[Effect of sacubitril/valsartan on cardiac function in heart failure rabbits with preserved ejection fraction].

Objective: To investigate the effect of sacubitril/valsartan on cardiac function in heart failure rabbits with preserved ejection fraction. Methods: Forty-five healthy adult male New Zealand rabbits were divided into sham operation group (n=12) and model group (n=33) by random number table method. HFpEF model was constructed by abdominal aortic constriction in model group. In sham operation group, 1 rabbit died due to anesthesia accident, and 1 rabbit in model group died of acute left heart failure. At 8 weeks of modeling, 3 rabbits were excluded due to the failure to establish the successful model. At the 8th week of modeling, 2 rabbits in sham operation group were selected and sacrificed by random number table method, and 3 rabbits in model group were selected and sacrificed for myocardial histological examination. Then, 9 rabbits in sham operation group and 26 rabbits in model group entered the subsequent experiment. The model group was randomly divided into untreated group (n=8), valsartan intervention group (n=9), and sacubitril/valsartan intervention group (n=9), respectively, drugs were applied per gavage. The feeding and exercise activity of rabbits in each group were evaluated by simple cardiac function classification at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks post intervention. Echocardiography was used to detect interventricular septal thickness at diastole(IVSd), interventricular septal thickness at systolic(IVSs), left ventricular posterior wall of diastolic(LVPWd), left ventricular internal diameter at diastolic(LVIDd), left ventricular internal diameter at systolic(LVIDs), and calculate the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), mitral valve's early diastolic flow velocity(E)/late mitral diastolic maximum flow rate ratio(A) and heart rate at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks post intervention. Serum N terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and angiotensin (Ang)Ⅱ and soluble matrix lysin 2(sST2) content was determined by ELISA at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks post intervention. Eight weeks after intervention, the hearts of rabbits were taken and weighed, and heart mass index (HMI) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were calculated. Results: (1) Evaluation results of cardiac function: there were 2, 5, and 2 rabbits with cardiac function grade Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ before the drug intervention, and 4, 4, and 1 rabbits with respective cardiac function grade after 8 weeks of intervention in valsartan group (P>0.05). There were 2, 4, and 3 rabbits with heart function gradeⅠ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ before the drug intervention, and 7, 2, and 0 rabbits with respective heart function grade after 8 weeks of intervention in sacubitril/valsartan group(P<0.05). (2) Echocardiographic results: at 8 weeks after drug intervention, IVSd and IVSs of rabbits in untreated group were significantly higher than those in sham operation group, and the ratio of E/A was significantly lower than that in sham operation group(all P<0.01). IVSs of the valsartan group was significantly higher than that of sham operation group, and the ratio of E/A was significantly lower than that of sham operation group(all P<0.01). The E/A ratio in the sacubitril/valsartan group was significantly lower than that in sham operation group(P<0.01). IVSd and IVSs in valsartan group were significantly lower than those in untreated group(all P<0.05), and IVSd in sacubitril/valsartan group was significantly lower than that in untreated group(P<0.01). The IVSd, IVSs, LVPWd, LVIDd, LVIDs, LVEF, E/A ratios were similar between sacubitril/valsartan group and valsartan group(all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in heart rate between the groups(P>0.05). (3) Serum NT-proBNP, Ang Ⅱ and sST2 levels: 4 weeks after drug intervention, untreated group, valsartan group, and sacubitril/valsartan group's serum NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher than that of sham operation group(all P<0.01); serum NT-proBNP was significantly lower in sacubitril/valsartan group than that in untreated group(P<0.01). Four weeks after intervention, serum AngⅡ levels were significantly higher in untreated group, valsartan group, sacubitril/valsartan group than in sham group(all P<0.01), but there was no statistically significant difference between the modeling groups(P>0.05). Four weeks after drug intervention, the serum sST2 contents in untreated group, valsartan group, and sacubitril/valsartan group were significantly higher than in sham operation group(all P<0.01), and which was significantly lower in valsartan group and sacubitril/valsartan group than in untreated group(all P<0.01), which were significantly lower in sacubitril/valsartan group than in valsartan group(P<0.01). Eight weeks after drug intervention, serum NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in untreated group, valsartan group, and sacubitril/valsartan group than in sham operation group(all P<0.01), which were significantly lower in valsartan group and sacubitril/valsartan group than in untreated group(all P<0.01), which were significantly lower in valsartan group than in sacubitril/valsartan group(P<0.01). Eight weeks after drug intervention, Ang Ⅱ levels were significantly higher in valsartan group and sacubitril/valsartan group than in untreated group(all P<0.01), which tended to be higher in untreated group and valsartan group, tended to be lower in sacubitril/valsartan compared to value at 4 weeks(all P>0.05). Eight weeks after drug intervention, serum sST2 was significantly higher in untreated group and valsartan group than in sham operation group(all P<0.01), which tended to be higher in sacubitril/valsartan group compared to sham operation group(P>0.05), which were significantly lower in valsartan group and sacubitril/valsartan group than in untreated group(all P<0.01), which was significantly lower in sacubitril/valsartan group than in valsartan group(P<0.01). (4) Comparison of whole-heart mass, left ventricular mass, HMI and LVMI: 8 weeks after drug intervention, the whole-heart mass, left ventricular mass, HMI and LVMI were significantly higher in untreated group than in sham operation group(all P<0.01), and the above indexes were also significantly higher in valsartan group than in sham operation group(all P<0.05), tended to be lower in valsartan group compared to untreated group (all P>0.05). HMI and LVMI were lower in sacubitril/valsartan group than in untreated group(all P<0.05). All the above indexes tended to be lower in sacubitril/valsartan group than in valsartan group(all P>0.05). Conclusion: Sacubitril/valsartan is superior to valsartan alone on improving cardiac function in HFpEF rabbits.

Single nucleotide polymorphism variants within tva and tvb receptor genes in Chinese chickens.

Avian leukosis is an immunosuppressive neoplastic disease caused by avian leukosis viruses (ALV), which causes tremendous economic losses in the worldwide poultry industry. The susceptibility or resistance of chicken cells to subgroup A ALV and subgroup B, D, and E ALV are determined by the receptor genes tumor virus locus A (tva) and tumor virus locus B (tvb), respectively. Four genetic resistant loci (tva(r1), tva(r2), tva(r3), and tva(r4)) in tva receptor gene and a genetic resistant locus tvb(r) in the tvb receptor gene have been identified in inbred lines of White Leghorn. To evaluate the genetic resistance to subgroup A, B, D, and E ALV, genetic variations within resistant loci in tva and tvb genes were screened in Chinese local chicken breeds and commercial broiler lines. Here, the heterozygote tva(s1/r1) and the resistant genotype tva(r2/r2), tva(r3/r3), and tva(r4/r4) were detected in Chinese chickens by direct sequencing. The heterozygote tva(s1/r1) was detected in Huiyang Bearded chicken (HYBC), Rizhaoma chicken, and commercial broiler line 13 to 15 (CB13 to CB15), with the frequencies at 0.08, 0.18, 0.17, 0.25, and 0.15, respectively. The resistant genotype tva(r2/r2) was detected in Jiningbairi chicken (JNBRC), HYBC, and CB15, with the frequencies at 0.03, 0.08, and 0.06, respectively, whereas tva(r3/r3) and tva(r4/r4) were detected in 19 and 17 of the 25 Chinese chickens tested, with the average frequencies at 0.13 and 0.20, respectively. Furthermore, the resistant genotype tvb(r/r) was detected in JNBRC, CB07, CB12, CB14, and CB15 by pyrosequencing assay, with the frequencies at 0.03, 0.03, 0.11, 0.09, and 0.15, respectively. These results demonstrated that the potential for genetic improvement of resistance to subgroup A, B, D, and E ALV were great both in Chinese local chickens and commercial broilers. This study provides valuable insight into the selective breeding for chickens genetically resistant to ALV.

Agminated spitz nevi: case report and review of the literature.

Spitz nevi are benign melanocytic lesions with many histologic similarities to malignant melanoma. A case of agminated Spitz nevi on a 2-year-old boy's left cheek is reported and 41 other cases of agminated Spitz nevi are reviewed. In this case, two biopsies were performed on two different-appearing lesions and the results of both biopsies showed Spitz nevi.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 regulates TGF-ß1 production in airway epithelia and asthmatic airway remodeling in mice.

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 produced in airway epithelia has been suggested as a contributor to the airway remodeling observed in asthma patients. The protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 is a demonstrable modulator of TGF-ß1 production and thus a potential regulator of airway remodeling. OBJECTIVES: To define the signal event by which SHP2 regulates asthmatic responses in airway epithelial cells by using a mouse model of experimental OVA-induced airway remodeling. METHODS: The airways of Shp2(flox/flox) mice were infected with recombinant adenovirus vectors expressing a Cre recombinase-green fluorescence protein (GFP) fusion protein as part of allergen provocation studies using mice sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and repeatedly challenged with OVA. Several endpoint pathologies were assessed, including airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR), lung inflammatory score, peribronchial collagen deposition, and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) hyperplasia. In vitro studies using airway epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were used to investigate the role of SHP2 in the regulation of pulmonary remodeling events, including the expression of collagen, α-SMA, and TGF-ß1. RESULTS: Chronic OVA challenges in wild-type mice resulted in airway remodeling and lung dysfunction (e.g., increased inflammatory scores, collagen deposition (fibrosis), smooth muscle hyperplasia, and a significant increase in AHR). These endpoint pathology metrics were each significantly attenuated by conditional shp2 gene knockdown in airway epithelia. In vitro studies using BEAS-2B cells also demonstrated that the level of TGF-ß1 production by these cells correlated with the extent of shp2 gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: SHP2 activities in airway epithelial cells appear to modulate TGF-ß1 production and, in turn, regulate allergic airway remodeling following allergen provocation. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Our findings identify SHP2 as a previously underappreciated contributor to the airway remodeling and lung dysfunction associated with allergen challenge. As such, SHP2 represents a potentially novel therapeutic target for the treatment of asthmatics. CAPSULE SUMMARY: Airway epithelial protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 appears to modulate TGF-ß1 activities as part of one or more cellular pathways leading to regulating the airway remodeling and lung dysfunction occurring in mouse models of allergic respiratory inflammation.

Different combinations of probiotics improve the production performance, egg quality, and immune response of layer hens.

To evaluate the effects of different combinations of probiotics on performance, egg quality, and immune response of layer hens, a trial was carried out with 1,800 white feather layer hens of the Lohmann variety. The experiment was conducted by using a completely randomized design with 9 treatments, 4 replicates, and 50 hens in each replicate. Compared with the control group, group F, which added a composition of heat-inactivated Lactobacillus salivarius(CB) and Bacillus subtilis to the diets of layer hens, caused highly significant (P < 0.05) increases in egg production, daily egg yield, damaged egg ratio, combined with a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in feed conversion and damaged egg ratio. Group G, adding a combination of inactivated Lactobacillus salivarius and sodium butyrate, resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.05) in daily egg yield, feed conversion, damaged egg ratio and Haugh unit. Meanwhile, groups D and H had significantly decreased feed conversion (P < 0.05), and groups B, H, and I had a significantly decreased damaged egg ratio. In serum levels, no significant difference was observed except a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in total cholesterol (groups D, E, and G) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (group E and G) and a significant increase (P < 0.05) in total cholesterol (groups D, E, and G) compared with group A. According to the hemagglutination inhibition test, the antibody titer of antibody against the avian influenza virus was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in most treated groups such as groups B, C, E, G, and I after d 15 fed to layers with probiotics and groups B, C, D, E, F, G, and H after d 45 compared with the control group. No significant difference was observed in the antibody titer against the Newcastle disease virus at d 15, but significantly (P < 0.05) higher at d 45 in groups F and G. These results demonstrate that several combinations of probiotics used in this experiment have a positive impact on the performance, egg quality, and immune response of layer hens, and the following work will continue to focus on these groups.

Development and application of a reverse-transcription recombinase-aided amplification assay for subgroup J Avian leukosis virus.

Subgroup J Avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) is an important pathogen of poultry tumor diseases. Since its discovery, it has caused significant economic losses to the poultry industry. Thus, the rapid detection of molecular level with strong specificity is particularly important whether poultry are infected with ALV-J. In this study, we designed primers and probe for real-time fluorescent reverse-transcription recombinase-aided amplification assay (RT-RAA) based on the ALV-J gp85 sequence. We had established a real-time fluorescent RT-RAA method and confirmed this system by verifying the specificity and sensitivity of the primers and probe. In addition, repeatability tests and clinical sample regression tests were used for preliminary evaluation of this detection method. The sensitivity of established method was about 101 copies/µL, and the repeatability of the CV of the CT value is 4%, indicating repeatability is good. Moreover, there was no cross-reactivity with NDV, IBV, IBDV, H9N2, MDV, and REV, and other avian leukosis virus subgroups, such as subgroups A, B, C, D, K and E. Importantly, the real-time fluorescent RT-RAA completed the test within 30 min at a constant temperature of 41°C. Forty-two clinical samples with known background were tested, and the test results were coincided with 100%. Overall, these results suggested that the real-time fluorescent RT-RAA developed in this study had strong specificity, high sensitivity, and good feasibility. The method is simple, easy, and portable, that is suitable for clinical and laboratory diagnosis, and provides technical support for the prevention and control of ALV-J.

Cloning and phylogenetic analysis of hemagglutinin gene of H9N2 subtype avian influenza virus from different isolates in China during 2002 to 2009.

Forty-seven strains of H9 subtype avian influenza viruses identified by specific reverse transcription-PCR method were isolated from the chicken and duck flocks in different areas of China during the 2002 to 2009 epizootic period. Hemagglutinin (HA) genes of these strains were sequenced and analyzed with the representative strains published in GenBank. The results indicated that the HA genes of these strains and the vaccine strains displayed nucleotide homologies ranging from 91.7 to 96.6% and amino acid homologies ranging from 92.3 to 95.7%, respectively. Analysis of the mature peptide sequences of these HA genes showed that the presence of leucine at position 216 (corresponding to residue 226 in H3 numbering) indicated a preference to the binding of alpha (2-6) sialic acid receptors, which was the same as human isolates. Extra potential glycosylation sites appeared in the HA genes of most tested isolations compared with the vaccine strains. The HA cleavage sites of most of the strains were the 335PSRSSR downward arrow GLF341, but all of the strains met the characteristics of low-pathogenic avian influenza. The results of phylogenetic analysis indicated that all 47 strains and the current vaccine strains belong to the same phylogenetic lineage h9.4.2, but they had some genetic deviation in the last decade. Compared with the vaccine strains, 7 mutations were found in the antigen epitope region of the HA genes of the field strains. These results suggested that the commercial vaccine might not induce satisfactory prevention against infection of H9N2 avian influenza virus.

Molecular detection of Muscovy duck parvovirus by loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay.

Muscovy duck parvovirus (MDPV) usually causes high morbidity and mortality in 1- to 3-wk-old Muscovy ducklings due to serious infections, which is an imminent threat to the commercial duck industry in China. The objectives of this study were to develop and evaluate a simple, rapid, and inexpensive loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for specific detection of MDPV and to compare it with the PCR method in rapidity, sensitivity, and accuracy. The novel LAMP assay used a set of 4 specific primers to recognize 6 distinct genomic sequences of capsid protein (VP3) from MDPV, which could be completed within 50 min at 63 degrees C in a simple water bath. The diagnostic results demonstrated that the LAMP assay detected all 7 preserved MDPV isolates, had no cross-reactivity with other duck pathogens (i.e., goose parvovirus, duck plague virus, H9N2 avian influenza virus, duck hepatitis type virus I, and Muscovy duck reovirus). The LAMP assay was at least 10-fold more sensitive than the routine PCR assay and obtained more sensitivity in 61 clinical samples. Therefore, the newly developed LAMP assay provides a specific and sensitive means for detecting MDPV and can be simply applied both in field conditions and in laboratory operations in a cost-effective manner with primary care facilities.

Preparation and immune activity analysis of H5N1 subtype avian influenza virus recombinant protein-based vaccine.

Avian influenza is a severe disease among farmed poultry and free-living birds and a constant threat to the commercial chicken industry around the world. Hemagglutinin (HA) is the major immunogen on the envelope of influenza A virus and is the predominant inducer of neutralizing antibody. To obtain the bioactive antigen proteins in large quantities, a new protein expression vector pBCX was constructed, which is based on the pET32a vector. The HA gene of the H5N1 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV) was inserted into the pBCX vector and expressed efficiently in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Fused expression of the exogenous gene and msyB produced a 97-kDa msyB-HA fusion protein. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE combined with scanning analysis demonstrated that the msyB-HA fusion protein accounted for 29.5% of the total bacterial protein, 90.5% being soluble. The msyB-HA fusion protein was purified with nondenaturing 50% Ni-NTA column chromatography, and the result showed that 24 mg of purified msyB-HA fusion protein could be obtained from 1 L of induced expression bacterial culture medium. The comparative results in the present study showed that pBCX was superior to pET32a as a protein expression vector. Western blotting showed the recombinant msyB-HA (rHA) to have better antigenic activity, which may be the result from the better posttranslation protein modification and folding in the pBCX expression system. With the rHA fusion protein as antigen, we successfully prepared and screened specific monoclonal antibodys against the H5N1 subtype AIV, which indicated that the rHA had antigen epitopes and biofunctions. The immune test confirmed that the rHA protein vaccine could also induce high neutralizing antibodies, and the AIV challenge test proved that the rHA protein-based vaccine could prevent the corresponding infection. This study demonstrates that the recombinant HA protein produced by the pBCX expression system could be used as a recombinant protein-based vaccine and has potential for further development for diagnosis.

Activation of PKA and phosphorylation of sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter 2 by prostaglandin E2 promote osteoblast-like differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells.

Sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter (SVCT) 2-mediated L-ascorbic acid (AA) uptake is required in osteoblast-like differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is among the most important local factors in bone formation, but the detailed mechanism by which PGE2 induces osteoblast differentiation remains obscure. We revealed that PGE2 induced AA uptake and osteoblast-like differential markers including alkaline phosphatase, collagen, osteocalcin expression, and mineralization in MC3T3-E1 cells. Inhibition of AA uptake by SVCT2 short isoform functioning as a dominant-negative mutant not only robustly attenuated PGE2-induced markers expression and mineralization, but also decreased their basal levels. However, upregulation of AA uptake resulted from PGE2-induced plasma membrane translocation of cytoplasm SVCT2, and this effect was abolished by pretreatment with EP4 receptor antagonist, AH-23848B or cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, H-89. Moreover, we showed SVCT2 physically interacted with PKA in immunoprecipitates, and PKA phosphorylated SVCT2 in vitro and in intact cells at Ser402 and Ser639 sites; however, mutation of Ser402 or/and Ser639 in SVCT2 severely diminished SVCT2 translocation in response to PGE2. Together, these results suggest that PGE2-induced SVCT2 plasma membrane translocation through EP4 receptor and subsequent phosphorylation of SVCT2 at Ser402 and Ser639 sites by PKA results in an increase of AA uptake and consequent promotion of osteoblast-like differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells.

Molecular characteristic and pathogenicity analysis of a virulent recombinant avain infectious bronchitis virus isolated in China.

A virulent infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), designated as CK/CH/GD/QY16 (referred as QY16), was isolated from a diseased chicken farm in Guangdong province, China, in 2016. The complete genome of the strain was sequenced and analyzed. The results show that the genome of QY16 consists of 27,670 nucleotides, excluding poly (A) tail, and that its genome organization is 5' UTR-1a-1b-S-3a-3b-E-M-4b-4c-5a-5b-N-6b-3' UTR-poly (A) tail. Sequence comparison among QY16 and other IBV strains was conducted and its results demonstrate that the S1 gene of QY16 has the highest nucleotide sequence identity with that of 4/91, and the other part of its genome is highly similar to that of YX10. The results of the phylogenic analysis show that the entire genome of QY16 and most of the QY16 genes are located in the same cluster as those of YX10, except for the S1 gene which is located in the same cluster with that of 4/91. It has been further confirmed by the RDP and SimPlot analysis that QY16 is a recombinant strain deriving from YX10 (as the major parental sequence) and 4/91 (as the minor parental sequence), and that the recombination occurs in a region which includes the 3'-terminal 1b sequence (85 nt) and the 5'-terminal S1 protein gene sequence (1,466 nt). The results of the vaccination-challenge test suggest that QY16 is a nephropathogenic strain of IBV and that the vaccine strains-H120 and 4/91-cannot provide effective protection against it. These results indicate that the continuing evolution of IBV strains by genetic drift and genetic recombination may lead to IBV outbreaks even among the vaccinated chickens in China.

Isolation and genetic characterization of a novel adeno-associated virus from Muscovy ducks in China.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV; genus Dependoparvovirus, family Parvoviridae) was first discovered in 1965 as a contaminant in adenovirus preparations. The AAVs are generally considered non-pathogenic, and they have the ability to attenuate the replication of other more pathogenic viruses, which makes them attractive as potential therapeutics or preventative measures. This study characterized a novel AAV isolated from Muscovy ducks in China. The novel virus (MHH-05-2015) was isolated after propagating a field isolate of the DAdV-3 virus (a type 3 duck adenovirus) in duck embryo fibroblasts. The full genome sequence of MHH-05-2015 was determined, and the nucleotide and amino acid sequences were compared to other avian AAVs. The genomic distribution of the structural and non-structural protein-coding genes in MHH-05-2015 was conserved and consistent with the other AAVs. Compared to previously isolated avian AAVs, MHH-05-2015 had approximately 63 to 64% sequence identity. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that MHH-05-2015 clustered separately from other avian AAVs, suggesting that MHH-05-2015 was not directly descended from other Dependoparvovirus family members. These results suggest that MHH-05-2015 is a new subtype of AAV that is distinct from other avian AAVs.

Detection and genome sequencing of porcine circovirus 3 in neonatal pigs with congenital tremors in South China.

Porcine circovirus 3 (PCV3) is a novel circovirus first discovered in the United States in piglets and sows with porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome, reproductive failure, cardiac and multisystemic inflammation. Here, seven PCV3 strains were identified for the first time from neonatal pigs with clinical signs of congenital tremors (CT) in South China. The tissue tropism of PCV3 in CT-affected piglets was analysed by the real-time quantitative PCR, and the result showed that high loads of viral genomes were detected in the brains and hearts. The complete genomes of seven new PCV3 revealed 96.8%-99.6% nucleotide identities with eleven other PCV3 strains previously reported from the United States and China. Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete genome sequences showed that all PCV3 strains clustered together and were clearly separated from other circovirus species. This study reports on the first identification of PCV3 in CT-affected newborn piglets and provides the epidemiological information of neonatal piglets with CT in Guangdong and Guangxi Provinces of China.

[Antianaphylactic components of Asarum forbsii Maxin].

From the ethyl acetate extract of Asarum forbesii Maxin, four new constituents, asarumin A(I), B(II), C(III) and D(IV), were isolated along with elemicin (V), trans-asarone(VI) and linoleic acid(VII). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated as methyl 3 S-benzoyloxy-2 S-hydroxy-2-isopropylbutyrate for I, methyl 2 R-benzoyloxyisopentanoate for II, methyl 2 R-trans-cinnamoyloxyisopentanoate for III and methyl 2 R-piperonyloyloxyisopentanoate for IV. Compounds I, II, III and VII showed weak inhibition of PCA in rats, but the other compounds were inactive.

[Effects of fermented Cordyceps powder on pulmonary function in sensitized guinea pigs and airway inflammation in sensitized rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study Cordyceps (artificial fermented Cordyceps sinensis(Berk.) Sacc) powderin the treatment of asthma in the animal models. METHOD: Pulmonary function and airway inflammation in vivo were investigated. RESULT: Cordyceps, 5g.kg-1(ig), significantly inhibited bronchial challenge of ovalbumin-induced change of RL and Cdyn (P < 0.05) and inhibited antigen-induced increase of eosinophils in the BALF of rats (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggested cordyceps could be applied for the prevention and cure of asthma.

Mannose prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of mannose on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced acute lung injury (ALI) in rats. METHODS: Ten groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were used: 1) the control group received an intratracheal instillation of saline, 2) the LPS group received an intratracheal instillation of LPS (3 mg/kg), 3-6) the mannose groups were injected i.v. with 15, 45, 135, and 405 mg/kg mannose, 7-9) the glucose, galactose, and fructose groups were injected with different hexoses (135 mg/kg), and 10) the dexamethasone (DXM) group was injected with DXM (2 mg/kg). In groups 2-8, LPS was administered after injection of drugs. Lung wet/dry weight ratio, permeability index (PPI), total leukocytes and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-10 in lung and BALF were determined. RESULTS: Pre-treatment with mannose attenuated pulmonary edema and protein exudation in a dose-dependent manner, the maximal effect was similar to or greater than that of DXM. Mannose also prevented the inflammatory cell accumulation, although the maximal effect was weaker than that of DXM. Mannose was more effective than DXM in inhibiting MPO activity and restoring SOD activity. Moreover, it inhibited production of TNF-alpha and IL-10. Histological changes of the lungs were also ameliorated by mannose. There were no significant improvements observed in rats pre-treated with glucose, galactose or fructose. CONCLUSIONS: Mannose is effective in reducing LPS-induced ALI.