Particulate matter 2.5 triggers airway inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in mice by activating the SIRT2-p65 pathway / 医学前沿

Exposure to particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) potentially triggers airway inflammation by activating nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) is a key modulator in inflammation. However, the function and specific mechanisms of SIRT2 in PM2.5-induced airway inflammation are largely understudied. Therefore, this work investigated the mechanisms of SIRT2 in regulating the phosphorylation and acetylation of p65 influenced by PM2.5-induced airway inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Results revealed that PM2.5 exposure lowered the expression and activity of SIRT2 in bronchial tissues. Subsequently, SIRT2 impairment promoted the phosphorylation and acetylation of p65 and activated the NF-κB signaling pathway. The activation of p65 triggered airway inflammation, increment of mucus secretion by goblet cells, and acceleration of tracheal stenosis. Meanwhile, p65 phosphorylation and acetylation, airway inflammation, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness were deteriorated in SIRT2 knockout mice exposed to PM2.5. Triptolide (a specific p65 inhibitor) reversed p65 activation and ameliorated PM2.5-induced airway inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Our findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the toxicity of PM2.5 exposure. Triptolide inhibition of p65 phosphorylation and acetylation could be an effective therapeutic approach in averting PM2.5-induced airway inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Current status of the research on liver injury caused by SARS-CoV-2 / 临床肝胆病杂志

The outbreak of viral pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Wuhan, China poses a major threat to public health. SARS-CoV-2 is highly homologous to severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus, all of which may cause severe respiratory symptoms. In addition to respiratory symptoms, a considerable proportion of patients with SARS and SARS-CoV-2 infection have varying degrees of liver injury, but their epidemiological features and pathogenesis remains unclear. This article summarizes the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 and elaborates on the current status of the research on SARS-CoV-2, possible mechanism of liver injury caused by SARS-CoV-2, and effective treatment regimens, so as to provide a reference and new research ideas for the prevention and treatment of liver injury in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The protective effects and potential mechanisms of Chinese herbal medicines on acute lung injury/acute re-spiratory distress syndrome / 医学研究生学报

There has been no specific therapeutic measures for acute lung injury /acute respiratory distress syndrome ( ALI/ARDS) , a disease of high fatality rate.Besides having good curative effects for the cardiovascular system diseases, cancer, obesity and preventing aging, traditional Chinese herbal medicines also have obvious therapeutic effects on ALI/ARDS.In this paper, we summari-zes the protection and the underlying mechanisms of traditional Chinese herbal medicines on ALI/ARDS.

Study on preventive effect of volatile oil extracted from Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Seeds on postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To study the preventive effect of volatile oil extracted from Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Seeds on the formation of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion. Methods Thirty-eihgt SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (10), operation group (14) and volatile oil treated group (14):sham operation group was only operated by abdominal incision, the rest two groups were established animal model of abdominal adhesion by rubbing the procussus vermiformis of cecum with dry sterile gauze, clamping and scuffing abdominal wall. Half of rats were separately killed on day 7 and day 14 after surgery, respectively.The degree of adhesion was evaluated according to Phillips 5-scale grade and the feature of this model. Results The scores of intra-abdominal adhesion were significantly lower in the carbachol group than those in operation group both on 7 d and 14 d(P＜0.01 ). Conclusion Volatile oil extracted from Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Seeds may take a significant role in the prevention of postoperative abdominal adhesion in rats.

Efects of fennel extracts on gastrointestinal movement of atropine-induced gastrointestinal motility disorder in mice / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To observe the effects of fennel essential oil and water extracts (distilled oil is not included) on gastrointestinal motility disorder caused by atropine in mice.Methods Kunming mice were randomly divided into blank control group, model group atropine, water extracts group, fennel essential oil group, mosapride group. Blank control group and model group atropine were orally administered with normal saline of 0.2 ml/10 g. Water extracts group was orally administered with Water extracts (75 mg/ml) of 0.2 ml/10 g. Fennel essential oil group was orally administered with Essential oil of 300 mg/kg. Mosapride group was orally administered with mosapride(15 mg/ml). Subjects were orally treated for 3 d. After fasting for 18 h, blank control group was intraperitoneally injected saline on the fourth day, and other groups were injected atropine sulfate injection to induce animal model of gastrointestinal motility disorder. Blue dextran(BD)2000 was used to observe the gastric emptying rate and rate of intestinal propulsion. Results Gastric emptying rates of fennel essential oil group, mosapride group, water extracts group and model group atropine were respectively(91.97±4.42)%, (90.26±5.81)%, (80.01±6.27)%,(72.88±9.13)%,and intestinal pushing rates were respectively(53.32±7.49)%,(53.02±9.13)%,(44.16±7.68)%,(37.52±6.19)%.Fennel essential oil, mosapride and water extracts enhanced the gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion in gastrointestinal motility disorder animal caused by atropine(P values were 0.004、0.001、0.004、0.003、0.025、0.015),where Fennel essential oil and mosapride were superior to the water,extracts(P values were 0.000、0.002、0.001、0.001).Conclusion Fennel extracts may promote gastrointestinal movement of atropine-induced gastrointestinal motility disorder in mice and fennel essential oil is the main active ingredient.