Effect of hydrogen sulfide on myocardial fibrosis and PPARγ and NF-κB expression in rat model of diabetes

AIM: To explore the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) on the myocardial fibrosis in a rat model of diabetes and its mechanism.METHODS: Single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) was utilized to establish a rat model of diabetes. Sodium hydrosulfide was used as an exogenous donor of hydrogen sulfide. Male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, STZ group, STZ+H₂S group and H₂S group. Eight weeks later, HE and VG staining methods were used to observe the collagen distribution and collagen volume fraction was measured by image analysis. The expression levels of type I collagen, PPARγ and NF-κB in the cardiac tissues were determined by Western blotting.RESULTS: Compared with control group, collagen distribution and the expression levels of type I collagen and NF-κB in the cardiac tissues were markedly increased (P<0.05), while PPARγ was significantly decreased in STZ group (P<0.05), but these indexes were reversed significantly in STZ+H₂S group (P<0.05). The expression levels of type I collagen, PPARγ and NF-κB had no significant difference between H₂S group and control group.CONCLUSION: Hydrogen sulfide attenuates cardiac fibrosis in diabetic rats, and its mechanism may be related to PPARγ-NF-κB signaling pathway.     

Protective effect of curcumin analogue L6H4 on diaphragm of type 2 diabetic rats

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of curcumin analogue L6H4 on diaphragm of type 2 diabetic rats.METHODS: SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=40) were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal control (NC) group, high fat (HF) group, high fat+L6H4 treatment (FT) group, diabetes mellitus (DM) group and DM+L6H4 treatment (DT) group. The rats in the later 4 groups were fed with high-fat diet. After 4 weeks of high-fat diet fee-ding, the rats in DM and DT groups were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin to induce type 2 diabetes melliutus. The rats in FT and DT groups were given L6H4 by gavage for 8 weeks. Blood glucose and blood lipid levels were detected biochemically. Fasting serum insulin (FINS) level was measured by radioimmunoassay and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Serum adiponectin (APN) level was measured by ELISA. The morphological changes of the diaphragm were observed under light and transmission electron microscopes. Lipid deposition and the activity of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and NADH-tetrazolium reductase (NADH-TR) were observed by enzyme histochemical staining. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the diaphragm were measured by thiobarbituric acid method and hydroxylamine method, respectively. The protein expression of adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) in the diaphragm was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: The levels of blood lipids, blood glucose, FINS and HOMA-IR in HF and DM groups were higher than those in NC group, but decreased after L6H4 treatment. The serum APN level in HF and DM groups was lower than that in NC group, but increased after treatment with L6H4. The muscle fibers of the diaphragm were shrunk, fat particles accumulated in the muscle fibers, and the mitochondria were slightly swollen in HF and DM groups. The diaphragmatic fibrosis was obvious in DM group. These lesions were relieved after L6H4 treatment. Compared with NC group, the level of MDA and the activity of SDH and NADH-TR in the diaphragm were increased in HF and DM groups, but decreased after treatment with L6H4. The activity of SOD and the expression of AdipoR1 in the diaphragm were lower than those in NC group, but increased after L6H4 treatment.CONCLUSION: The curcumin analogue L6H4 exerts a protective effect on diaphragm in type 2 diabetic rats. The strengthened protein expression of AdipoR1, the increased serum level of APN, and anti-lipid peroxidation may be involved in the process.     

Screening of lentiviral vectors carrying effective siRNA targeting S1P2 gene

AIM:To screen the lentiviral vector carrying siRNA with higher efficiency of suppressing the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2(S1P2) gene expression in the primarily cultured corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).METHODS:SHR and SD rats (n=5 each) were used for primarily culturing corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells.The cells were randomly divided into 6 groups:SHR siRNA-1,SHR siRNA-2,SHR siRNA-3,SHR GFP,SHR control (SHR non-transfection group),and SD control (SD rat control group).Each group had 5 samples with 1.0×10⁵ cells of each sample.At 72 h after transfection (MOI=60) with lentiviral vectors carrying S1P2 siRNA into the SHR corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells,the expression of GFP was observed under fluorescence microscope.The protein expression of S1P2,ROCK1,ROCK2 and eNOS in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells,and the mRNA expression of S1P2,ROCK1 and ROCK2 were determined by by Western blot and RT-PCR.RESULTS:The transfection efficiency of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells in SHR siRNA-1,SHR siRNA-2,SHR siRNA-3 and SHR GFP groups were>80%.Compared with SHR control group,the mRNA levels and the protein expression of S1P2,ROCK1 and ROCK2 in SHR GFP group showed no remarkable changes,while those in SHR siRNA-1,SHR siRNA-2,SHR siRNA-3 and SD control groups were significantly lower than those in SHR control group (P<0.05).The protein expression of eNOS in SHR siRNA-1,SHR siRNA-2,SHR siRNA-3 and SHR GFP groups were not significantly changed as compared with SHR control group,but that in SD control group was significantly higher than that in SHR control group.CONCLUSION:Three groups of siRNA lentiviral vectors targeting S1P2 inhibit the expression of S1P2 in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells of SHR,and by silencing the S1P2 expression,the expression of ROCK1 and ROCK2 is inhibited.Among them,siRNA-1 has the highest inhibitory efficiency.     

细菌鞭毛蛋白作为佐剂的研究进展

细菌鞭毛蛋白作为Toll样受体5(TLR5)或NOD样受体C4(NLRC4)的配体,其结构决定了其既有抗原性又具有佐剂效应。将细菌鞭毛蛋白与外源抗原混合或融合表达,已获得多种有效的候选疫苗。细菌鞭毛蛋白佐剂效应主要是通过TLR5和NLRC4信号途径协同实现的。TLR5位于细胞表面,可触发炎性因子、趋化因子和Ⅰ型干扰素的分泌,启动天然免疫应答。NLRC4是细胞质中的模式识别受体,可识别细胞质中的多种配体并诱导相应免疫应答。另外,细菌鞭毛蛋白能募集T淋巴细胞和B淋巴细胞至次级淋巴器官,促进DCs和T淋巴细胞的活化。细菌鞭毛蛋白的可塑性将会使得以细菌鞭毛蛋白为基础的疫苗成为当前和未来研究的热点。     

Effects of phytosterol ester on aortic aging and expression of related genes in rats

AIM: To explore the protective effect of phytosterol ester (PSE) on aortic aging in rats. METHODS: The female SD rats (12 months old, n=42) were randomly divided into control group, model group and PSE group. During the experiment, the rats in control group, model group and PSE group were treated with basic feed, high-fat diet (HFD) and HFD with 2% PSE (W/W) for 6 months, respectively. The morphological changes of the aorta were observed by HE staining and Masson staining, and the absolute area of smooth muscle cells and collagen fiber in the vascular wall were measured by image analysis. The levels of advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the plasma were detected. The expression of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) at mRNA and protein levels in the vascular tissue was determined by real time PCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: PSE significantly lowered plasma TC and LDL-C, and increased plasma HDL-C level (P<0.05), but had no effect on plasma TG level. PSE significantly attenuated the thickening of intima and media of aging aortic, and decreased the migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and the amount of VSMC and collagen fiber in the aorta (P<0.05). PSE significantly reduced the contents of AGEs and MDA (P<0.05), but had no effect on the activity of SOD and CAT in the plasma. PSE also down-regulated the expression of PPARγ and up-regulated the expression of SIRT1 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: PSE is able to attenuate the senescence process in the aorta by reducing the production of reactive oxygen species in plasma, and activating SIRT1, or inhibiting the expression of PPARγ in vascular tissues.     

Albumin overload aggravates kidney injury and renoprotective effect of simvastatin in adriamycin nephropathy mice

AIM: To investigate the aggravating effect of albumin overload on the kidney injury induced by lipid nephrotoxicity, and to observe the renoprotective effect of simvastatin (SIMV) on adriamycin nephropathy (ADR) mice.METHODS: SPF healthy male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, ADR group, ADR with bovine serum albumin (BSA) overload (ADR+BSA) group, and ADR with both BSA overload and SIMV treatment (ADR+BSA+SIMV) group. All mice were uninephrectomized under general anesthesia 2 weeks before setting up ADR model. ADR+BSA model started to be set up 4 weeks later. At the end of the 0th, 2nd, 6th, 10th and 14th weeks, 24 h urinary protein was evaluated. At the end of the 14th week, the serum biochemical indexes and the kidney pathological changes were observed, and glomerulosclerotic index (GSI) was also evaluated. The cholesterol in the kidney was measured by enzymic colorimetric method and oil red O staining. The expression of IL-1β, TGF-β1 and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) in the kidney tissues was determined by real-time PCR. The expression of IL-1β and IL-17 was measured by immunohistochemistry and the expression of IL-17 in the kidney was measured by ELISA.RESULTS: Compared with control group, the expression of IL-1β, TGF-β1, IL-17 and LDLr, and cholesterol content in the kidney and the GSI were all significantly increased in ADR group (P<0.05). Compared with ADR group, 24 h urinary protein, serum creatinine, the expression of IL-1β, IL-17 and LDLr, and cholesterol content in the kidney were all significantly increased in ADR+BSA group (P<0.05). Treatment with SIMV significantly decreased the expression of IL-1β, TGF-β1, IL-17 and LDLr. The accumulation of cholesterol in the kidney and the GSI were also decreased (all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Inflammation aggravates the lipid deposition and glomerular sclerosis by increasing the expression of LDLr in ADR mice. Albumin overload further accelerates the progressive kidney damage by regulating the expression of IL-1β, TGF-β1 and IL-17, which promotes the increase in LDLr. The beneficial effect of SIMV might be mediated by its anti-inflammatory effect.     

Involvement of TLR4/NLRP3 inflammasome in contrast medium-induced inflammation and injury in renal tubular epithelial cells

AIM: To investigate whether Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome were involved in contrast medium (CM)-induced inflammation and injury in renal tubular epithelial cells. METHODS: Iopromide was used to injure NRK-52E cells in the study. The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. The protein levels of TLR4, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speckle-like protein (ASC), caspase-1 and cleaved caspase-3 were determined by Western blot. The releases of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 were detected by ELISA. The apoptotic rate was evaluated by Hoechst staining, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was analyzed by JC-1 staining. siRNA was transfected into the NRK-52E cells to silence NLRP3 expression. RESULTS: CM decreased the viability of NRK-52E cells (P<0.05). CM also elevated the protein levels of cleaved caspase-3, TLR4, NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 (P<0.05). Silencing NLRP3 attenuated CM-induced releases of inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, treatment with TLR4 inhibitor TAK-242 or knockdown of NLRP3 by siRNA transfection both attenuated cell apoptosis and loss of MMP caused by CM. CONCLUSION: TLR4/NLRP3 inflammasome takes part in the pathogenesis of CM-induced acute kidney injury, and mediates CM-induced injury and inflammation in renal tubular epithelial cells.     

不同日龄滩羊皮肤组织化学特征比较

为比较2、35日龄滩羊皮肤毛囊的发育特点与血管内皮生长因子（vascular endothelial growth factor，VEGF）和血管内皮生长因子受体2（vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2，VEGFR2）的分布特征，探究出生后滩羊被毛生长发育的变化特点，试验应用常规HE染色及改良Masson胶原纤维染色、Gomori银氨法染色、磷钨酸染色等特殊染色观察2与35日龄滩羊皮肤组织结构特点；应用免疫组织化学法结合免疫荧光染色法观察VEGF及VEGFR2在2与35日龄滩羊皮肤组织中的分布定位，并用IPP图像分析软件进行定量分析。结果显示：与2日龄滩羊皮肤组织比较，35日龄滩羊表皮与真皮间界限更加清晰，毛囊结构发育完整；毛囊密度显著降低（P<0.05）；胶原纤维与弹性纤维含量增加，形成网格状分布。免疫组化及免疫荧光结果显示，VEGF及VEGFR2在滩羊皮肤表皮及毛囊外根鞘、皮脂腺上均有表达。统计表明，VEGF及VEGFR2在2日龄滩羊皮肤组织中的表达量均显著高于35日龄（P<0.05）。综合上述结果，滩羊毛囊发育过程中，胶原纤维和弹性纤维增加明显；VEGF与VEGFR2通路在毛囊角质形成中起直接调节作用。     

A role for Toll-like receptor 4 in the host response to the lung infection of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in mice

Although a Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (Yptb) lung infection model has been developed to study Y. pestis pathogenesis, it is still necessary to establish a new animal model to mimic the pathophysiological features induced by Y. pestis infection. Here, we provide a new lung infection model using the Yptb strain, IP2777, which displayed rapid spread of bacteria to the liver, spleen, and blood. In addition, we examined whether TLR4 is involved in Yptb-induced pathogenesis in the lung infection model of mice we generated. Following lung infection of WT and TLR4-deficient mice with the Yptb strain IP2777, the survival rate, bacterial colonization, histopathology, and level of cytokines and chemokines in the lung, spleen, liver, and blood were analyzed. TLR4-deficient mice had a lower survival rate than WT mice in response to Yptb lung infection. Although the bacterial colonization and pathology of the lung were comparable between WT and TLR4-deficient mice, those of the spleen and liver were more severe in TLR4-deficient mice. In addition, the levels of TNF-α and CXCL2 in the liver and IL-6 and CXCL2 in the blood were higher in TLR4-deficient mice than in WT mice. Our results demonstrate that TLR4 is necessary for optimal host protection against Yptb lung infection and TLR4-deficient mice may serve as a better genetic model of Yptb infection for mimicking Y. pestis infection.     

动物鲜味受体的研究进展及其基因表达调控

动物的鲜味受体包括代谢型谷氨酸受体(m GluR)和味觉受体异源二聚体(T1R1/T1R3),是C型G蛋白偶联受体,N末端捕蝇草模块(VFT)区域可与鲜味配体结合,识别鲜味。本文主要论述了鲜味受体的研究进展、鲜味识别转导机制及鲜味受体基因的表达调控等,以期为相关研究提供参考。