CUDC-907 induces DNA damage and autophagy in glioma cells

AIM:To investigate the effect of CUDC-907, a dual histone deacetylase (HDAC) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, on the DNA damage, cell cycle distribution and autophagy in human glioma U251 cells. METHODS:U251 cells were treated with CUDC-907 of different concentrations, and the cell viability was detected by MTT assay. The quantitative γ-H2AX foci were determined by laser scanning confocal microscopy. The cell cycle distribution of U251 cells was examined by flow cytometry. The protein expression was determined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS:CUDC-907 inhibited the cell viability and the phosphorylation of Akt and p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70s6K) in the U251 cells (P<0.05). In CUDC-907-treated cells, the number of γ-H2AX foci and protein expression of γ-H2AX were increased significantly (P<0.05). CUDC-907 also induced cell arrest in the G₂/M phase by up-regulating the expression of p21, and inhibiting the protein level of cyclin B1 and the phosphorylation of cell division cycle protein 2 (Cdc2). In addition, CUDC-907 triggered cell autophagy, and inhibition of autophagy increased CUDC-907-induced DNA damage of U251 cells. CONCLUSION:CUDC-907 significantly inhibits PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, induces DNA damage and arrests cell cycle in G₂/M phase. Blockage of autophagy promotes CUDC-907-induced DNA damage of U251 cells.     

Research on the Antioxident Function of Sulforaphane on the Leydig Cells of Cadmium Exposured Mice

The study was aimed to explore the antioxident function of sulforaphane (SFN) on the leydig cells of cadmium (Cd) exposured mice.Cd and SFN were added to the cell culture medium of TM3 cell, half inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of Cd and SFN safe dose range were determined.The tested model was set up,and the relative survival rate of TM3 cells, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and cell antioxidant levels were determined to study the antioxident function of SFN to cadmium exposured mice.The results showed that:①With the increase of Cd concentration,the relative survival rate of TM3 cells was decreased,and the IC₅₀ of Cd was 51.4 μmol/L;Within a certain concentration range,SFN could increased the cells survive rate,but there was toxicity when the SFN concentration was more than the scope,and the greater the concentration,the greater the toxicity. At experimental condition,SFN safety concentration were 2.5,5 and 10 μmol/L.②Compared with the control group,the GSH content,the T-SOD and GSH-Px activities in Cd group were significantly or extremely significantly decreased (P < 0.05;P < 0.01),and the LDH activity,the MDA content were increased.Additionally,the LDH activity and MDA content of SFN groups were decreased,while others three indexes were increased. Compared with Cd group,the GSH content,the T-SOD and GSH-Px activities of Cd+SFN groups were significantly or extremely significantly increased (P < 0.05;P < 0.01),however,the LDH activity,MDA content were decreased. The result indicated that SFN had the antagonism effect on toxicity of Cd in TM3 cell.     

Na+ Retention in the Root is a Key Adaptive Mechanism to Low and High Salinity in the Glycophyte,Talinum paniculatum (Jacq.) Gaertn. (Portulacaceae)

Talinum paniculatum is an important leafy vegetable and medicinal plant, used in many parts of South America, Africa and Asia. Its adaptation to abiotic stress has received little attention and therefore worthy of interest, especially as environmental conditions are rendering arable lands increasingly unfavourable for agriculture. Therefore, this study was undertaken to examine the influence of salt stress on the vegetative growth of the plant by subjecting seedlings to 0, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 300 mm NaCl stress for 10 days. The dry weight, ion concentrations, relative water content, oxidative damage, proline, osmotic potential and some antioxidants were determined. The plants were found to retain Na⁺ mainly in the root, with less affected leaf K⁺ concentration, and consequently very low shoot Na⁺/K⁺ ratios (<0.2) under all the stress treatments. The proline content significantly increased under the 100–300 mm treatments (18‐ to 244‐fold), with a corresponding significant reduction in osmotic potential and hence high osmotic adjustment. The antioxidant enzyme activities and non‐enzyme antioxidants showed significant increase only under the highest salinity. Taken together, these results suggest that shoot Na⁺ exclusion is characteristic of this plant and is mainly responsible for its adaptation to low salinity.     

Influence of the root endophyte Piriformospora indica on the plant water relations,gas exchange and growth of Chenopodium quinoa at limited water availability

This study aimed to evaluate the ability of Piriformospora indica to colonize the root of Chenopodium quinoa and to verify whether this endosymbiont can improve the growth, performance and drought resistance of this species. The study delivered, for the first time, evidence for successful colonization of P. indica in quinoa. Hence, pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse, where inoculated and non‐inoculated plants were subjected to ample (40%–50% WHC) and deficit (15%–20%WHC) irrigation treatments. Drought adversely influenced the plant growth, leading to decline the total plant biomass by 74%. This was linked to an impaired photosynthetic activity (caused by lower g_s and C_i/C_a ratio; stomatal limitation of photosynthesis) and a higher risk of ROS production (enhanced ETR/A_gross ratio). P. indica colonization improved quinoa plant growth, with total biomass increased by 8% (controls) and 76% (drought‐stressed plants), confirming the growth‐promoting activity of P. indica. Fungal colonization seems to diminish drought‐induced growth hindrance, likely, through an improved water balance, reflected by the higher leaf ψ_w and g_s. Additionally, stomatal limitation of photosynthesis was alleviated (indicated by enhanced C_i/C_a ratio and A_net), so that the threat of oxidative stress was minimized (decreased ETR/A_gross). These results infer that symbiosis with P. indica could negate some of the detrimental effects of drought on quinoa growth, a highly desired feature, in particular at low water availability.     

Physiological processes associated with salinity tolerance in an alfalfa half‐sib family

We previously reported an alfalfa half‐sib family, HS‐B, with improved salt tolerance, compared to parental plants, P‐B. In this study, we conducted additional experiments to address potential physiological mechanisms that may contribute to salt tolerance in HS‐B. Vegetatively propagated HS‐B and P‐B plants were treated with a nutrient solution (control) or a nutrient solution containing NaCl (EC = 12 dS/m). Shoots and roots were harvested at various time points after treatment for quantification of proline, soluble sugar, and H₂O₂ using spectrophotometers. Subcellular localization and quantification of Na in roots were conducted using a Na⁺‐specific dye under a confocal microscope. HS‐B produced 86 and 89% greater shoot and root dry biomass, respectively, compared to parental plants, P‐B, under salinity in the greenhouse. Under saline conditions the HS‐B shoots accumulated 115% and roots 55% more soluble sugars than P‐B counterparts. The non‐saline HS‐B shoots, however, showed 72% less soluble sugars than the non‐saline P‐B plants. Under saline conditions HS‐B accumulated 39% less proline in shoots, while roots accumulated 56% more proline, compared to their P‐B parents. HS‐B plants also showed a greater reduction of stomatal conductance under mild saline stress. HS‐B shoots and roots contained 3–4 times less reactive oxygen species (H₂O₂) after salt treatment compared to P‐B plants. Sodium localization and distribution analysis using Na⁺‐specific dye revealed HS‐B plants accumulated 88% and 48% less Na⁺ in stele and xylem vessels compared to P‐B. The study provides insights into the potential mechanisms that may contribute to salt tolerance in HS‐B: maintaining RWC by accumulating soluble sugars while reducing transpiration, maintaining healthy status by reducing oxidative stresses, and preventing salt toxicity by reducing accumulation of Na⁺ inside root cells and xylem.     

Protective effects of taurine on LPS-induced myocardial damage in rats

AIM: To investigate the effects of taurine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced myocardial damage in rats. METHODS: Healthy male SD rats (n=30) were randomly divided into control group (CON), LPS model group (LPS) and taurine treatment group (TAU). The rats in CON group and LPS group were intravenously injected with normal saline, and the rats in TAU group were injected with taurine (100 mg/kg). After 2 h, the rats in LPS group and TAU group were intraperitoneally injected with LPS at 10 mg/kg, and the rats in CON group were injected with normal saline. Six hours after injection of LPS, the blood samples were collected for determination of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. The myocardial tissues were processed for histological examination and the analysis of Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with CON group, LPS significantly reduced SOD activity in the serum and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) protein expression in the myocardial tissues, increased the serum content of MDA and levels of TNF-α and IL-6. LPS also significantly elevated the levels of TNF-α and IL-6, and up-regulated the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in the myocardial tissues. Taurine pretreatment significantly elevated SOD activity and HO-1 protein expression level, decreased the levels of COX-2, TNF-α, IL-6 and phosphorylated NF-κB. Histological observation showed that taurine reduced inflammatory response in the myocardial tissue. CONCLUSION: Taurine attenuates LPS-induced myocardial damage in rats. The beneficial effects of taurine may be associated with its reduction of p-NF-κB/COX-2 signaling by activation of HO-1/CO.     

海南芒果寒害保险合同费率厘定与修正研究

利用海南岛1990—2010年的芒果产量数据和1961—2010年的气象数据,计算了芒果的寒害减产历史序列,应用极值理论构建了产量风险分布模型,依此对各市(县)纯保险费率进行了厘定。并根据寒害的气象风险与产量风险区划成果,通过聚类分析得到区域风险系数,对纯保险费率进行修正,确定了不同免赔额下海南各市(县)芒果寒害保险的纯保险费率。结果表明:不同免赔额下白沙、琼中、五指山和澄迈的纯保险费率最高,说明其寒害风险最高,儋州、临高、屯昌的纯保险费率次之,风险也较高,这与气象指标统计的寒害风险基本一致,说明中部和西北部的芒果种植受寒害影响较大,适合采用高免赔额的费率标准。本研究中纯保险费率是根据气象资料计算而得的,避免了因采用产量资料出现资料短而不稳定的问题,可以有效的防止逆向选择和道德风险,有利于其他热带水果气象指数保险产品设计的借鉴,并使更多的农户参与到保险中来。     

Research Progress of Effect of Oxidative Stress on Broiler and its Mitigation Technology

Oxidative stress is ubiquitous in livestock and poultry production.When the body is in the situation of harmful stimulation in vitro or in vivo,the oxidation system and antioxidant system are in a state of imbalance,leading to metabolic disorders,which depresses the growth and development of animals,decreases disease resistance and quality of livestock products seriously,and has a negative impact on the production and health of livestock and poultry.So it is important to find an effective measure to alleviate the health of livestock and poultry.Lipoic acid,tea polyphenol,VE and other antioxidants play significant roles in reducing oxidative stress.In this paper,the effects of oxidative stress on broiler and mitigation technology research were outlined.     

Study on Liver-protective Effect of Chinese Herbal Compound Probiotics on Acute Liver Injury Layers

This experiment was conducted to investigate the liver-protective effect of Chinese herbal compound probiotics (CHCP) on acute liver injury layers.One hundred and eight 1 day old hens were divided into 4 groups with 3 replicates in each group and 9 layers per replicate in trial 1.The layers in model groups Ⅰ to Ⅲ were gavaged with 10% (V/V) soybean oil solution of carbon tetrachloride (SCCl₄) according to 1,2 and 4 mL/(kg·BW) at 14,28 and 35 d,respectively.The layers in control group were gavaged with 2 mL/(kg·BW) soybean oil.In trial 2,sixty 1 d layers were divided into 5 groups:Control group (soybean oil),model control group(SCCl₄)and low-dose,middle-dose and high-dose CHCP group (SCCl₄+1‰ CHCP,SCCl₄+2‰ CHCP and SCCl₄+4‰ CHCP respectively).CHCP were used by drinking water since 7 days.SCCl₄ were gavaged according to 2 mL/(kg·BW) at 14 and 28 d.The results showed as follows:The model of layers liver damage could be built by intragastric administration of 2 mL/(kg·BW) 10%(V/V) SCCl₄ at 14,28 d respectively,with the signs of hepatic steatosis,severe vacuolar degeneration,nuclear condensation and necrosis.Compared to the model control group,the serum AST levels in low,medium and high dose CHCP groups were decreased by 4.35% (P > 0.05),7.57% (P > 0.05) and 9.79% (P < 0.05),the serum ALT levels in medium and high dose CHCP groups were decreased by 34.92% (P < 0.01),36.51% (P < 0.01),the serum total bilirubin content in medium and high dose CHCP groups were decreased by 25.49% (P < 0.01),27.45% (P < 0.01).The liver cell congestion was reduced to varying degrees in different dose CHCP groups,and the liver cell had no vacuoles,arranged in neat rows,abundant cytoplasm and uniform in different dose CHCP groups.In conclusion,2‰,4‰ CHCP could reduce hepatocyte necrosis,decrease the serum activities of ALT,AST and total bilirubin levels,and had protective effect on hepatic injury induced by SCCl₄.     

Dietary clinoptilolite influences antioxidant capability and oxidative status of broilers

Natural clinoptilolite has been shown to have positive effects as an antioxidant, which means it traps free radicals in its complex structure, inactivating and eliminating them. Synthetic or modified clinoptilolite delays lipid peroxidation with water-soluble peroxyl radicals, and reduces the catalytic production of radicals to protect the organism. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of natural clinoptilolite and modified clinoptilolite on the antioxidant status of broilers. The antioxidant capability of natural clinoptilolite or modified clinoptilolite is exerted, at least in part, by increasing glutathione content in liver and intestinal mucosa, the superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activity in serum, liver, and intestinal mucosa. In addition, to enhance broiler performance, there is a reduction of the concentration of malondialdehyde in serum, liver, and intestinal mucosa.