Sulfur dioxide reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies suggested that sulfur dioxide (SO2) can be produced endogenously by pulmonary vessels and attenuate acute lung injury (ALI) with vasorelaxant effects. This study was conducted to determine whether SO2 can inhibit lung inflammation and relax pulmonary arteries via inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-eight adult male Sprague Dawley rats (250~300 g) were randomly divided into six treatment groups: control (n = 8), control + SO2 (n = 8), control + L-aspartic acid-ß-hydroxamate (HDX) (n = 8), LPS (n = 8), LPS + SO2 (n = 8) and LPS + HDX (n = 8). RESULTS: Six hours after LPS treatment, rats exhibited elevated pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH), marked pulmonary structure injury with elevated pulmonary myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and CD11b, along with decreased pulmonary SO2 production and reduced pulmonary aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) activity. Pretreatment with SO2 saline solution significantly reduced, while HDX (AAT inhibitor) aggravated, the pathogenesis of LPS-induced ALI. Moreover, SO2 saline solution significantly down-regulated expression of Raf-1, MEK-1 and phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK). It also prevented pulmonary hypertension in association with an up-regulated SO2/AAT pathway. However, HDX advanced pulmonary hypertension and inflammatory responses in the lung were associated with a down-regulated SO2/AAT pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that SO2 markedly relieved inflammatory responses, in association with Raf-1, MEK-1 and p-ERK during ALI induced by LPS. The down-regulation of the SO2/AAT pathway may be involved in the mechanism(s) of LPS-induced lung injury.

Role of sulfur dioxide in acute lung injury following limb ischemia/reperfusion in rats.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is naturally synthesized by glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) from L-cysteine in mammalian cells. We aim to investigate the role of SO2 in inflammation in acute lung injury (ALI) following limb ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Male Wistar rats were subjected to limb I/R and were injected with saline, GOT inhibitor hydroxamate (HDX, 0.47 mmol/kg), or the SO2 donor Na2 SO3 /NaHSO3 (0.54 mmol/kg/0.18 mmol/kg). Compared with the sham operation, the plasma SO2 levels were significantly decreased by limb I/R treatment. In addition, SO2 concentration and GOT activity in the lung tissue were also reduced in ALI. The occurrence of ALI following limb I/R can be prevented by Na2 SO3 /NaHSO3 treatment, whereas it can be significantly aggravated by HDX. The plasma IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-10 levels were consistent with myeloperoxidase activity and inflammation in lung tissue. In conclusion, our data suggest that downregulation of endogenous SO2 production might be involved in pathogenesis of ALI following limb I/R in rats.

Sulfur dioxide attenuates LPS-induced acute lung injury via enhancing polymorphonuclear neutrophil apoptosis.

AIM: We speculated that the enhanced apoptosis of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) might be responsible for the inhibition of PMN infiltration in the lung. This study was designed to investigate the effects of sulfur dioxide (SO(2)) on PMN apoptosis in vivo and in vitro, which may mediate the protective action of SO(2) on pulmonary diseases. METHODS: Acute lung injury (ALI) was induced by intratracheally instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 µg/100 g, in 200 µL saline) in adult male SD rats. SO(2) solution (25 µmol/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 30 min before LPS treatment. The rats were killed 6 h after LPS treatment. Lung tissues were collected for histopathologic study and SO(2) concentration assay. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for the measurement of PMN apoptosis. For in vitro experiments, rat peripheral blood PMNs were cultured and treated with LPS (30 mg/L) and SO(2) (10, 20 and 30 µmol/L) for 6 h, and apoptosis-related protein expression was detected by Western blotting, and apoptosis rate was measured with flow cytometry. RESULTS: LPS treatment significantly reduced the SO(2) concentrations in the lung tissue and peripheral blood, as compared with the control group. Pretreatment with SO(2) prevented LPS-induced reduction of the SO(2) concentration in the lung tissue and peripheral blood. LPS treatment significantly reduced PMN apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro, which could be prevented by the pretreatment with SO(2). The protein levels of Caspase-3 and Bax was significantly increased, but Bcl-2 was decreased by the pretreatment with SO(2), as compared with LPS administration alone. CONCLUSION: SO(2) plays an important role as the modulator of PMN apoptosis during LPS-induced ALI, which might be one of the mechanisms underlying the protective action of SO(2) on pulmonary diseases.

[Hydrogen sulfide reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury and inhibits expression of phosphorylated p38 MAPK in rats].

To investigate the influence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on p38 MAPK signaling pathway during acute lung injury (ALI) caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the rats were randomly divided into six groups: control group, LPS group, LPS + NaHS group, LPS + PPG (cystathionine-γ-lyase inhibitor) group, NaHS group and PPG group. The rats were sacrificed 6 h after injection and lung tissues were obtained. The structure of lung tissues and the number of polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) was observed under optical microscope; the lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were tested; intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) protein expression changes were detected by immunohistochemical staining; phosphorylated p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK) protein expression was detected by Western blotting. The results showed that the lung injury in LPS group was observed, at the same time the MPO activity, the content of MDA, ICAM-1 and p-p38 MAPK protein expressions, the number of PMN were all higher than those in control group (all P < 0.05). Pre-injection of NaHS alleviated the changes induced by LPS, while pre-injection of PPG aggravated those alterations (all P < 0.05). ICAM-1 and p-p38 MAPK protein expressions in lung tissue were positively correlated (r = 0.923, P < 0.01). The results suggest that H2S may reduce LPS-induced ALI through inhibiting the conjugation of p38 MAPK and reducing the expression of ICAM-1.

[Effects of exogenous hydrogen sulfide on pulmonary hypertension in rabbits with endotoxic shock].

Objective: To investigate the effects of exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on pulmonary vascular reactivity induced by endotoxic shock (ES) in rabbits. Methods: In this experiment, the model of endotoxic shock (ES) was induced by injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to New Zealand big eared white rabbit through jugular vein (8 mg/0.8 ml/kg), the intervention was performed by H2S donor(sodium hydrosulfide, NaHS) which was injected intraperitoneally (28 µmol/kg) 15 min in advance. New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=8):control group, LPS group, LPS+NaHS group and NaHS group. The changes of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP) were detected. The tension of pulmonary artery ring (PARs) was detected byin vitro vascular ring technique. The ultrastructure of pulmonary artery wall and pulmonary artery endothelial cells were observed by light microscope and scanning electron microscope. Results: ①MAP was decreased while MPAP was increased in rabbits after LPS injection, and ES animal model was established successfully. Compared with LPS group, mPAP of rabbit in LPS+NaHS group was decreased significantly (all P＜0.05). ②Compared with normal control group, pulmonary artery of rabbits in LPS group had an increased contractile response to phenylephrine (PE) and a decreased relaxation response to acetylcholine (ACh) (both P＜0.01); Compared with LPS group, pulmonary artery of rabbits in LPS+NaHS group had a decreased contractile response to PE and an increased relaxation response to ACh (both P＜0.05). ③Under light microscope, the structure of vascular endothelial cells was continuous in the normal control group, the elastic fibers were intact in the subcutaneous layer, and the smooth muscle layer was arranged neatly. LPS can shed some of the pulmonary artery endothelial cells, break the subcutaneous elastic fibers, and disorder the smooth muscle layer structure. Compared with LPS group, the injury of pulmonary artery wall in LPS+NaHS group was ameliorated. The morphology of pulmonary artery wall was normal in NaHS group. It is showed that some endothelial cells of pulmonary artery were missing in LPS group by Scanning electron microscopy. The morphology of pulmonary artery endothelial cells in LPS+NaHS group was similar to that in the control group: slightly widened intercellular space was observed, and no cell exfoliation was observed. Conclusion: These results suggest that exogenous H2S can protect pulmonary artery endothelial cells and regulate the reactivity changes of pulmonary artery during ES, which may be one of the mechanisms reducing PAH in ES rabbits.

Xylomexicanins K-N: limonoids from the leaves and twigs of Xylocarpus granatum.

Six new compounds, xylomexicanins K-N (1-4), granasteroid (5) and 5-methoxy-2-pentylbenzofuran-7-ol (6), along with nine known compounds were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Xylocarpus granatum. Among them, 1 was a biogenetic precursor of 1,8,9-phragmalin limonoid, and 4 represent the first example of degraded A-ring limonoid. The structures of them were elucidated on the basis of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic data (including 1H, 13C-NMR, DEPT, 1H-1H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and confirmed by high-resolution mass spectrometry.[Formula: see text].

[Administration of hydrogen sulfide intraperitoneally reverses the hyporesponsiveness of rat pulmonary artery induced by lipopolysaccharide and its relationship with carbon monoxide].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) on abnormal pulmonary artery reactivity induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and its relationship with carbon monoxide (CO). METHODS: Forty eight rats were divided into four groups randomly according to table of random number: control group (normal saline, NS), LPS group, a donor of H(2)S sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS)+LPS group, and NaHS+NS group (n=12 in each group). Rats were given LPS by intratracheal instillation (0.8 ml/kg). 0.5 ml of NaHS (28 µmol/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 10 minutes before LPS or NS instillation and 2 hours after LPS or NS instillation in NaHS+LPS and NaHS+NS groups. Twelve hours after instillation of LPS, 6 rats from each group were sacrificed. The pulmonary artery rings (PARs) were prepared and the changes in cumulative relaxation response of PARs to NaHS were detected before and after incubation with an inhibitor of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) zinc protoporphyrinIX (ZnPPIX) using isolated vascular ring tension detecting technique. Twelve hours after LPS instillation, the remaining 6 rats in each group were sacrificed, and the contents of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) in efferent pulmonary blood (EPB) and afferent pulmonary blood (APB) were measured, and the difference between the contents of COHb in EPB and that of APB was calculated to represent content of CO from pulmonary circulation. RESULTS: In the present study, compared with control group, after the instillation of LPS the percentage of relaxation response of PARs to NaHS was significantly declined [(75.72±7.22)% vs. (96.40±4.40)%, P<0.01]. After being incubated with ZnPPIX, the decreased relaxation response of PARs to NaHS induced by LPS was further depressed [(62.91±8.22)% vs. (75.72±7.22)%, P<0.01]. Administration of NaHS intraperitoneally reversed the hyporesponsiveness of PARs to NaHS, the percentage of relaxation response of PARs to NaHS was significantly increased [(94.65±8.45)% vs. (75.72±7.22)%, P<0.01]. However ZnPPIX also attenuated the effect [(83.75±9.76)% vs. (94.65±8.45)%, P<0.01]. NO significant changes were observed between NaHS+NS group and control group, also between the results before and after ZnPPIX incubation . Compared with control group, the difference between the contents of COHb in EPB and that of APB increased after instillation of LPS [(3.12±0.48)% vs. (2.12±0.32)%, P<0.05], which further increased after intraperitoneal administration of NaHS [(4.03±0.56)%, P<0.01]. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that intraperitoneal administration of H(2)S could reverse hyporesponsiveness of PARs to H(2)S induced by LPS, and the result might be related to an intensification of HO-1/CO system in pulmonary artery tissue.

[Effect of hydrogen sulfide on rat pulmonary artery reactivity and injury induced by lipopolysaccharide].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on abnormal pulmonary artery reactivity and injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: Seventy-two rats were divided into four groups randomly according to table of random number: control group, LPS group, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) as a donor of H2S+LPS group and NaHS+normal saline (NS) group (n=18 in each group). Rats were challenged with 0.8 ml/kg LPS (200 microg/200 microl) by intratracheal instillation. NaHS (28 micromol/kg, 0.5 ml) was injected intraperitoneally 10 minutes before LPS instillation and 2 hours after LPS instillation. Twelve hours later, 6 rats from each group were sacrificed. Blood from carotid artery was collected to detect H2S content in serum. After that, pulmonary artery rings (PARs) were prepared carefully, then the contraction response of PARs to phenylephrine (PE, 10(-6) mol/L) and the endothelium-dependent relaxation response to acetylcholine (ACh, 10(-6) mol/L) were measured using isolated vascular ring tension detecting technique. Six rats from each group were sacrificed for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) content of pulmonary artery, and the remaining 6 rats from each group were sacrificed for observation of morphological changes in pulmonary artery tissue. RESULTS: Compared with control group, after LPS instillation, the contraction response (g/mg) of PARs to PE increased greatly (0.86+/-0.20 vs. 0.56+/-0.13), the relaxation response to ACh significantly decreased [(65.18+/-7.05)% vs. (84.13+/-8.84)%]. MDA content (mmol/L) in pulmonary artery tissues increased (32.03+/-7.81 vs. 5.82+/-0.92), and H2S (micromol/L) content in serum decreased (175.23+/-27.36 vs. 238.12+/-16.38). Changes of all results were significant (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The pulmonary artery tissue and endothelium were injured. However, these changes were reversed by administration of NaHS intraperitoneally, the contraction response of PARs to PE decreased [(0.61+/-0.17) g/mg], the relaxation response to ACh increased [(82.92+/-9.71)%], MDA content in pulmonary artery tissue decreased [(16.88+/-3.54) mmol/L] and H2S content in serum increased [(242.70+/-38.80) micromol/L]. There was significant difference in all results (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The injury to the tissue induced by LPS were alleviated significantly. There was no statistical difference in above indexes between NaHS+NS group and control group, except for the level of H2S. CONCLUSION: Exogenous H2S could not only reverse abnormal vascular reactivity of PARs induced by LPS but also alleviate the injury to pulmonary artery tissue induced by LPS.

MicroRNA-214 protects L6 skeletal myoblasts against hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported as key gene regulators, and they control many fundamental biological processes. Previously, we demonstrated that miR-214 had a protective effect against myocardial apoptosis and myocardial fibrosis. In this study, we sought to investigate the expression of miR-214 in L6 skeletal myoblast (SKM), the regulatory effect of miR-214 on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced cell apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms of the antiapoptotic effect. MiR-214 expression was up-regulated by H2O2 in a dose and time-dependent manner in L6 SKMs. To investigate the regulatory effects of miR-214 on L6 SKM, both gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches were applied. The results showed that miR-214 improved cell survival and inhibited cell apoptosis, and blockage of miR-214 abrogated the protective effect on cell survival and resistance to apoptosis. Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) was negatively regulated by miR-214, and PTEN inhibitor obviously reversed the effect of miR-214 blockage on enhancing cell apoptosis. In addition, miR-214 up-regulated antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, down-regulated proapoptotic protein Bax, prevented release of cytochrome c and inhibited caspase-3 activation. In summary, H2O2-induced injury increases miR-214 expression in L6 SKM, and miR-214 contributes to the protection of L6 SKM against apoptosis via lowering PTEN and subsequently inhibiting the mitochondrial-mediated caspase-dependent apoptotic signaling pathway.

[Role of polymorphonuclear neutrophil in exogenous hydrogen sulfide attenuating endotoxin-induced acute lung injury].

The animal model of acute lung injury (ALI) caused by intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and cultured human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) were used to study the effects of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor, on LPS-induced PMN accumulation, microvascular permeability and PMN apoptosis. Control group, NaHS group, LPS group and LPS + NaHS group were established both in in vivo and in vitro studies. Microvascular permeability, PMN accumulation in lung and apoptosis of PMN were detected. The results showed that: (1) In in vivo study, PMN accumulation in lung, the protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the Evans blue dye in lung tissue of LPS group were markedly higher than those of both sham operation group and LPS + NaHS group (P<0.05, P<0.01); (2) In in vitro study, the apoptotic rates of PMN in LPS group and NaHS group were significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.01), while compared with LPS group, LPS + NaHS group showed significantly higher apoptotic rate (P<0.01). These results suggest that NaHS attenuates LPS-induced microvascular permeability and alleviates ALI. PMN apoptosis induced by NaHS is possibly one of the potential mechanisms underlying the decrease of PMN accumulation in lung tissue.

[Ameliorative effects of exogenous sulfur dioxide on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats].

To investigate the influence of sulfur dioxide (SO2) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI), we examined the influence of exogenous SO2 on pulmonary tissue inflammatory response. A rat model of ALI induced by intravenous (IV) injection of LPS was developed. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into four groups randomly: control group, LPS group, LPS plus SO2 group (IV injection of 0.5 mL Na2SO3/NaHSO3 10 min before LPS administration) and SO2 group (only given Na2SO3/NaHSO3). Animals were sacrificed 6 h after agent administration. Lung weight/body weight ratio (LW/BW) was measured and calculated. Morphological changes of lung tissues were observed. The number of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), intercellular adhesion factor-1 (ICAM-1) expression in the lung tissue and IL-1, IL-6 and IL-10 levels in the serum were tested. The results showed that, compared to control rats, the LPS-treated rats had severe injuries of lung tissues and an increased LW/BW, increased index of quantitative assessment (IQA) score, increased PMN number in the BALF, increased ICAM-1 expression in the lung tissue and increased IL-1, IL-6 and IL-10 levels in the serum 6 h after LPS injection. Administration of the SO2 donor, Na2SO/3NaHSO3, into LPS-treated rats reduced the LW/BW, PMN number and ICAM-1 expression, and alleviated the degree of ALI (measured by the IQA score). In addition, Na2SO3/NaHSO3 decreased IL-1 and IL-6 levels, but increased IL-10 level in the serum. There were no significant differences in the above indexes between SO2-treated rats and control rats. These results suggest that exogenous SO2 could inhibit the pulmonary tissue inflammatory response in rats with LPS-induced ALI.

Protection of carbon monoxide-releasing molecule against lung injury induced by limb ischemia-reperfusion.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the role and mechanism of CO-releasing molecule (CORM)-2 in lung injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion (IR) of hind limbs in rats. METHODS: A rat model of lung injury induced by IR of hind limbs was established. A total of 40 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n equal to 8): sham, sham + CORM-2, IR, IR + CORM-2 and IR + dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Rats in the IR group received hind limb ischemia for 2 hours and reperfusion for 2 hours, rats in the sham group underwent sham surgery without infrarenal aorta occlusion, rats in the IR+CORM-2 group and in the sham + CORM-2 group were given CORM-2 (10 micromol/kg intravenous bolus) 5 minutes before reperfusion or at the corresponding time points, while rats in the IR + DMSO group was treated with the same dose of vehicle (DMSO) at the same time. The lung tissue structure, polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) count, wet-to-dry weight ratio (W/D), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression,IkBa degradation and nuclear factor (NF)-kB activity in the lungs were assessed. RESULTS: As compared with the sham group, lung PMNs number, W/D, MDA content, MPO activity, ICAM-1 expression and NF-kB activity significantly increased in the IR group, but the level of IkBa decresed (P less than 0.01). Compared with the IR group, lung PMNs number, W/D, MDA content, MPO activity and ICAM-1 expression significantly decreased in the IR+COMR-2 group (P less than 0.01), while the level of IkBa increased. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that CORM-2 attenuates limb IR-induced lung injury through inhibiting ICAM-1 protein expression, NF-kB pathway and the leukocytes sequestration in the lungs following limb IR in rats, suggesting that CORM-2 may be used as a therapeutic agent against lung injury induced by limb IR.

[Application of fluorescence in situ hybridization in prenatal diagnosis of complex chromosomal abnormalities].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique in prenatal diagnosis of complex chromosomal abnormalities. METHODS: Eleven prenatal diagnosis cases (8 from amniocentesis and 3 from cord blood) with complex chromosomal abnormalities detected by routine G-banding, were further analyzed by FISH. RESULTS: The FISH technique confirmed the results of balanced chromosome rearrangements detected by G-banding, and clarified the structure of the derivative chromosomes in the 3 amniocentesis samples and the origin of the mark chromosomes in the 2 cord blood samples. CONCLUSION: FISH can be used to diagnose the complex chromosomal abnormalities accurately in prenatal diagnosis, and can provide very useful genetic information for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

[Role of hydrogen sulfide/cystathionine-gamma-lyase system in acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of hydrogen sulfide/cystathionine-gamma-lyase (H(2)S/CSE) system in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- induced acute lung injury (ALI) in rats and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Sixty-four Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, LPS (instilled intratracheally to induce ALI), sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), propargylglycine (PPG). Animals were sacrificed at 4 and 8 hours (n=8) after administration of the above agents. Morphological changes in lung tissues were determined, H(2)S, nitrogen monoxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) concentration in plasma were determined. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and myeloperoxidase (MPO), CSE, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), heme oxygenase (HO) activity of the lung were also determined. The level of P-selectin of lung tissue was measured by radioimmunoassay. Immunohistochemistry technique was performed to examine the expression of iNOS and HO-1 protein in lung tissues. RESULTS: Severe injuries of lung tissues and raised MDA content, MPO activity and P-selectin level were observed in rats treated with LPS. LPS also led to a drop in plasma H(2)S concentration and lung CSE activity. The enzyme activity of iNOS and HO, and their protein expression, plasma NO, and CO levels increased after LPS instillation (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Pre-administration of NaHS before LPS could attenuate the changes induced by LPS. Pre-administration of PPG exacerbated the injuries induced by LPS, with increased MDA content, MPO activity, P-selectin level, the plasma NO level, lung iNOS activity and its protein expression, but there was no prominent variation in CO level, HO activity and HO-1 protein expression compared with those of LPS group. CONCLUSION: Downregulation of H(2)S/CSE is involved in the pathogenesis of ALI induced by LPS. Endogenous and exogenous H(2)S provide protection against ALI, which may be explained by its anti-oxidative effects, attenuation of inflammatory over-reaction in lung induced by polymorphonuclear neutrophils, downregulation of NO/iNOS system and the upregulation of CO/HO-1 system.

[The interventional effects of saturated hydrogen saline on lung injury in rats with cecal ligation and puncture operation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hypothesis that hydrogen could ameliorate cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced lung injury of rats by inhibiting cystathionine-gamma-lyase/hydrogen sulfide (CSE/H2S) system. METHODS: A total number of 24 healthy male SD rats weighting 250～300 g were randomly divided into four groups (n=6 in each group): sham operation group(sham group), hydrogen-rich saline control group(H2 group), CLP group and hydrogen-rich saline treatment group(CLP+H2 group). The rats were treated with hydrogen-rich saline or saline 10 min before CLP or sham operation. At 8 h of sham or CLP operation, lung samples were obtained to detect the changes of the CSE/H2S system using biochemical and RT-PCR methods. In order to further confirm the role of H2S during hydrogen improve the lung injury of CLP rats, we also observed the effect of hydrogen-rich saline on the lung injury induced by H2S donor-sodium sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS). Thirty-two healthy male SD rats (250~300 g) were randomly divided into four groups (n=8 in each group): control group, H2S group, H2S+H2 group and H2 group. Saline(10 mg/kg) or NaHS(H2S donor, 56 µmol/kg) was injected intraperitoneally (10 mg/kg) respectively into rats in the control rats or H2S group. For rats in the H2S+H2 and H2 group, hydrogen-rich saline (10 mg/kg) was injected 10 min before saline or NaHS administration. Eight hours after the LPS saline or NaHS administration, lung coefficient, MDA content, and MPO activity were detected. The contents of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 in lung tissue were measured, and the morphological changes of lung tissue were also observed. RESULTS: CSE/H2S system up-regulating were observed in animals exposed to CLP. Hydrogen-rich saline treatment significantly inhibited CSE/H2S system as indicated by significantly reduced H2S production in lung, along with a decreased CSE activity and CSE mRNA expression (all P＜0.05). Importantly, the results showed that lung injury and lung tissue inflammation were observed in animals exposed to NaHS. Hydrogen-rich saline treatment significantly attenuated lung injury as indicated by significantly improved histological changes in lung, significantly reduced index of quantitative assessment (IQA), MDA content and lung coefficient (all P＜0.05). MPO activity in lung tissue was significantly reduced along with decreased productions of TNF-α and IL-6, and an increased production of IL-10 in the presence of hydrogen (all P＜0.05), demonstrating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of hydrogen in NaHS-induced ALI. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that hydrogen-rich saline peritoneal injection improves the lung injury induced by CLP operation. The therapeutic effects of hydrogen-rich saline may be related to suppressing the production of H2S.

A 21 years follow-up of a girl patient with a pseudodicentric bisatellited chromosome 22 associated with partial trisomy 22pter-->22q12.1: clinical, cytogenetic and molecular observations.

We present clinical and developmental data on a patient with a de novo recombinant pseudodicentric bisatellited chromosome 22 associated with a partial trisomy 22pter-22q12.1. The patient was evaluated at birth and followed-up until 21 years of age. Clinical findings include facial and digital dysmorphism, hydrocephalus and postnatal-onset growth deficiency. The patient showed bilateral microphthalmia with severe palpebral ptosis and coloboma of the iris and left optic nerve. She also has skeletal and neurological abnormalities, cholesteatoma and seizures. She had absence of speech, poor mobility, poor vision and required help with all daily living skills. Conventional chromosome GTG banded analysis showed that the proband had an abnormal karyotype:46,XX,add(22)(q13). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses and microsatellite markers for DNA polymorphism study ascertained the karyotype as 46,XX,add(22)(q13.3).ish psu dic(22;22)(q13.3;q12.1)(D14Z1/D22Z1++, N25++, ARSA+, PCP22q+). The recombinant chromosome was stable and present in all cells examined. The paternal origin of the psu dic(22;22) chromosome was determined by using five highly polymorphic microsatellite markers located to the region of chromosome 22q11.2-22q13.33. A 22q13.3 monosomy was ruled out with 22q13.3 cosmid probes covering the terminal 22q-140Kb. The proband carried a recombinant pseudodicentric bisatellited chromosome psu dic(22;22)(q13.3;q12.1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of such rearrangement resulting in partial trisomy 22pter-22q12.1.

[Role of endogenous hydrogen sulfide in pulmonary hypertension induced by lipopolysaccharide].

The purpose of the present study was to explore the role of endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in pulmonary arterial hypertension induced by endotoxin. Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control group (0.5 mL/kg body weight of normal saline, i.v.), lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated group (5 mg/kg body weight of LPS, i.v.), LPS + NaHS (5 mg/kg body weight of LPS, i.v., and 28 µmol/kg body weight of NaHS, i.p.) and LPS + PPG group (5 mg/kg body weight of LPS, i.v., and 30 µmol/kg body weight of PPG, i.p.). Rats were anesthetized with 20% urethane (1 g/kg body weight, i.p.). A polyethylene catheter was inserted into the pulmonary artery through the right external jugular vein to measure the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) for 7 h, and then the pulmonary artery was isolated rapidly by the method described previously. Pulmonary arterial activity was detected. H2S concentration and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) activity in pulmonary artery tissues were determined by biochemical method. CSE mRNA expression was detected by competitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Compared with control, LPS significantly increased mPAP [(1.82±0.29) kPa vs (1.43±0.26) kPa, P<0.01], decreased H2S production [(26.33±7.84) vs (42.92±8.73) pmol/g wet tissue per minute, P<0.01), and reduced endothelium-dependent relaxation response [(75.72±7.22)% vs (86.40±4.40) %, P<0.01) induced by ACh (1×10(-6) mol/L). These effects were partly reversed by co-administration of NaHS and enhanced by co-administration of PPG. Both CSE activity and CSE mRNA expression were consistent with H2S production. It is suggested that the inhibitory effect of LPS on endothelium-dependent relaxation results in pulmonary hypertension, which might be mediated through H(2)S.

[The role of hydrogen sulfide in acute lung injury during endotoxic shock and its relationship with nitric oxide and carbon monoxide].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in acute lung injury (ALI) during endotoxic shock (ES) and its relationship with nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). METHODS: Sixty-four adult male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: control group injected with normal saline via the caudal vein, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated group injected with LPS to establish ES model, LPS + NaHS group injected with LPS and sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, an exogenous H2S donor], and LPS + PPG group injected with LPS and polypropylene glycol (PPG, a H2S synthase inhibitor). The mean artery pressure (MAP) was measured via a polyethylene catheter in the right common carotid artery for 6 h. Then the rats were sacrificed with their lungs taken out to determine the lung water content, lung tissue malonyldialdehyde (MDA), NO, and CO contents, as well as lung tissue cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE), myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and heme oxygenase (HO) activities. The H2S content in blood plasma was detected also. Morphological changes of the lung tissues were observed under light microscope and the index of quantitative assessment (IQA) of lung injury was calculated. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the lung tissue inducible NOS (iNOS) and HO-1 protein expression. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the MAP of the LPS group was significantly lower, the pathological changes in lung tissue was more obvious, and the IQA, lung water content, lung MDA content, lung MPO and CSE activities as well as plasma H2S content were all significantly higher (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared to the LPS group, the plasma H2S and lung CSE activity of the LPS + NaHS group were higher, the lung injury was more severe, and the MAP was lower. And compared to the LPS group, the MAP of the LPS + PPG group was higher, and the lung injury was milder (both P < 0.05). The eNOS activity in the lung tissue of the LPS group was (5.26 +/- 0.25) Uxmg(-1)xprot(-1), significantly lower than that of the control group [(6.45 +/- 0.42) Uxmg(-1)xprot(-1)]; and the iNOS activity and NO content of the LPS group were (12.6 +/- 0.6) Uxmg(-1)xprot(-1) and (144 +/- 25) micromol/L respectively, both higher than those of the control group [(10.5 +/- 0.7) Uxmg(-1)xprot(-1) and (68 +/- 5) micromol/L respectively] (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with the LPS group, the lung tissue eNOS activity of the LPS + PPG group was significantly higher, and the iNOS activity [(10.2 +/- 0.4) Uxmg(-1)xprot(-1)], iNOS protein expression, and NO content [(74 +/- 5) micromol/L]were all significantly lower (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with the LPS group, the lung tissue eNOS activity of the LPS + NaHS group [(4.81 +/- 0.23) Uxmg(-1)xprot(-1)] was significantly lower, and the iNOS activity [(14.6 +/- 0.4) Uxmg(-1)xprot(-1)], iNOS protein expression, and NO content [(217 +/- 18) micromol/L] were significantly higher (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The lung tissue HO activity [(173 +/- 31) pkat/g], HO protein expression, and CO content [(3.63 +/- 0.24)%] of the LPS group were all significantly higher than those of the control group [(125 +/- 22) pkat/g, (2.48 +/- 0.33)%, both P < 0.05], and the LPS + PPG group [(88 +/- 17) pkat/g, (2.98 +/- 0.23)%, both P < 0.05]. Compared to the LPS group, the lung tissue HO activity [(263 +/- 37) pkat/g], HO protein expression, and CO content [(4.35 +/- 0.32)%] of the LPS + NaHS group were all significantly higher (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The increase of H(2)S generation participates in the lung tissue injury during ES and this event is related to eNOS activity decrease, iNOS activity increase that causes the production of large amount of NO. H2S up-regulates the HO-1/CO system in the lung tissues during ES, which may be the endogenous compensatory response against the injury.

Anti-IL-20 monoclonal antibody suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression.

Interleukin (IL)-20 is a member of the IL-10 family of cytokines, which has been reported to participate in autoimmune inflammatory diseases. However, the potential role of IL-20 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression has not yet been investigated. In the present study, it was observed that IL-20 mRNA and protein levels were markedly increased in the HCC tissues examined via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining. In addition, IL-20 expression was significantly associated with tumor size, metastasis, TNM stage and poor prognosis in patients with HCC. Mouse recombinant IL-20 (mIL-20) enhanced liver cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, while the anti-IL-20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) attenuated the effect of mIL-20, inhibiting cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro and suppressing cell growth in vitro and in vivo. This was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, Transwell assays and a xenograft tumor nude mouse model. Western blotting revealed that IL-20 promoted HCC progression through inducing transforming growth factor-ß and matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression and enhancing the phosphorylation of Jun N-terminal kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. The results of the present study indicated that IL-20 promotes HCC development. In addition, anti-IL-20 mAb may attenuate the effect of IL-20 and suppress liver tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo, indicating that anti-IL-20 mAbs may potentially serve as effective therapeutic agents for HCC.

A fourteen years follow-up of a case of partial trisomy 12q and monosomy 12p recombinants of a familial pericentric inversion of chromosome 12: clinical, cytogenetic and molecular observations.

Partial trisomy 12q and monosomy 12p lead to multiple malformation syndromes. Only four cases were previously reported with the association of these two aneusomies resulting from a familial pericentric inversion of chromosome 12. We report on the clinical, cytogenetic and molecular findings in a boy with an unbalanced karyotype which resulted from a familial pericentric inversion of chromosome 12. The patient was evaluated at birth and followed up until 14 years of age. He showed severe mental retardation, seizures, and dysmorphic features related both to a trisomy 12q and a monosomy 12p. Chromosome breakpoint BAC-FISH mapping revealed that the rec(12) chromosome had a terminal deletion of a 6.7Mb region extending from 12pter to 12p13.31 and a duplicated region of 19.8Mb extending from 12qter to 12q24.13. The findings from the case reported here emphasize the occurrence of some consistent clinical features and illustrate the deficiencies associated with the recombinants from the inversion inv(12)(p13.31q24.13)mat.