Autophagy Mediates MMP-2 Expression in Glaucomatous Trabecular Meshwork Cells.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and starvation on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Methods: Primary TM cells were cultured and divided into three groups. The control group was treated with a normal medium, the 3-MA group was stimulated with 3-MA, and the starvation group received nutrient depletion by replacing the normal media with Earle's balanced salt solution. Cellular mRNA and protein were measured at different 3-MA concentrations and starvation time periods. The level of autophagy was accessed by monodansylcadaverine fluorescent staining and expression of specific autophagy-related genes, light chain 3 (LC3), and Beclin1. The effects of 3-MA and starvation on cell proliferation were determined with a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay kit. The mRNA and protein expression of LC3-II, Beclin1, and MMP-2 were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot, respectively. Results: Compared to the control group, starvation significantly upregulated LC3-II and Beclin1 in TM cells after 3 h of stimulation, which peaked at 6 h and 9 h, respectively. Increased MDC-labeled cells were also observed. Starvation downregulated the expression of MMP-2. On the contrary, 3-MA suppressed the activation of autophagy, as shown by the marked downregulation of LC3-II and Beclin1. The expressions of MMP-2 were higher in the 3-MA group compared to the control group, reaching a peak at a concentration of 5 mM. Conclusion: Autophagy may be involved in the pathogenesis of POAG via regulating the expression of MMP-2 and, subsequently, the deposition of the extracellular matrix.

Controllable assembly of a three-dimensional metal-organic supramolecular framework displaying hydrogen-bonding and π-π stacking interactions.

The complex poly[[aqua(µ2-phthalato-κ(2)O(1):O(2)){µ3-2-[3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetato-κ(4)N(2),N(3):O:O'}{µ2-2-[3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetato-κ(3)N(2),N(3):O}dizinc(II)] dihydrate], {[Zn2(C10H8N3O2)2(C8H4O4)(H2O)]·2H2O}n, has been prepared by solvothermal reaction of 2-[3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetonitrile (PPAN) with zinc(II). Under hydrothermal conditions, PPAN is hydrolyzed to 2-[3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetate (PPAA(-)). The structure determination reveals that the complex is a one-dimensional double chain containing cationic [Zn4(PPAA)4](4+) structural units, which are further extended by bridging phthalate ligands. The one-dimensional chains are extended into a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture via hydrogen-bonding and π-π stacking interactions.

[Efficacy of continuous propofol infusion via the common carotid artery for general anesthesia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of continuous propofol infusion via the common carotid artery for general anesthesia. METHODS: Forty adult patients scheduled for abdominal surgery were randomly assigned into 2 groups to receive propopol via the common carotid artery (IC group, n=20) or via the median cubital vein (IV group, n=20). Anesthesia was induced with intravenous administration of drugs and maintained with continuous propofol infusion via the common carotid artery or the median cubital vein, with the CSI stabilized at 40-/+5 till the end of the operation. During the anesthesia, intravenous injection of fentanyl (3 microg.kg(-1).h(-1)) and vecuronium (50 microg.kg(-1).h(-1)) were given intermittently to maintain the analgesia and muscular relaxation. The dose of propofol used, hemodynamics and recovery of the patients were observed. RESULTS: The dose of propofol used during the surgery to maintain a CSI of 40-/+5 was significantly lower in group IC and than in group IV (2.57-/+0.67 vs 5.72-/+1.37 mg.kg(-1).h(-1), P<0.01). In group IC, the blood pressure was elevated in more than half of the patients and in some cases, the elevation exceeded one third of baseline value and needed intervention with hypotensive drugs. In the IV group, the patients' blood pressure remained stable and varied within the amplitude of 15% of the baseline level. Recovery of spontaneous breathing and consciousness was more quickly in group IC than in group IV (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Loss of consciousness and nervous reflex can be achieved with propofol infusion via the common carotid artery, which reduces propofol dose by about 50% in comparison with intravenous infusion and allows more rapid recovery of spontaneous breath and consciousness.

[Thinking of acupuncture and moxibustion slimming treatment].

The authors think the problems at present in clinical slimming treatment of acupuncture and moxibustion, such as the effect and the mechanism of slimming, local slimming and the rebounding of body weight after slimming therapy, etc.. Holding that acupuncture and moxibustion slimming therapy has a certain therapeutic effect, acupuncture and moxibustion treatment combined with proper control of diet, sports and other methods can increase the effect of reduction of body weight; and regulation of the satiety center, inhibition of excessive appetite and mobilization of decomposition of lipids are an ideal program for acupuncture and moxibustion slimming treatment; local slimming treatment should be conducted on the basis of general slimming treatment; regulation of the satiety center, scientific combination of diet and proper sports are a tactic for prevention from rebounding of body weight after slimming treatment.

[Experimental study on expression of connexin 43 in meridians of rats].

OBJECTIVE: To probe into expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) in the meridians of the normal healthy rats and the relation among connexin, gap junction and meridian. METHODS: PowerVision two step immunohistochemical technique and ASIAS-2000 automatical image-scan analyzing system were used to detect Cx43 level and distribution in the Kidney and Bladder Meridians of the rat. RESULTS: Cx43 expressed mainly in skin epithelia, fibroblasts and mast cells of the subcutaneous layer. And expression of Cx43 in the Kidney and Bladder Meridians was significantly more than that in the control lines (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Connexins and gap junctions have close relation with the meridians, and the gap junctional intercellular communication may play an important role in the function of meridians.

[Protective effects of Huanglian Jiedu decoction on vascular endothelial function in type 2 diabetic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Huanglian Jiedu (HLJD) decoction on vascular endothelial function in type 2 diabetic rats and explore the prophylactic and therapeutic significance and pharmacological mechanism of HLJD decoction in type 2 diabetic angiopathic complication. METHOD: The murine type 2 diabetes models were induced by the intravenous injection of a small dose of streptozotocin plus high fat and high caloric laboratory chow. Then modeled diabetic animals were divided into model group, HLJD group, and aspirin group. Normal ratsfed with routine chow were designated as normal group. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were performed in all animals, 9 weeks after treatment, the changes of murine body weights and levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C), fasting serum insulin (FINS), serum nitric oxide, plasma endothelin, angiotensin II and von Willebrand Factor (vWF) were determined 10 weeks after treatment. RESULT: Compared with model group, the result of OGTT of HLJD group was improved. The levels of the body weights, TC, TG and ET in HLJD group weredecreased (P < 0.05). The levels of FBG,INS, AngII and vWFwere significantly decreased (P < 0.01), and the levels of HDL-C and NO were obviously increased (P < 0.05), as compared with those in model group. Furthermore. The levels of FBG was lower in HLJD group than in aspirin group (P < 0.05), and the improvement of TG, HDL-C,NO, AngII, vWF levels in HLJD group was more greatly than that in aspirin group, but there was not significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It is suggested by the present results that HLJD decoction could protect vascular endothelium from early damage in type 2 diabetes. The protective effects of HLJD on endothelium might be related to its ability of reducing the blood glucose, adjusting plasma lipids profiles, improving insulin resistance, antagonizing inflammatory mediators and inducing endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation.

[The effect of restrained stress on cardiac myocyte apoptosis in rats and Chinese herbs yixinning interference on it].

AIM: To discuss the effects of restrained stress on cardiac myocyte apoptosis of rats in the whole body, and the effect of anti-stress-induced cardiac myocyte injury treated by Chinese herbs yixinning. METHODS: Agarose gel electrophoresis and TUNEL are used to detect cardiac myocyte apoptosis. RESULTS: (1) When restrained stress 1,2,4 week, the DNA ladder of stress groups was negative, while in situ apoptosis of stress groups increased apparently compared with control group (P < 0.01). (3) The DNA ladder of yixinning groups was negative too, while in situ apoptosis of yixinning groups decreased compared with stress group (P < 0.05). (3) Whereas in distilled water group, the above indices had no statistical significance compared with stress model group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The restrained stress can induce cardiac myocyte apoptosis in rats. Chinese herbs "yixnning" can inhibit cardiac myocyte apoptosis, and have functions of anti-stress injury.