Abnormal expression and clinical significance of surface receptors on natural killer cells in the peripheral blood of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Natural killer (NK) cells typically function as frontline lymphocytes against cancer although little is known about their engagement in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study compared the performance and activity of NK cells and their subsets in the peripheral blood of NSCLC sufferers and healthy participants. In total, 67 healthy controls (40 males; 59.7%) and 56 patients with NSCLC (35 males; 62.5%) were included (mean age, 66.6 years). Flow cytometry identified NK cells and their subpopulations in external blood, and the total number, proportion, activity, surface activating, and inhibitory receptor expression levels were determined. Results showed that NK cell surface receptors CD107a, IFN-γ, and TNF-α activity were markedly reduced in lung cancer patients compared to healthy controls. The number and ratio of NK cells within the lymphocyte population were decreased in patients. The concentration of the inhibitory receptors TIGIT, TIM-3, CD96, PD-1, and Siglec-7 were increased in patients, whereas the expression level of the activating receptor NKP30 was decreased. Moreover, the expression levels of IFN-γ, TIGIT, CD96, PD-1, and TIM-3 were correlated with the clinical phase of NSCLC. These findings suggest that surface receptors from NK cells are likely to be involved in the evolution of NSCLC.

Baicalin attenuates amyloid ß oligomers induced memory deficits and mitochondria fragmentation through regulation of PDE-PKA-Drp1 signalling.

RATIONALE: Mitochondrial fragmentation contributes to the initiation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Baicalin plays a significant role in rescuing mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the effect of baicalin treatment on the modulation of mitochondrial fragmentation has not yet been assessed. OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of baicalin on memory and understand its mechanism of action. RESULTS: Baicalin treatment significantly reversed the altered learning and memory behaviours in AD mouse model. We found that baicalin treatment significantly improved the levels of microtubule association protein-2 and enhanced the expression of synaptophysin and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95). Moreover, treatment with baicalin reversed amyloid-ß oligomer (AßO)-induced abnormalities in the succinate dehydrogenase complex iron sulphur subunit B (SDHB) and cytochrome c oxidase components I (COXI) and mitochondrial fragmentation in the hippocampus. Further, we found that baicalin decreased the PDE4 levels and upregulated the levels of phosphorylated Ser157 site of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (pVASPs157) and phosphorylated Ser637 site of mitochondrial dynamin-related protein 1 (pDrp1S637). Moreover, in AßO-treated HT-22 cells, H89 inhibited the effect of baicalin on PSD95, mitochondrial fragmentation, SDHB and COXI, PDE4, pVASPs157, and pDrp1S637. CONCLUSION: The effect of baicalin on memory improvement may be due to improved synaptic plasticity, mitochondrial fragmentation, and rescue of dysfunction via the inhibition of PDE4, which leads to activation of pDrp1S637 in the AßO-induced model.

[Hyper-spectral inversion of soil organic carbon content under different land use types]. / ä¸åŒåœŸåœ°åˆ©ç”¨ç±»åž‹ä¸‹åœŸå£¤æœ‰æœºç¢³å«é‡çš„é«˜å ‰è°±åæ¼”.

Soil spectral information differ across different land use types. Understanding the appropriate modeling methods for different land use types can efficiently and accurately invert soil organic carbon content. We collected 248 samples from forest, cultivated land and orchard in the north-central part of Fengxin County, Jiangxi Province. First, original spectral reflectance curves were reduced noises with Savitzky-Golay (SG) filter. Then 10 nm resampling method was used to reduce data redundancy. We used partial least squares regression (PLSR), support vector machine regression based on grid search method (GRID-SVR) and support vector machine regression based on particle swarm optimization (PSO-SVR) to construct the inversion models of soil organic carbon content. The results showed that when constructing a single land-use type inversion model, RPD of the PLSR method for forest, cultivated land and orchard was 1.536, 1.315 and 1.493 respectively. RPD of GRID-SVR method increased 0.150, 0.183 and 0.502 than that of PLSR method, respectively. The PSO-SVR method had higher accuracy, with RPD being 20.8%, 10.0% and 2.7% higher than GRID-SVR for forest, cultivated land and orchard, respectively. The RPD of forest and orchard were 2.036 and 2.049, which well predicts soil organic carbon. The RPD of cultivated land was 1.647, which can make a rough estimate of soil organic carbon. The PSO-SVR model had the best prediction effect on soil organic carbon of different land use types, with the prediction accuracy of soil organic carbon content in forest and orchard being close and higher than cultivated land. Soil nutrition diffed acorss different land use types, which affect the prediction of soil organic carbon content. Models for inversion of soil organic carbon should be constructed separately for different land use types.

Scenario-based simulation of land use in Yingtan (Jiangxi Province, China) using an integrated genetic algorithm-cellular automata-Markov model.

Yingtan is a rapidly urbanizing city in Jiangxi Province, South China. During rapid urbanization, construction land is expanded at the expense of cropland and forest. Although economic benefits are gained, ecological and environmental damage is irreversible. In this study, a methodological framework for land use simulation using an integrated genetic algorithm-cellular automata-Markov model is proposed to assess the relationship between economic development and cropland protection in Yingtan. This framework considers both the economic and ecological benefits of different land use types. Three land use scenarios are evaluated to seek recommendations for land use practice. The results show that the areas with high suitability for cropland and construction are mainly concentrated in urban fringes. Under the green development scenario, the area of new construction land can meet the land demand for population growth and economic development proposed for 2025 based on population forecasting and government interviews. The expansion for construction land is decreased by ~ 35 km2 while the cropland area is increased by ~ 20 km2 compared with those under natural and controlled development scenarios. Additionally, ecological losses are lowest under the green development scenario. In conclusion, the green development scenario is conducive to both cropland and ecological protection, which is of relevance for future spatial planning in Yingtan.

[Delimitation of urban development boundary based on ecological sensitivity evaluation and CA-Markov simulation in plain city:A case of Nanchang, Jiangxi, China]. / 基于生态敏感性评价和CA-Markov模拟的平原型城市开发边界划定­­ä»¥å—昌市为例.

The rational delimitation of urban development boundary plays an important role in guiding the orderly growth of urban space and ensure proper environment health of urban space. In this study, we evaluated the ecological sensitivity of Nanchang City from four aspects (soil erosion, habitat, geological disaster and water resource) and simulated urban expansion in 2020 based on CA-Markov and land use data in 2000, 2010 and 2015. Spatial decision-making analysis of the two aspects was carried out in combination to the future development of the study area. We proposed a new method of delimitating urban development boundary integrating environmental protection and urban development through the dynamic coordination of both aspects. The results showed that ecological sensitivity of Nanchang City was moderate. The scale of urban construction land based on CA Markov simulation was 1239.67 km2, which slightly exceeded the planned construction land target (1201.65 km2). When the dynamic adjustment was done by superimposing the ecological sensitivity evaluation results with the expansion simulation results, the adjusted construction land scale of Nanchang City was 1193.15 km2, which met the planned requirement. Consideration of the coordination of protection and development could not only protect the ecological space, but also help to guide the orderly growth of urban space and ensure the healthy development of urban space, and thus was an important way to achieve a win-win situation between rational urban development and ecological protection.

Two new compounds from the roots of Pueraria peduncularis and their molluscicidal effects on Pomacea canaliculata.

Two oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins named pedunsaponin D (1) and pedunsaponin E (2) were isolated from the roots of Pueraria peduncularis. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated based on chemical and physicochemical evidence as follows: pedunsaponin D, 3-O-ß-glucopyranosyl-(1-3)-ß-glucuronopyranosyl-3ß,15α,23α-trihydroxy-11,13(18)-oleanadien-16-one (1); pedunsaponin E, 3-O-ß-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-ß-glucopy ranosyl(1-2)[ß-glucopyranosyl(1-3)-ß-glucuronopyranosyl]-3ß-hydroxy-16-oxoolean-12-en-30-oic acid (2). The two compounds showed moderate molluscicidal activity.[Formula: see text].

Inhibitory effects of hydrogen on in vitro platelet activation and in vivo prevention of thrombosis formation.

AIMS: Hydrogen (H2) has antioxidant effects. The pharmacologic function of H2 in platelets is not yet clear. Therefore, in this study we sought to investigate the inhibitory effects of H2 on in vitro platelet activation and in vivo prevention of thrombus formation. MAIN METHODS: After platelets were incubated with H2-rich saline (HRS), platelet adhesion in whole human blood was assessed in fibrinogen-coated perfusion chambers, while rat platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen and H2O2 was detected through light transmission aggregometry. The level of P-selectin, thromboxane B2, nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species (ROS), cGMP, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (p-ERK1/2), and fibrinogen binding to platelets were evaluated in vitro. Besides, the in vivo effects were examined in arterio-venous shunt thrombosis, FeCl3-induced artery thrombus formation, and tail bleeding time in mice and rats. KEY FINDINGS: HRS prolonged tail bleeding time in mice and rats, decreased thrombus weight and prolonged the time to occlusion in rat and mouse thrombosis models in vivo and inhibited platelet adhesion as well as aggregation in vitro. Additionally, HRS decreased P-selectin expression, release of thromboxane B2, ROS, and fibrinogen binding, but enhanced NO levels in H2O2-exposed platelets. HRS also decreased malondialdehyde levels in plasma of the rat arterial thrombosis or H2O2-exposed platelet model. Moreover, HRS increased cGMP level, decreased p-ERK1/2 (diminished with KT5823) in the platelets stimulated by H2O2. SIGNIFICANCE: These results suggest that H2 has antithrombotic effects, which may be due to its antioxidant property and subsequent inhibition of platelet activation via NO/cGMP/PKG/ERK pathway.

[Evaluation of carrying capacity and spatial pattern matching on urban-rural construction land in the Poyang Lake urban agglomeration, China]. / çŽ¯é„±é˜³æ¹–åŸŽå¸‚ç¾¤åŸŽä¹¡å»ºè®¾ç”¨åœ°çš„æ‰¿è½½èƒ½åŠ›è¯„ä»·åŠç©ºé—´æ ¼å±€åŒ¹é .

Land carrying capacity is one of the important research fields for land management and sustainable use. Urban-rural construction land is an essential component of land use type, the rationality of whose structure and layout is crucial to the sustainable use of land. Here, we executed the evaluation of the suitability of urban-rural construction land development, accounted the bearable critical threshold of urban-rural construction land, calculated the bearable abundance of urban-rural construction land, and compared with the current urban-rural construction land, analyzed the matching of the space layout, and then obtained the remaining development intensity of each county (city or district) of the Poyang Lake urban agglomeration. The results showed that the most suitable, more suitable, less suitable and unsuitable area about the evaluation results of urban-rural construction land development suitability were 3130.62, 2477.29, 867.03 and 29509.14 km2, respectively. The bearable critical threshold of urban-rural construction land (developable strength) was 16.6%, and the value of each county (city, district) was 7.7%-100%. The abundance of urban-rural construction land in each county (city, district) was mainly 0.15-1.30. The remaining development intensity was 12.3%, and the spatial matching degree was 0.76. The remaining develo-pment intensity of each county (city, district) was 4.9%-53.5%, and the spatial matching degree of each county (city, district) was 0.11- 1.00, with a wide range. Our results would help to clarify the relationship between the current development status and the rational development status, which could provide a basis for the refined management of urban-rural construction land and the regulatory policies' formulation of spatial pattern optimization.

Simvastatin improves olanzapine-induced dyslipidemia in rats through inhibiting hepatic mTOR signaling pathway.

Second-generation antipsychotic drug (SGA)-induced metabolic abnormalities, such as dyslipidemia, are a major clinical problem for antipsychotic therapy. Accumulated evidences have shown the efficacy of statins in reducing SGA-induced dyslipidemia, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we explored whether mTOR signaling was involved in olanzapine (OLZ)-induced dyslipidemia as well as the lipid-lowering effects of cotreatment of simvastatin (Sim) in rats. Model rats received OLZ (1.0 mg/kg, t.i.d.) for 7 weeks; from the third week a group of model rats were cotreatment of Sim (3.0 mg/kg, t.i.d.) for 5 weeks. We found that OLZ treatment significantly increased the plasma triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels, and promoted lipid accumulation in the liver, whereas cotreatment of Sim reversed OLZ-induced dyslipidemia. Hepatic mTORC1 and p-mTORC1 expression was accelerated in the OLZ treatment group, with upregulation of mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) and its target genes, whereas these alterations were ameliorated by Sim cotreatment. In HepG2 cells, rapamycin (a mTOR inhibitor) significantly reduced the OLZ-stimulated hepatocellular lipid contents and weakened the ability of Sim to lower lipids via a mechanism associated with the upregulation of SREBP1c-mediated de novo lipogenesis. Our data suggest that OLZ induces lipid accumulation in both plasma and liver, and Sim ameliorates OLZ-induced lipid metabolic dysfunction through its effects on mTOR signaling via reducing SREBP1c activation and the downregulation of gene expression involved in lipogenesis. These data provide a new insight into the prevention of metabolic side effects induced by antipsychotic drugs.

Plasma Phospholipid Transfer Protein Promotes Platelet Aggregation.

It remains unclear whether plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) is involved in hyper-coagulation or hypo-coagulation. This study investigated the direct effect of PLTP on platelet aggregation and the underlying mechanism. Washed platelets from humans or mice and mouse platelet-rich plasma and human recombinant PLTP were isolated. PLTP is present in human platelets. We assessed adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-, collagen- and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, phosphatidylserine externalization and photothrombosis-induced cerebral infarction in mice. PLTP over-expression increased platelet aggregation, while PLTP deficiency had the opposing reaction. Human recombinant PLTP increased both mouse and human platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner. Phosphatidylserine externalization provides a water/lipid surface for the interaction of coagulation factors, which accelerates thrombosis. Compared with wild-type controls, platelets from PLTP transgenic mice had significantly more phosphatidylserine on the exterior surface of the plasma membrane, whereas platelets from PLTP-deficient mice had significantly less phosphatidylserine on the surface, thus PLTP influences fibrinogen binding on the plasma membrane. Moreover, recombinant PLTP together with ADP significantly increased phosphatidylserine exposure on the plasma membrane of PLTP-deficient platelets, thereby increasing fibrinogen binding. PLTP over-expression significantly accelerated the incidence of photothrombosis-induced infarction in mice, whereas PLTP deficiency significantly reduced the frequency of infarction. We concluded that PLTP promotes phosphatidylserine externalization at the plasma membrane of platelets and accelerates ADP- or collagen-induced platelet aggregation. This effect plays an important role in the initiation of thrombin generation and platelet aggregation under sheer stress conditions. Thus, PLTP is involved in hyper-coagulation. Therefore, PLTP inhibition could be a novel approach for countering thrombosis.

Trichosanthin attenuates vascular injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia following balloon catheter injury in rats.

Trichosanthin (TCS), isolated from the root tuber of Trichosantheskirilowii, a well-known traditional Chinese medicinal plant, belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, was found to exhibit numerous biological and pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory. However, the effects of TCS on arterial injury induced neointimal hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration remains poorly understood. The aim of study was to examine the effectiveness of TCS on arterial injury-mediated inflammatory processes and underlying mechanisms. A balloon-injured carotid artery induced injury in vivo in rats was established as a model of vascular injury. After 1 day TCS at 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg/day was administered intraperitoneally, daily for 14 days. Subsequently, the carotid artery was excised and taken for immunohistochemical staining. Data showed that TCS significantly dose-dependently reduced balloon injury-induced neointima formation in the carotid artery model rat, accompanied by markedly decreased positive expression percentage proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). In the in vitro study vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were cultured, proliferation stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) (20 ng/ml) and TCS at 1, 2, or 4 µM added. Data demonstrated that TCS inhibited proliferation and cell cycle progression of VSMC induced by PDGF-BB. Further, TCS significantly lowered mRNA expression of cyclinD1, cyclinE1, and c-fos, and protein expression levels of Akt1, Akt2, and mitogen-activated protein kinase MAPK (ERK1) signaling pathway mediated by PDGF-BB. These findings indicate that TCS inhibits vascular neointimal hyperplasia induced by vascular injury in rats by suppression of VSMC proliferation and migration, which may involve inhibition of Akt/MAPK/ERK signal pathway.

Combination of RNA Interference and Stem Cells for Treatment of Central Nervous System Diseases.

RNA interference (RNAi), including microRNAs, is an important player in the mediation of differentiation and migration of stem cells via target genes. It is used as a potential strategy for gene therapy for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Stem cells are considered vectors of RNAi due to their capacity to deliver RNAi to other cells. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in studies of RNAi pathways in controlling neuronal differentiation and migration of stem cells. We also highlight the utilization of a combination of RNAi and stem cells in treatment of CNS diseases.

Identification of Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica isolated from an infected cow with hoof fetlow, China.

Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica is a rare but an emerging zoonotic pathogen. Here, we report the isolation and identification of W. chitiniclastica strain DZ2015 from hoof pus of an infected cow with hoof fetlow in Shandong, China by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and mouse infection experiments showed that the strain of W. chitiniclastica had broad susceptibility and was pathogenic to mice. This is the first report of the W. chitiniclastica isolated from an infected domestic animal in China.

Characteristic enhancement of blood pressure V-shaped waves in sinoaortic-denervated rats in a conscious and quiet state.

A hemodynamic feature of chronic sinoaortic-denervated (SAD) rats is the increase in blood pressure variability (BPV) without significant changes in the average level of blood pressure (BP). The current study was designed to investigate the changes in BP V-shaped waves (V waves) in SAD rats. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into 2 groups: SAD rats and sham-operated rats (n=13). Hemodynamics measurements were obtained in conscious, freely moving rats, four weeks after sinoaortic denervation or sham operation. V wave indices were evaluated in rats in both conscious and quiet states. Additionally, normal and high BPV was simulated by the production of V waves with different amplitudes. The results showed that the V wave amplitude was dramatically increased, with a significantly prolonged duration and reduced frequency in SAD rats. V wave BPV in SAD rats was significantly increased, though BP remained unchanged. The twenty-four hour BPV in all rats was positively correlated with amplitude, duration time and V wave BPV and negatively correlated with frequency. The systolic BP spectral powers in the low frequency range (0.38-0.45 Hz) were significantly reduced in the V waves of SAD rats. Moreover, there was a remarkable increase in mean BPV and a normal mean BP after simulating high BPV in SAD rats. These results suggest that enhancement of V waves might be a waveform character of BP in SAD rats in both the conscious and quiet states. These types of V waves appear to be related to a depression of sympathetic regulation of BP induced by sinoaortic denervation.

Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bge.f.alba Ameliorates the Progression of Monocrotaline-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension by Protecting Endothelial Injury in Rats.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a life-threatening disease that is characterized by elevated pulmonary blood pressure, abnormally thickened pulmonary arteries, and right ventricular hypertrophy. Monocrotaline (MCT) has been used to generate an experimental model of PH in rats, with PH initiated from injuries of lung vascular endothelium. Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bge.f.alba is a widely used traditional herb in China, known to exert protective effects on vascular endothelial cell injury in animal experiments. However, the role of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bge.f.alba in PH remains unclear. Thus, we investigated the effects of the aqueous extract of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bge.f.alba (AESM) on MCT-induced PH and explored the pertinent mechanism. PH was induced in rats by a single subcutaneous injection of MCT (60 mg/kg body weight). Low or high dose (4.6 g/kg or 14 g/kg body weight) of AESM was then administered orally for 21 days to PH rats. Hemodynamic study showed that AESM reduced mean pulmonary artery pressure and improved right ventricle function. Lung pathological analysis revealed that AESM reduced wall thickness and lumen stenosis of pulmonary vessels. Also AESM ameliorated right ventricular hypertrophy. Measurement of biochemical parameters indicated that AESM decreased endothelin-1 and thromboxane A2 in plasma and increased nitrogen monoxide and prostacyclin in the plasma and reduced the increase of transforming growth factor ß1 in lung tissue. Our results suggest that AESM may ameliorate the progression of MCT-induced PH in rats, at least in part by its protective effect on endothelial injury. Therefore, Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bge.f.alba could be useful in the treatment of PH.

Cardioprotective Effect of Hydrogen-rich Saline on Isoproterenol-induced Myocardial Infarction in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Infusion with hydrogen gas-saturated saline has recently been reported to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity that may protect against organ damage induced by oxidative stress. Therefore because oxidative stress plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of myocardial infarction (MI), the aim of our study was to investigate whether hydrogen-rich saline has cardioprotective effects against isoproterenol-induced MI in rats. METHODS: An acute MI model was induced in male Wistar rats by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol. Different doses of hydrogen-rich saline (5, 7.5, and 10 mL/kg body weight i.p.) or Vitamin C (250 mg/kg body weight i.g.) were administered to the rats. Oxidative stress indices including levels of myocardial marker enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, membrane-bound myocardial enzymes and histopathological changes were measured. RESULTS: Compared with those in isoproterenol-MI group, hydrogen-rich saline decreased malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-desoxyguanosine concentrations, enhanced superoxide dismutase and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity, lowered Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and decreased interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α levels in the serum and/or cardiac tissue of rats. Hydrogen-rich saline pretreatment also diminished infarct size, improved left heart function, and ameliorated pathological changes of the left heart. CONCLUSION: From these results, hydrogen-rich saline exerts cardiovascular protective effects against isoproterenol-induced MI at least in part via interactions which evoke antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

N-heterocyclic amine-directed structures and properties of two Cu(II) diphosphonates.

By introducing the second organic N-heterocyclic ligands 4'-(4-pyridyl)-4,2':6',4''-terpyridine (pyterpy) and 4,4'-bipyridyl (4,4'-bipy), two examples of Cu(II)-diphosphonates, [Cu(3)(HL)(2)(Hpyterpy)(2)]·2H(2)O 1 and [Cu(4)(HL)(2)(4,4'-bipy)(H(2)O)(5)] 2 based on 1-hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid (H(5)L = CH(3)C(OH)(PO(3)H(2))(2)), have been hydrothermally obtained and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR, TG-DSC. The single-crystal X-ray diffractions reveal that compound 1 has a one-dimensional fishbone-like chain constructed by anions [Cu(3)(HL)(2)(2-)](n) while simultaneously organic cations [Hpyterpy(+)](n) suspending both sides, and compound 2 exhibits two-dimensional inorganic-organic alternate arrangement layer built from 1-D ladder-like inorganic chain with tetranuclear cluster [Cu(4)O(10)] via 4,4'-bipy linkage. The results of electrochemical measurements indicate half-wave potential of 1 (E(1/2)(1) = 1.01 V) is less than that of 2 (E(1/2)(2) = 1.20 V), indicating a good D-A system in ICT for 1. Moreover fluorescent measurements reveal that emission intensity of 1 centered at 422 nm is larger than that of 2 emitted at 420 nm, caused by intraligand π*-π emission state of organic N-heterocyclic amine (λ(ex) = 233 nm). Magnetism data indicate that compound 1 exhibits ferrimagnetic interactions between metal centers, while compound 2 has antiferromagnetic property.

[Oxidative stress of platelet and atherosclerosis].

Most platelet-derived oxidants are produced through NAD (P) H-oxidase enzyme system. There are antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione in platelet. Oxidative stress alters platelet functions via regulation of platelet aggregation phase, impact on platelet nitric oxide and alpha II bbeta3 integrin, and imbalance between reduced and oxidized glutathione in platelet. Activated platelet by oxidative stress can influence blood vessel endothelium cell function, and worsen atherosclerosis through CD40 ligand. LDL is modified to oxidized LDL by platelets which can trigger foam cell formation. Some drugs with therapeutic intervention to reduce oxidative stress of platelet will be of use for atherosclerosis treatment.

Protective effects of hydrogen-rich saline on monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: Hydrogen-rich saline has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and effectively protect against organ damage. Oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to the pathogenesis and/or development of pulmonary hypertension. In this study, we investigated the effects of hydrogen-rich saline on the prevention of pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline in a rat model. METHODS: In male Sprague-Dawley rats, pulmonary hypertension was induced by subcutaneous administration of monocrotaline at a concentration of 6 mg/100 g body weight. Hydrogen-rich saline (5 ml/kg) or saline was administered intraperitoneally once daily for 2 or 3 weeks. Severity of pulmonary hypertension was assessed by hemodynamic index and histologic analysis. Malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-desoxyguanosine level, and superoxide dismutase activity were measured in the lung tissue and serum. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6) in serum were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Hydrogen-rich saline treatment improved hemodynamics and reversed right ventricular hypertrophy. It also decreased malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-desoxyguanosine levels, and increased superoxide dismutase activity in the lung tissue and serum, accompanied by a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that hydrogen-rich saline ameliorates the progression of pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline in rats, which may be associated with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.