直立型扁蓿豆对干旱胁迫和复水的响应及适应策略

以直立型扁蓿豆[Medicago ruthenica（L.）Sojak.cv.Zhilixing]为材料，于苗期连续干旱处理12 d后复水4 d，研究直立型扁蓿豆幼苗形态结构特征、生理代谢及生物量分配对干旱胁迫及复水的响应，揭示直立型扁蓿豆对干旱胁迫及复水的适应策略。结果表明：随着干旱胁迫时间延长，直立型扁蓿豆叶片气孔开放率逐渐降低，处理9 d后气孔及表皮细胞密度比正常浇水处理（CK）分别增加48.5%和36.6%，形成小而密的表皮细胞和气孔。生理上，除MDA含量随胁迫时间的延长逐渐增加外，其余指标均先升高后降低，干旱胁迫9 d时达最高，SOD、POD、叶绿素、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白及脯氨酸分别较CK提高88.9%、111.2%、86.7%、140.5%、147.8%和124.6%。同时，生物量随胁迫时间的延长先增大后减小，于干旱胁迫9 d达最大值，比CK增加16.4%，总的分配格局表现出地上生物量投资高于地下，地下生物量投资比例随胁迫时间的延长逐渐增加，而地上生物量变化与其相反。复水后各指标均能恢复至CK水平或超过CK，表现出极强的复水敏感性和潜在恢复能力。该品种扁蓿豆对干旱胁迫及复水的适应主要分为3个时期：主动适应期，其生理参数的可塑性指数为形态参数的1.33倍，主要通过抗氧化及渗透调节来减少水分散失增加水分吸收、缓解氧化伤害以适应干旱逆境；被动适应期，其形态参数的可塑性指数为生理参数的1.31倍，主要采用牺牲生物量的生存策略以及降低色素含量减少光吸收的光保护机制来提高逆境下的生存能力；复水恢复期，根冠比、气孔开放率、气孔及表皮细胞密度比CK分别增加25.9%、29.7%、24.2%和16.3%，其较高的根冠比和叶片较高的气孔开放率及小而密的气孔及表皮细胞特征，保证了直立型扁蓿豆吸水能力以及水分运输效率的迅速恢复。综上，直立型扁蓿豆抗旱能力较强，能够通过形态生理的改变以及调整不同器官的生物量分配来应对与适应干旱逆境及复水，且在不同处理阶段采取不同的适应策略以达到生存目的。     

混合盐胁迫对马蔺幼苗根系构型及生长量的影响

为探讨不同种类盐胁迫对马蔺幼苗生长状况的影响,采用室内培养的方法,研究总质量浓度为0.3%的NaCl、NaHCO₃单盐溶液及其不同配比的混合盐溶液胁迫对马蔺(Iris lactea var. chinensis)幼苗生长量、地上部干鲜重比值、地下部干鲜重比值以及根系构型的影响。结果表明,随着胁迫时间的延长,0.3%NaCl溶液对叶数和株高增长量的影响最小,其次为3种混合盐溶液,各处理在第14天时株高增幅达到最大。经0.3%NaHCO₃处理后的幼苗地上部干鲜重的比值为空白对照的2.17倍,地下部干鲜重则为空白对照的56.61%,随着混合溶液中NaHCO₃浓度的上升,地上部干鲜重比值表现出上升的趋势,地下部干鲜重比值则表现出下降的趋势。经35天处理后,0.3%NaHCO₃胁迫的马蔺幼苗根系总长、根系表面积较对照均显著下降,降幅分别为39.73%、26.08%,而各处理间的根系体积却无显著差异。研究结果显示,0.3%NaHCO₃溶液对马蔺幼苗的胁迫作用最强,2种单盐对根系的胁迫作用强于混合盐胁迫,而0.3%NaCl溶液对生长量的胁迫作用最弱。     

Role of PERK pathway in morphine-induced myocardial protection of H9c2 cells

AIM: To explore whether morphine protects oxidative stress-damaged myocardial cells by inhibiting the PERK pathway to reduce endoplasmic reticulum stress and prevent mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening. METHODS: Rat myocardial H9c2 cells were cultured to establish an oxidative stress model, and then randomly divided into control group, H₂O₂ group, H₂O₂+morphine group, H₂O₂+morphine+PERK pathway inhibitor GSK2656157 group, morphine group and GSK2656157 group. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the effects of morphine on expression of glucose-regulated protein (GRP) 78 and GRP94 induced by oxidative stress. The protein levels of PERK signaling pathway-related molecules were determined by Western blot. Confocal microscopy was used to observe the effects of morphine on mPTP opening and endoplasmic reticulum induced by oxidative stress. Cellular toxicity was detected by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) kit and cell viability was measured by MTT assay. RESULTS: Compared with control group, GRP78 and GRP94 proteins in H₂O₂ group were strongly expressed, and the brown-yellow particles were significantly increased, but morphine significantly inhibited this process. Compared with control group, the phosphorylation of PERK was significantly reduced with GSK2656157 treatment at different concentrations, among which 2 μmol/L had the most significant effect (P < 0.05). Oxidative stress significantly increased the protein levels of GRP78, GRP94, p-PERK and CHOP, but significantly decreased p-GSK-3β level. These changes were inhibited by morphine, and the effects of morphine were further enhanced by GSK2656157 (P < 0.05). Compared with control group, oxidative stress significantly reduced the fluorescence intensity of mitochondrial TMRE and ER-Tracker Red. Morphine significantly inhibited this effect even when mitochondrial membrane potential was reduced, mPTP was open, and endoplasmic reticulum was damaged, while GSK2656157 further enhanced the effect of morphine (P < 0.05). Compared with control group, H₂O₂ significantly increased cellular toxicity and decreased the cell viability. Morphine inhibited this effect and GSK2656157 significantly enhanced the effect of morphine (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Morphine protects cardiac H9c2 cells under oxidative condition by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress through PERK pathway and preventing the mPTP opening via GSK-3β inactivation.     

Effects of apelin-13 on oxidative stress induced by high uric acid in adipocytes

AIM: To study the effects of apelin-13 on oxidative stress induced by high uric acid in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: 3T3-L1 adipocytes were stimulated with uric acid at 10 mg/dL for 48 h. Some of the adipocytes were administered with 1 μmol/L apelin-13 in the presence of uric acid at 10 mg/dL. The adipocytes stimulated with 100 μmol/L H₂O₂ were served as positive controls. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations were detected by flow cytometry. The biochemical kits were used to measure the activities of superotide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) and NADPH oxidase (NOX) activity, and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the cell lysate and the supernatant. The mRNA levels of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components, including angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin-converting enzyrne1 (ACE1), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and AT2R, as well as angiotensin II receptor -like 1 (APJ) were measured by real-time PCR. The concentrations of angiotensin II (AngⅡ) in the cell lysate and the supernatant were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Adipocytes stimulated with uric acid at 10 mg/dL had lower activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH-PX and CAT) and higher levels of NOX activity and MDA content (P < 0.05). Accordingly, the intracellular ROS levels were found to be dramatically increased. However, apelin-13 administration attenuated uric acid-induced oxidative stress in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Uric acid at 10 mg/dL upregulated the mRNA expression of local RAS, enhanced AngⅡ concentrations both in the cell lysate and the supernatant, and down-regulated the mRNA level of APJ in the adipocytes (P < 0.05). Conversely, apelin-13 partially reversed these parameters. CONCLUSION: Apelin-13 attenuates oxidative stress induced by uric acid, may be via down-regulation of local RAS expression in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes.     

欧洲葡萄‘粉红亚都蜜’NAC基因DRL1负向调节植物抗旱性

以欧洲葡萄‘粉红亚都蜜’（Vitis vinifera‘Yatomo Rose’）为材料，利用荧光定量PCR技术和转基因技术研究葡萄NAC转录因子DRL1基因对逆境的响应。欧洲葡萄‘粉红亚都蜜’在激素和逆境胁迫下，DRL1表达呈下降趋势，其中以ABA和干旱胁迫处理最为显著。在ABA处理下DRL1转基因烟草株系种子萌发率和根长均高于野生型。干旱处理下，转基因植株对干旱的耐受性降低，同时胁迫相关基因NtLEA5、NtP5CR1、NtPSCS1、NtERD10C和NtDREB3的表达水平比野生型显著下降。此外，DRL1转基因烟草茎中柱发育受到抑制，尤其是导管横切面积仅为野生型的58%。以上结果表明，DRL1基因可能作为1个负向调节子参与植物的干旱胁迫。     

黄瓜耐盐性与耐盐相关基因的研究进展

黄瓜是重要的设施蔬菜之一,由于其根系具有脆弱、好气、分布较浅的特点,对盐渍环境适应性较差,土壤盐渍化已成为影响其产量和品质的主要限制因素。本文主要从光合作用、离子毒害、细胞膜和抗氧化酶等角度阐述了黄瓜对盐胁迫的反应及其基本的耐盐机理,介绍了黄瓜耐盐(包括与Na~+/K~+、植物激素和活性氧的调节)相关基因的研究进展,并指出了黄瓜耐盐性研究中存在的问题,旨在为揭示黄瓜的耐盐机理与耐盐育种提供理论参考。     

Changes in blood biomarkers in Arabian horses with Clostridium difficile-induced enterocolitis

Clostridium difficile (CD) is considered a major health care problem both in developing and developed countries; frequently reported to be associated with enterocolitis and diarrhea in horses and other animals. In this study, we examined acute phase response (APR), cytokines response, neopterin (NP) procalcitonin (PCT) production and oxidative stress condition in horses and foals with C. difficile-induced enterocolitis (CDIE) and evaluated the effectiveness of these parameters as biomarkers for the disease. A total of 407 Arabian horses in 35 stables were examined between January 2017 to December 2018. Only 24 out of 407 horses showed two or more signs of CDIE. The blood level of serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (HP), proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL1-β), serum malondialdehyde (MDA), PCT and NPT in horses with CDIE were higher than in healthy horses. Nevertheless, the levels of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant concentration (TAC) were considerably lower in diseased horses compared to those that were healthy. The ROC curves for eleven selected blood parameters, both in healthy horses and horses with CDIE demonstrated that all examined blood markers had significant levels of differentiation between CDIE cases and healthy controls (AUC > 87.5). The data in this study suggest that the evaluation of acute-phase proteins, cytokines, PCT, NPT, and oxidative stress biomarkers may well be used as a tool for diagnosis and assessment of CDIE and in disease pathogenesis in Arabian horses.     

Gastrointestinal motility modulation by stress is associated with reduced smooth muscle contraction through specific transient receptor potential channel

Excessive stress response causes disability in social life. There are many diseases caused by stress, such as gastrointestinal motility disorders, depression, eating disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels underlie non-selective cation currents and are downstream effectors of G protein-coupled receptors. Ca²⁺ influx is important for smooth muscle contraction, which is responsible for gastrointestinal motility. Little is known about the possible involvement of TRP channels in the gastrointestinal motility disorders due to stress. The purpose of this study was to measure the changes in gastrointestinal motility caused by stress and to elucidate the mechanism of these changes. The stress model used the water immersion restraint stress. Gastrointestinal motility, especially the ileum, was recorded responses to electric field stimulation (EFS) by isometric transducer. EFS-induced contraction was significantly reduced in the ileum of stressed mouse. Even under the conditions treated with atropine, EFS-induced contraction was significantly reduced in the ileum of stressed mouse. In addition, carbachol-induced, neurokinin A-induced, and substance P-induced contractions were all significantly reduced in the ileum of stressed mouse. Furthermore, the expression of TRPC3 was decreased in the ileum of stressed mouse. These results suggest that the gastrointestinal motility disorders due to stress is associated with specific non-selective cation channel.     

Captopril exerts myocardial protective effect in coronary microembolization rats by inhibiting oxidative stress injury and alleviating inflammatory response

AIM: To investigate the effects of captopril (CAP) on oxidative stress injury and inflammatory response induced by coronary microembolization (CME) and its related molecular mechanisms. METHODS: The rat model of CME was established by clamping the rat artery and injecting blood microemboli. The rats were divided into control group, CME group and CME+CAP group, with 6 rats in each group. The myocardial tissues of each group were collected. The changes of myocardial structure and the degree of inflammatory response were analyzed by HE staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining. The fluorescence intensity of cleaved caspase-3 was detected by immunofluorescence obervation. The protein levels of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax were determined by Western blot. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase was measured by ELISA. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by DHE fluorescence staining. RESULTS: CAP significantly reduced the myocardial structural changes (P<0.05), inflammatory cell infiltration (P<0.01), number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes (P<0.01), the protein levels of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax (P<0.01), and ROS production levels (P<0.01), but promoted the activity of antioxidant markers SOD and catalase (P<0.01) in the CME rats.CONCLUSION: CAP attenuates CME-induced myocardial injury by resisting oxidative stress and alleviating inflammatory response.     

Role of chlorogenic acid in endothelial dysfunction in db/db mice

AIM: To explore the effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on endothelial dysfunction in db/db mice and the possible mechanism. METHODS: Male db/db mice (n=12) were divided into control group and CGA group, with 6 mice in each group. The mice in CGA group were treated with diet containing 0.02% CGA, while the mice in control group were given normal diet only. The observation period was 12 weeks. Fasting blood glucose level, tail blood pressure and the body weight were analyzed each week. At the end of the 12th week, the mice were anesthetized and blood was taken from carotid artery. The plasma levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), catalase (CAT), NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1 (NQO1) and glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1) were measured by ELISA. The mouse aortas were isolated, and the superoxide anion and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured by DHE and DAF-2 DA staining, respectively. Wire Myograph System was used to detect the vasorelaxation of db/db mouse aorta. The protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), phosphorylated endothelial NO synthase (p-eNOS), P22^phox and P47^phox were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Dietary CGA decreased fasting blood glucose and body weight in db/db mice as compared with control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The plasma levels of HO-1, CAT, NQO1 and GPx-1 in CGA group were higher than those in control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Administration of CGA for 12 weeks attenuated superoxide anion level, increased NO level in the mouse endothelium and improved endothelium-dependent relaxation of the db/db mouse aorta. CGA also increased the protein levels of PPARα, Nrf2, p-AMPK and p-eNOS, and decreased P22^phox and P47^phox levels (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Dietary CGA improves db/db mouse endothelium-dependent relaxation. This effect may be related to the increases in the levels of antioxidant molecules PPARα, Nrf2 and p-AMPK, and the up-regulation of antioxidant capacity, thus decreasing the oxidative stress, promoting eNOS phosphorylation, and increasing NO level.