Synthesis of Quercetin-Acid Esters and Its Reduction of H2 O2 -Triggered PC12 Cells Damage by Down-Regulating ROS.

Quercetin is a kind of polyphenolic flavonoid compounds which has perfect antioxidant properties. However, quercetin is not available in many situations due to its poor bioavailability. In this work, the QAEs with better solubility and even stronger antioxidant properties were synthesized, through the esterification between quercetin and the chlorinated cinnamic acid or its derivatives, whose chlorination were achieved by using SOCl2 . The protective effects of the QAEs were evaluated by the H2 O2 -induced apoptosis experiment in rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) and its ability to remove ROS generated by oxidative stress. Compared with the original quercetin group, the QAEs groups showed much improved cell viability and capability of removing ROS, which means their higher bioavailability than the parent.

Myostain is involved in ginsenoside Rb1-mediated anti-obesity.

CONTEXT: Obesity, one of the major public health problems worldwide, has attracted increasing attention. Ginsenoside Rb1 is the most abundant active component of Panax ginseng C.A.Mey (Araliaceae) and is reported to have beneficial effects on obesity and diabetes. However, the mechanisms by which Rb1 regulates obesity remain to be explored. OBJECTIVE: This paper intends to further explore the mechanism of Rb1 in regulating obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The C57BL/6 obese mice were divided into two groups: the control (CTR) and Rb1. The CTR group [intraperitoneally (ip) administered with saline] and the Rb1 group (ip administered with Rb1, 40 mg/kg/d) were treated daily for four weeks. In vitro, Rb1 (0, 10, 20, 40 µM) was added to differentiated C2C12 cells and Rb1 (0, 20, 40 µM) was added to 3T3-L1 cells. After 24 h, total RNA and protein from C2C12 cells and 3T3-L1 cells were used to detect myostatin (MSTN) and fibronectin type III domain-containing 5 (FNDC5) expression. RESULTS: Rb1 reduced the body weight and adipocyte size. Improved glucose tolerance and increased basic metabolic activity were also found in Rb1 treated mice. MSTN was downregulated in differentiated C2C12 cells, 3T3-L1 cells and adipose tissues upon Rb1 treatment. FNDC5 was increased after Rb1 treatment. However, MSTN overexpression attenuated Rb1-mediated decrease accumulation of lipid droplets in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. DISCUSSION & CONCLUSIONS: Rb1 may ameliorate obesity in part through the MSTN/FNDC5 signalling pathway. Our results showed that Rb1 can be used as an effective drug in the treatment of human obesity.

Weak UVB Irradiation Promotes Macrophage M2 Polarization and Stabilizes Atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic cardiovascular disease endangering human health and is one of the most common causes of myocardial infarction and stroke. Macrophage polarization plays a vital role in regulating plaque stability. As an important component of sunlight, ultraviolet B (UVB) has been proven to promote vitamin D and nitric oxide synthesis. This research used an AS model in ApoE-/- mice to study the effects of UVB on macrophage polarization and atherosclerotic plaque stability. In vitro, UVB irradiation increased arginase-I (Arg-I, M2 macrophage) and macrophage mannose receptor (CD206) expression, while the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) (M1 macrophage) and CD86 was decreased. UVB promoted Akt phosphorylation in vitro. In vivo, UVB irradiation promoted the stabilization of atherosclerotic lesion plaques, while the phenotype of M2 macrophages increased. Our research provides new evidence for UVB in preventing and treating atherosclerosis.

Prognostic factors and survival outcome of primary pulmonary acinar cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The objective of our study was to investigate the epidemiologic characteristics and prognostic factors in patients with pulmonary acinar cell carcinoma (PACC). METHODS: PACC patients diagnosed between 1975 and 2016 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The trend in PACC incidence was assessed using joinpoint regression software. Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to identify the independent prognostic factors for OS and DSS. Nomograms to predict survival possibilities were constructed based on the identified independent prognostic factors. RESULTS: A total of 2918 patients were identified with PACC. The mean age was 65.2 ± 8.95 years with a female to male of 1.6:1. The incidence of PACC steadily increased by an annual percentage change (APC) of 3.2% (95% CI 2.1-4.4, p < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age, gender, race, stage, grade, tumor size, number of positive lymph nodes, surgery, and chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for survival. Nomograms specifically for PACC were constructed to predict 1- and 5-year OS and DSS possibility, respectively. The concordance index (C-index) and calibration plots showed the established nomograms had robust and accurate performance. CONCLUSION: PACC was rare but the incidence has been steadily increasing over the past four decades. Survival has improved in recent years. Surgery or chemotherapy could provide better OS and DSS. The established nomograms specifically for PACC were robust and accurate in predicting 1- and 5-year OS and DSS.

Downregulation of DNMT3a expression by RNAi and its effect on NF-κBs expression of thymic epithelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the characteristics of DNA methyltransferase 3a (DNMT3a) in thymoma associated Myasthenia Gravis reveal its transcriptional regulator network as while as analyze the effect of DNMT3a on Rel/ nuclear factor-kappaB family (RelA/RelB) and its downstream autoimmune regulatory factor (Aire). METHODS: Tissues of 30 patients with thymoma, with or without myasthenia gravis (MG), were collected and the DNMT3a protein expression were evaluated through immunohistochemistry. We performed mRNA expression profiling microarray detection and analysis, and integrated the analysis by constructing protein-protein interaction networks and the integration with other database. We identified molecular difference between low and high DNMT3a in the thymoma by heatmap. We also performed PCR validation in thymoma tissues. The DNMT3a-shRNA plasmid was transfected into TEC cells, and these cells were treated with 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine, a blocker of DNMT3a. After the down-regulation of DNMT3a in TEC cells, the transcript and protein levels of RelA, RelB, Aire, and CHRNA3 were evaluated by western blotting. In addition, changes in gene expression profiles were screened through microarray technology. We performed differential gene analysis in the thymoma cohort by heatmap with R (v.4.3.0) software. RESULTS: In 30 matched tissue specimens, the expression of DNMT3a protein in thymoma with MG was lower than that in thymoma. Through mRNA expression profiling analysis, we constructed a co-expression network of DNMT3a and found direct interaction between IKZF1 and DNMT3a, and this co-expression relationship was overlappted with Cistrome DB database. We found up-regulation of 149 mRNAs and repression of 177 mRNAs in thymoma with MG compared with thymoma. Gene ontology and pathway analysis show the involvement of a multitude of genes in the mis-regulation of MG-related pathways. RNA interference significantly reduced the level of mRNA of DNMT3a, which proved that plasmid DNMT3a was effective. In comparison to the control group, the levels of DNMT3a, Aire, and CHRNA3 mRNA and protein in TEC cells transfected with DNMT3a-shRNA interference plasmid were significantly decreased, while the expression level of RelA and RelA/RelB was significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals the DNMT3a-NF-κB pathway has a major effect on MG, and can be used as a marker for diagnosis as well as a target for MG treatment.

Dickkopf-1 promotes Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell proliferation and migration through upregulating UHRF1 during Cyclic Stretch application.

Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) was recently shown to play an important role in cardiovascular disease. The aim of this work was to assess the role of DKK1 in the regulation of smooth muscle cell function by mechanical stretch and the mechanisms underlying this process. Methods: Wild-type C57BL/6J mice were subjected to sham or abdominal aortic constriction (AAC) surgery. The expression level of DKK1 was examined by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting. Analyses of DKK1 function in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration were performed. Transcriptome sequencing analysis was performed to identify the differentially expressed genes and pathways regulated by DKK1. Smooth muscle-specific Dkk1 knockout mice were used to confirm the function of DKK1 in vivo. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was used to confirm DNA-protein interactions. Promoter luciferase analysis was used to detect transcription factor activity. Results: We found that AAC significantly increased DKK1 protein levels in the thoracic aorta and coronary artery in vivo. In vitro, high-level stretch (18%) induced the expression of DKK1 in VSMCs. Knocking down DKK1 inhibited VSMC proliferation and migration under high-level stretch (18%). We identified ubiquitin-like containing PHD and RING finger domains 1 (UHRF1) as a target gene of DKK1. Knockdown of UHRF1 with small interfering RNAs partially reversed the regulatory effect of recombinant DKK1 on VSMCs. Specific deletion of DKK1 in VSMCs was sufficient to attenuate the AAC-induced upregulation of UHRF1, thickening of arterial media and increase in VSMC proliferation. Furthermore, we found that DKK1 regulated UHRF1 expression through the YAP-TEAD pathway. TEAD1 and TEAD4 bound directly to the promoter of UHRF1, and blocking the YAP-TEAD interaction inhibited UHRF1 upregulation due to DKK1. Conclusions: This study reveals that DKK1 mediates the mechanical stretch regulation of smooth muscle cell function by modulating UHRF1 expression through the YAP-TEAD pathway.

[The role of ZFP580 in the regulation of rat VSMCs migration by ATRA and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the probable roles of the novel C2H2 zinc finger transcription factor ZFP580 on all-transretinoic acid (ATRA)-regulated VSMCs migration and underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Rat aortic VSMCs were isolated, cultured and identified. VSMCs were treated with ATRA at the concentrations of 0, 5, 10 or 20 µmol/L for 24 hours. The migration ability of VSMCs was observed in each group and compared with control group which was treated by 0 µmol/L ATRA. The mRNA and protein expression levels of ZFP580 were detected by QPCR and Western blot. ZFP580 protein expression in VSMCs was detected under ATRA stimulation when ERK inhibitor PD98059 was used to inhibit the protein expression of ERK. Adenovirus transfection technology was used to obtain VSMCs with overexpression or low expression of ZFP580, and QPCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and ZFP580. RESULTS: On the 10th day of VSMCs culture, immunofluorescence showed that SM22 alpha antibody, as a specific marker of smooth muscle cells, was positive. Compared to the control group, VSMCs migration was reduced by 32%, 43%, and 59% in the group of 5, 10, and 20 µmol/L ATRA pretreatment. Compared with the control group, VSMCs treated by 20 µmol/L ATRA reduced the cell migration by 49%, 36% and 22% at 24, 48 and 72 h. The mRNA and protein expression levels of ZFP580 were increased with the increase of ATRA stimulation solubility and the extension of stimulation time. ERK was increased significantly after 15 min of ATRA stimulation. Pretreatment with ERK inhibitor PD98059 (20 µmol/L) inhibited the expression of ERK protein and reduced the expression of ATRA-induced ZFP580 protein. Overexpression of ZFP580 inhibited the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9, whereas down-expression of ZFP580 promoted the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9. CONCLUSION: ATRA increased the expression of ZFP580 through the ERK signaling pathway, while ZFP580 was involved in ATRA's inhibition of VSMCs migration by affecting the expression of downstream MMP-2 and MMP-9.

[Differential expression of immediately early gene c-fos in THP-1 macrophage subtype polarization].

Objective: To investigate the expression of immediate early gene c-fos in THP-1 macrophage subtype polarization. Methods: PMA was used to induce the polarization of THP-1 monocytes to macrophages, and the expression of c-fos in the polarization process was observed. After PMA treatment, LPS or IL-4 were used alone to induce the polarization of THP-1 macrophages to the M1 or M2 subtypes. Subsequently, real-time quantitative PCR and western-blot were used to analyze the changes in the expressions of the cell subtype markers CD274, CD86 and CD163. Meanwhile, the expression of c-fos in the polarization process was observed dynamically. Results: The levels of c-fos protein and mRNA expressions were up-regulated during PMA-induced polarization of THP-1 monocytes. The protein and mRNA expressions of c-fos were significantly decreased during the polarization of THP-1 cells into M1 macrophages induced by LPS. The specific markers showed the characteristics of M1 macrophages polarization at 24 h (CD86 protein increased, CD274 and CD163 protein decreased). The protein and mRNA expressions of c-fos were significantly increased during the polarization of THP-1 cells into M2 macrophages induced by IL-4. The specific markers showed the characteristics of M2 macrophages polarization at 24 h (CD86 protein decreased, CD274 and CD163 protein increased). Conclusion: C-fos plays an important role in the polarization of THP-1 monocytes to macrophages. Moreover, it may be involved in the regulation of macrophage subtype polarization, by inhibiting the formation of M1 macrophage and promoting the polarization of macrophages to the M2 subtype.

Two macamide extracts relieve physical fatigue by attenuating muscle damage in mice.

BACKGROUND: Macamides, the main active components contained in maca, have attracted increasing attention due to their various bioactivities. In this study, crude macamide extract (CME) and purified macamide extract (PME) were prepared by enzyme-assisted extraction and macroporous resin separation, and the anti-fatigue effects of CME and PME were evaluated in a forced swimming model. RESULTS: The composition analysis results revealed that both CME and PME mainly contain eight kinds of macamide. Based on the results of a weight-loaded forced swimming test, compared with a control group, CME and and PME groups could prolong exhaustive swimming time, increase levels of liver glycogen (LG) and muscle glycogen (MG), accelerate fatty acid oxidation in serum to provide energy, eliminate the accumulation of blood lactic acid (BLA) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and decrease the serum biomarkers for muscle damage, such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK). Histological analysis also indicated that CME and PME attenuated damage to skeletal muscle and the myocardium in mice during exercise. CONCLUSION: Two macamide extracts have a beneficial effect on relieving physical fatigue by attenuating the damage of skeletal muscle and myocardium during exercise, and a better effect was observed in the PME group. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

The role of ZFP580, a novel zinc finger protein, in TGF-mediated cytoprotection against chemical hypoxia­induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiac myocytes.

Zing finger protein 580 (ZFP580) is a novel Cys2-His2 zinc-finger transcription factor that has an anti-apoptotic role in myocardial cells. It is involved in the endothelial transforming growth factor­ß1 (TGF­ß1) signal transduction pathway as a mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad)2 binding partner. The aim of the present study was to determine the involvement of ZFP580 in TGF­ß1­mediated cytoprotection against chemical hypoxia­induced apoptosis, using H9c2 cardiac myocytes. Hypoxia was chemically induced in H9c2 myocardial cells by exposure to cobalt chloride (CoCl2). In response to hypoxia, cell viability was decreased, whereas the expression levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1α and ZFP580 were increased. Pretreatment with TGF­ß1 attenuated CoCl2­induced cell apoptosis and upregulated ZFP580 protein expression; however, these effects could be suppressed by SB431542, an inhibitor of TGF­ß type I receptor and Smad2/3 phosphorylation. Furthermore, suppression of ZFP580 expression by RNA interference reduced the anti­apoptotic effects of TGF­ß1 and thus increased CoCl2­induced apoptosis. B­cell lymphoma (Bcl)­2­associated X protein/Bcl­2 ratio, reactive oxygen species generation and caspase­3 activation were also increased following ZFP580 inactivation. In conclusion, these results indicate that ZFP580 is a component of the TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway, and is involved in the protective effects of TGF­ß1 against chemical hypoxia­induced cell apoptosis, through inhibition of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

SILAC-based proteomic analysis reveals that salidroside antagonizes cobalt chloride-induced hypoxic effects by restoring the tricarboxylic acid cycle in cardiomyocytes.

Hypoxic status alters the energy metabolism and induces cell injury in cardiomyocytes, and it further triggers the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases. Our previous studies have shown that salidroside (SAL) exhibits anti-hypoxic activity. However, the mechanisms remain obscure. In the present study, we successfully screened 92 different expression proteins in CoCl2-induced hypoxic conditions, 106 different expression proteins in the SAL-mediated anti-hypoxic group were compared with the hypoxic group using quantitative proteomics strategy, respectively. We confirmed that SAL showed a positive protective function involving the acetyl-CoA metabolic, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle using bioinformatics analysis. We also demonstrated that SAL plays a critical role in restoring the TCA cycle and in protecting cardiomyocytes from oxidative injury via up-regulation expressions of PDHE1-B, ACO2, SUCLG1, SUCLG2 and down-regulation of MDH2. SAL also inhibited H9c2 cell apoptosis by inhibiting the activation of pro-apoptotic molecules caspase 3 and caspase 9 as well as activation of the anti-apoptotic molecular Bcl-2. Additionally, SAL also improved mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intercellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) accumulation and inhibited the excessive consumption of ATP in H9c2 cells.

Feasibility and efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a respective study of 116 cases from a single institution.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of combined chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone in elderly patients with esophageal carcinoma to identify the best method of treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixteen patients with esophageal carcinoma aged 70 and older who received definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy entered the study. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and treatment- related toxicities were assessed. RESULTS: The median OS of the overall population was 17.9 months. For patients treated with cCRT, sCRT and radiotherapy alone, the median OS was 22.3 months, 18.0 months and 12.4 months respectively(P=0.044). Median OS for patients treated with radiotherapy dose ≥60Gy and <60Gy was 20.2 months and 10.9 months respectively (p=0.017). By univariate analysis, Chemoradiotherapy (include cCRT and sCRT) and radiotherapy dose ≥60Gy were found to achieve higher survival rates compared with radiotherapy alone and radiotherapy dose <60Gy (P=0.015, P=0.017). By multivariate analysis, chemoradiotherapy (HR=1.645, P=0.022) and radiotherapy dose ≥60Gy (HR=1.642, P=0.025) were identified as independent prognostic factors of OS. CONCLUSIONS: Definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy could be considered as a feasible and effective treatment in esophageal carcinoma patients aged 70 and older. Radiotherapy dose 60Gy is an effective treatment option compared with standard dose radiotherapy, while higher doses are not beneficial to improve survival.

Impaired translocation of GLUT4 results in insulin resistance of atrophic soleus muscle.

Whether or not the atrophic skeletal muscle induces insulin resistance and its mechanisms are not resolved now. The antigravity soleus muscle showed a progressive atrophy in 1-week, 2-week, and 4-week tail-suspended rats. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp showed that the steady-state glucose infusion rate was lower in 4-week tail-suspended rats than that in the control rats. The glucose uptake rates under insulin- or contraction-stimulation were significantly decreased in 4-week unloaded soleus muscle. The key protein expressions of IRS-1, PI3K, and Akt on the insulin-dependent pathway and of AMPK, ERK, and p38 on the insulin-independent pathway were unchanged in unloaded soleus muscle. The unchanged phosphorylation of Akt and p38 suggested that the activity of two signal pathways was not altered in unloaded soleus muscle. The AS160 and GLUT4 expression on the common downstream pathway also was not changed in unloaded soleus muscle. But the GLUT4 translocation to sarcolemma was inhibited during insulin stimulation in unloaded soleus muscle. The above results suggest that hindlimb unloading in tail-suspended rat induces atrophy in antigravity soleus muscle. The impaired GLUT4 translocation to sarcolemma under insulin stimulation may mediate insulin resistance in unloaded soleus muscle and further affect the insulin sensitivity of whole body in tail-suspended rats.

ZFP580, a novel zinc-finger transcription factor, is involved in cardioprotection of intermittent high-altitude hypoxia against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: ZFP580 is a novel C2H2 type zinc-finger transcription factor recently identified by our laboratory. We previously showed that ZFP580 may be involved in cell survival and growth. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether ZFP580 is involved in the cardioprotective effects of intermittent high-altitude (IHA) hypoxia against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. METHODS AND RESULTS: After rats were subjected to myocardial ischemia for 30 min followed by reperfusion, ZFP580 expression in the left ventricle was measured. ZFP580 protein expression was found to be up-regulated within 1 h and decreased at 2 h after reperfusion. Comparing normoxic and IHA hypoxia-adapted rats (5000 m, 6 h day-1, 6 weeks) following I/R injury (30 min ischemia and 2 h reperfusion), we found that adaptation to IHA hypoxia attenuated infarct size and plasma leakage of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase-MB. In addition, ZFP580 expression in the myocardium was up-regulated by IHA hypoxia. Consistent with this result, ZFP580 expression was found to be significantly increased in cultured H9c2 myocardial cells in the hypoxic preconditioning group compared with those in the control group following simulated I/R injury (3 h simulated ischemic hypoxia and 2 h reoxygenation). To determine the role of ZFP580 in apoptosis, lentivirus-mediated gene transfection was performed in H9c2 cells 72 h prior to simulated I/R exposure. The results showed that ZFP580 overexpression significantly inhibited I/R-induced apoptosis and caspase-3 activation. H9c2 cells were pretreated with or without PD98059, an inhibitor of ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and Western blot results showed that PD98059 (10 µM) markedly suppressed I/R-induced up-regulation of ZFP580 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that the cardioprotective effect of IHA hypoxia against I/R injury is mediated via ZFP580, a downstream target of ERK1/2 signaling with anti-apoptotic roles in myocardial cells.

High-salt intake induced visceral adipose tissue hypoxia and its association with circulating monocyte subsets in humans.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of blood oxygen level dependent magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-MRI) in evaluating human visceral adipose tissue (AT) oxygenation induced by salt loading/depletion and its association with changes in circulating monocyte subsets. METHODS: A dietary intervention study was performed in 23 healthy volunteers beginning with a 3-day usual diet followed by a 7-day high-salt diet (≥15 g NaCl/day) and a 7-day low-salt diet (≤5 g NaCl/day). BOLD-MRI was used to evaluate oxygenation in perirenal AT. RESULTS: Salt loading led to a consistent AT hypoxia (increase in the R2* signal, 25.2 ± 0.90 s(-1) vs. baseline 21.5 ± 0.71 s(-1) , P < 0.001) and suppression of circulating renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), as well as an expansion of the CD14++CD16+ monocytes and monocyte pro-inflammatory activation. In salt depletion phase, the hypoxic state of AT and the expanded CD14++CD16+ monocyte pool were regressed to baseline levels, accompanied by a rebound activation of RAAS. Moreover, AT oxygenation level was positively correlated with the CD14++CD16+ monocytes (r = 0.419, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This work provides proof-of-principle evidence supporting the feasibility of BOLD-MRI in monitoring visceral AT oxygenation in humans induced by dietary salt loading/depletion. In addition, the CD14++CD16+ monocytes may participate in the pathogenesis of high-salt intake induced AT hypoxia.

[The effects of intermittent hypobaric hypoxia on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and ZFP580 expression].

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate whether ZFP580 is involved in the cardioprotective effects of intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IHH) against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. METHODS: Thirty two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 16): normoxia control group and IHH preconditioning group. Rats in IHH group were exposed in a hypobaric chamber (equivalent to an altitude of 5 000 m) for a 6 h period each day for 42 d. Plasma was collected and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) were measured after 2 h of myocardial I/R injury. ZFP580 protein expression in myocardial tissue was assayed by Western blot. Other 8 rats in each group were used to evaluate I/R-induced cardiac infarction by TTC staining. Lentivirus-mediated gene transfection was performed in H9c2 cells 72 h prior to simulated ischemia/reperfusion (SI/R) exposure. The degree of cell apoptosis was determined by annexin V/7-AAD staining and flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS: Compared with normoxia control group, adaptation to IHH attenuated infarct size and plasma leakage of LDH and CK-MB. In addition, ZFP580 expression in the myocardium was up-regulated by IHH. The results of gene transfection showed that ZFP580 overexpression significantly inhibited cells apoptosis induced by SI/R. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that the cardioprotective effect of IHH against I/R injury is mediated via ZFP580, a novel transcription factor, with anti-apoptotic roles in myocardial cells.

[Expression of Foxa2 and its early alarm value of cancerous in gastric polyps].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of Foxa2 in different pathological types of gastric polyps and examine the correlation with cancerous risk. METHODS: According to computerize random number, a total of 2000 patients were selected to receive endoscopic biopsy during November 2011 to October 2012. Tissues were harvested from 170 with gastric polyps and suspicious cancerous lesions and their histological types detected. There were hyperplastic polyps(n = 35), adenomatous polyps(n = 31), fundic gland polyps(n = 42), advanced gastric cancer tissues (n = 32)and normal gastric mucosa tissues (n = 30). ABC immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription(RT)-PCR were employed to detect the expression of Foxa2 in these different types of tissues. Imagepro plus was used for quantitative and statistical analyses. RESULTS: A low-level expression of Foxa2 was 3.6% ± 1.3% in normal gastric mucosa group. And its expreesion gradually higher in proliferative inflammatory polyp group(33.1% ± 8.0%), adenomatous polyp group (71.4% ± 1.7%) and gastric cancer group(96.3% ± 0.9%, all P < 0.05). Its expression was 35.6% ± 5.6% in fundic gland polyps, similar to that of proliferative inflammatory polyp group (P > 0.05), it was markedly lower than the gastric cancer group (P < 0.05) and higher than the normal gastric mucosa group (P < 0.05). Correlation analyses of clinicopathological parameters showed that no significant correlation existed between its expression and patient gender, age, predilection, Helicobacter. pylori infection or proton pump inhibitor used (all P > 0.05). However, the size of polyps was correlated with Foxa2 (rs = 0.69, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression level of Foxa2 in different types of gastric polyps may be used as a clinical predicator of polyps risk.

The role of microRNAs in lung cancer progression.

Lung cancer is a heterogeneous disease with currently still unknown mechanisms of development. Besides genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, microRNAs (miRNAs) have recently been discovered as one of the crucial players in lung carcinogenesis through posttranscriptional regulation of tumor suppressor and oncogenes. A substantial number of deregulated miRNAs have been revealed in lung cancer, and the biological significance of those miRNAs has been confirmed in multiple functional experiments. A growing number of studies suggest involvement of miRNAs in various steps of lung carcinogenesis. Great biological stability of miRNAs opens novel fields in biomarker research with potential clinical implementation in screening, diagnosis and prediction of prognosis. In this review, we provide the basic knowledge of miRNA biogenesis and discuss extensively the role of miRNAs in lung carcinogenesis, including potential translational clinical implementations.

[Four-week simulated weightlessness increases the expression of atrial natriuretic peptide in the myocardium].

One of the major circulatory changes that occur in human during space flight and simulated weightlessness is a cerebral redistribution of body fluids, which is accompanied by an increase of blood volume in the upper body. Therefore, atrial myocardium should increase the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), but the researches lack common conclusion until now. The present study was to investigate the expression level of ANP in simulated weightlessness rats, and to confirm the changes of ANP by observing the associated proteins of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs). The tail-suspended rat model was used to simulate weightlessness. Western blots were carried out to examine the expression levels of ANP and SNARE proteins in atrial and left ventricular myocardium. The results showed that ANP expression in atrial myocardium showed an increase in 4-week tail-suspended rats (SUS) compared with that in the synchronous control rats (CON). We only detected a trace amount of ANP in the left ventricular myocardium of the CON, but found an enhanced expression of ANP in left ventricular myocardium of the SUS. Expression of VAMP-1/2 (vesicle associated SNARE) increased significantly in both atrial and left ventricular myocardium in the SUS compared with that in the CON. There was no difference of the expression of syntaxin-4 (target compartment associated SNARE) between the CON and SUS, but the expression of SNAP-23 showed an increase in atrial myocardium of the SUS compared with that in the CON. Synip and Munc-18c as regulators of SNAREs did not show significant difference between the CON and SUS. These results suggest that the expression of ANP shows an increase in atrial and left ventricular myocardium of 4-week tail-suspended rats. Enhanced expression of VAMP-1/2 associated with ANP vesicles confirms the increased expression of ANP in atrial and left ventricular myocardium.

Variation in dietary salt intake induces coordinated dynamics of monocyte subsets and monocyte-platelet aggregates in humans: implications in end organ inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Monocyte activation and tissue infiltration are quantitatively associated with high-salt intake induced target organ inflammation. We hypothesized that high-salt challenge would induce the expansion of CD14++CD16+ monocytes, one of the three monocyte subsets with a pro-inflammatory phenotype, that is associated with target organ inflammation in humans. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A dietary intervention study was performed in 20 healthy volunteers, starting with a 3-day usual diet and followed with a 7-day high-salt diet (≥15 g NaCl/day), and a 7-day low-salt diet (≤5 g NaCl/day). The amounts of three monocyte subsets ("classical" CD14++CD16-, "intermediate" CD14++CD16+ and "non-classical" CD14+CD16++) and their associations with monocyte-platelet aggregates (MPAs) were measured by flow cytometry. Blood oxygen level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-MRI) was used to evaluate renal hypoxia. Switching to a high-salt diet resulted in CD14++ monocyte activation and a rapid expansion of CD14++CD16+ subset and MPAs, with a reciprocal decrease in the percentages of CD14++CD16- and CD14+CD16++ subsets. In vitro study using purified CD14++ monocytes revealed that elevation in extracellular [Na(+)] could lead to CD14++CD16+ expansion via a ROS dependent manner. In addition, high-salt intake was associated with progressive hypoxia in the renal medulla (increased R2* signal) and enhanced urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) excretion, indicating a temporal and spatial correlation between CD14++CD16+ subset and renal inflammation. The above changes could be completely reversed by a low-salt diet, whereas blood pressure levels remained unchanged during dietary intervention. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The present work demonstrates that short-term increases in dietary salt intake could induce the expansion of CD14++CD16+ monocytes, as well as an elevation of MPAs, which might be the underlying cellular basis of high-salt induced end organ inflammation and potential thromboembolic risk. In addition, this process seems largely unrelated to changes in blood pressure levels. This finding provides novel links between dietary salt intake, innate immunity and end organ inflammation.