Effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide on cerebral cortex injury during endotoxic shock

AIM: To study the effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) on cerebral cortex injury during endotoxic shock (ES) and its mechanisms. METHODS: Rabbits were injected intravenously with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 8 mg/kg) to establish ES model. Rabbits (n=32, 8 in each group) were randomly assigned to receive one of four treatments intravenously: normal saline (as control), LPS, CCK-8 pretreatment 30 min before LPS, proglumide (Pro, nonspecific antagonist of CCK receptors) pretreatment 30 min before LPS. The changes of mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured. The morphologic changes in cerebral cortex were observed through light microscope (LM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The alterations of activities of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), contents of nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in cerebral cortex were assayed. The expressions of protein of inducible NOS (iNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS) were detected by immunohistochemistry staining in cerebral cortex in 4 groups of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n=12, 3 in each group) which were grouped as that of the rabbits. RESULTS: LPS administration resulted in lower MAP than that in control group (P<0.01). Hydropic degeneration of neurons and severe injuries to capillaries were observed in cerebral cortex of ES rabbits. LPS administration induced the expression of iNOS protein in the cytoplasm of neurocytes, and lead to stronger positive signals of nNOS than that in control group. NOS activity, NO2ˉ/NO3ˉ level and MDA content were higher (P<0.05, P<0.01 and P<0.01), while SOD activity was lower in cerebral cortex of ES rabbits than those in control group (P<0.01). CCK-8 pre-administration alleviated the changes induced by LPS, while Pro pre-administration aggravated those alterations. CONCLUSION: CCK-8 protects brain tissues against the injury induced by LPS, which may be associated with its effects of suppressing the overproduction of NO and free radicals.     

Inhibitory effect of cholecystokinin-octapeptide on production of hydrogen sulfide in lung of LPS-induced lung injury rats

AIM: To investigate the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) attenuating lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury. METHODS: A rat model of lung injury induced by intravenous injection of LPS was developed. Male Wistar rats were divided into normal control group, LPS group, LPS+CCK-8 group and CCK-8 group. Six hours after LPS injection, partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood (PaO2), H2S content and cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) activity in lung tissue were detected. The mRNA expression of CSE in lung tissue was determined by RT-PCR; the structure of lung tissues was observed under optical microscope. RESULTS: Compared to normal control rats, the LPS-treated rats had significantly decreased PaO2 level, increased index of quantitative assessment (IQA) score, while H2S content, CSE activity and the mRNA expression of CSE in lung tissue were significantly increased (all P<0.05). Administration of CCK-8 into LPS-treated rats increased the PaO2 level and alleviated the degree of lung injury (measured by IQA score). In addition, CCK-8 decreased H2S content, CSE activity, and the mRNA expression of CSE (all P<0.05). No significant difference of the above-mentioned parameters between CCK-8 group and normal control group was observed. CONCLUSION: CCK-8 reduces LPS-induced lung injury through inhibiting the generation of endogenous H2S.     

Role of heme oxygenase in cholecystokinin octopeptide ameliorating acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide

AIM: To study the role of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in the mechanism of cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8) for attenuation of acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).METHODS: Adult male rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group,LPS group,CCK-8+LPS group,LPS+ Hm (hemin,HO-1 donor) group and LPS+ZnPP (zinc protoporphyrin,specific inhibitor of HO-1) group.PMN number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF),the structure of the lung,MDA content,HO-1 activity,the expressions of HO-1 mRNA and protein in the lung were detected respectively.RESULTS: The lung injury in LPS group was observed,at the same time the numbers of PMN,the content of MDA,the activity and the expression of HO-1 were all higher than those in control group (all P<0.05).The degree of lung injury,PMN numbers and MDA content were lower,while the activity and the expression of HO-1 in CCK-8+LPS and LPS+Hm group were higher than those in LPS group (all P<0.05).However,the degree of lung injury,PMN numbers and MDA content were higher,the activity and the expression of HO-1 were lower in LPS+ZnPP than those in LPS group respectively (all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: CCK-8 attenuates the LPS-induced ALI by means of anti-oxidation and inhibits PMN aggregation,which are both mediated by HO-1 partly.     

Effect of microRNA-132 transfection on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in rat alveolar macrophages

AIM: To investigate the effect of microRNA-132 (miR-132) transfection on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in rat alveolar macrophages. METHODS: The rat alveolar macrophage NR8383 cultured without pyrogen in vitrowere divided into blank control group, negative control group and transfected group. The cells in the 3 groups were transfected with phosphate buffer solution (PBS), Lipofectamine 2000 and synthesized miR-132 mimic respectively. The cell proliferation was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-132 in the cells. After NR8383 cells were stimulated with LPS for 6 h, the NF-κB DNA-binding activity was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in NR8383 cells was assayed by Western blotting.RESULTS: After transfection, the expression of miR-132 was significantly higher than that in blank control group and negative control group. The growth of NR8383 cells in transfected group was significantly inhibited compared with blank control group and negative control group (P<0.05). After the cells were stimulated with LPS, the productions of NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-6 in transfected NR8383 cells were decreased compared with blank control group and negative control group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Transfection of alveolar macrophages with miR-132 significantly suppresses the cell growth, and inhibits inflammatory responses induced by LPS.     

Protective role of endogenous hydrogen sulfide in cholecystokinin octapeptid against acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide

AIM: To explore the role of endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in the mechanism of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) to alleviate acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: Eighty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups: control, LPS (instilled intratracheally to reproduce the model of ALI), NaHS (H₂S donor) +LPS, propargylglycine ［inhibitor of cysathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), PPG］+LPS, CCK-8+LPS, PPG+CCK-8+LPS and CCK-8 group. Animals were sacrificed at 4 h and 8 h after agent instillation. The wet and dry ratio (W/D) of the lung weight was measured and calculated. Morphological changes of lung tissues were observed. H₂S concentration in plasma, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and CSE activities in the lung were determined. Furthermore, the level of P-selectin of lung tissue was measured by radioimmunoassay, the CSE mRNA expression in the lung was detected by RT-PCR, and the protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was detected. RESULTS: Compared with control, severe injury of lung tissues and increase in W/D, protein content in BALF, MDA content, MPO activity and P-selectin level in the lung were observed in rats treated with LPS. LPS also lead to a drop in plasma H₂S concentration, lung CSE activity and CSE mRNA expression. Administration of NaHS before LPS could attenuate the changes induced by LPS, while H₂S concentration, CSE activity and CSE mRNA expression were higher than those in LPS group. However, pre-treatment with PPG exacerbated the lung injury induced by LPS, H₂S concentration, CSE activity and CSE mRNA expression were lower than those in LPS and CCK-8 +LPS group, respectively. CONCLUSION: CCK-8 attenuates LPS-induced acute lung injury by means of anti-oxidation and inhibition of PMN adhesion and aggregation, both of which are mediated by endogenous H₂S.     

Effect of atrial natriuretic peptide on acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide

AIM: To investigate effect of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rat. METHODS: Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was recorded with model 6280 physiology intelligentialize grapher, nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET) concentrations in plasma were measured after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or following LPS ,ANP was injected into vein in rats. After experiment,lung water as well as pulmonary histopathological changes was measured and observed, respectively. RESULTS: Administration of LPS elicited a persistence decrease in MAP (8.1 kPa±2.6 kPa,at 4 h,P<0.01 vs control); NO and ET concentration in plasma was evident higher than that in control group, respectively (P<0.01); Wet-dry ratio of lung was higher than that in control group (5.15±0.43,at 4 h) (P<0.05); Alveolus detelectasis was observed and pulmonary mesenchyme was thicker than that in control group. No erythrocyte and leukocytes in alveolus,which show an interstitial pulmonary edema, was observed in LPS+ANP group, ANP maintained MAP at higher levels (13.35 kPa±2.93 kPa, at 4 h, P<0.05 vs LPS) after an transient decline when LPS was injected; NO and ET concentration of plasma had all significantly decrease, respectively (P<0.05 vs LPS, at 4 h); Wet-dry ratio of lung was lower than LPS group (4.57±0.35, P<0.05). Compared with control group the ratio was not evident difference (P>0.05); The histopathological of lung displayed markedly improved. CONCLUSION: ANP attenuates ALI induced by LPS in the rat. The effect of ANP may be via decreasing secretion of ET,NO and regulation arterial blood pressure.     

Reversion of the decline of cardiac function in endotoxin shock rats by cholecystokinin octapeptide

AIM: To verify the effect of cholecystokinin octapeptide(CCK-8) on cardiac function in endotoxin shock (ES) rats. METHODS: The rats were divided into four groups:control,lipopolysaccharide(LPS),CCK-8 and CCK-8+LPS. The left ventricle pressure(LVP),the maximal/minimum rate of LVP,heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD),the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) in both serum and myocardium were also measured,respectively. RESULTS: CCK-8 (40 μg·kg^-1, iv) elicited bradycardia in short time and gently increase MAP,LVP and ±LVdp/dt_max. Lipopolysaccharide(LPS, 8 mg·kg^-1, iv) caused a variation in heart rate (HR)(a bradycardia following a tachycardia) and rapid decreases in MAP,LVP and ±LVdp/dt_max. The rapid variation of HR and the decline of MAP,LVP and ±LVdp/dt_max were reversed by pretreatment with CCK-8 in ES rats, but didn't restore to normal. The activity of SOD was increased and the contents of MDA and NO were decreased by pretreatment with CCK-8 in ES rats. CONCLUSION: The decline of cardiac function in ES rats could be reversed by pre-administration of CCK-8 and the decrease in NO production may be one of the mechanisms.     

Inhibitory effects of CCK-8 on NF-κB activities stimulated by LPS in rat PIMs

AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) on nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activities stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by using forskolin, the activator of adenylate cyclase, and PKA inhibitor H-89 in rat pulmonary interstitial macrophages (PIMs).METHODS: PIMs were isolated and purified.EMDA was applied to detect NF-κB activities and Western blotting was used to analyze the IκB-α protein level in rat PIMs.RESULTS: The NF-κB activity was not detected in normal control rat PIMs.The NF-κB activity in LPS-treated rat PIMs was obviously higher than that in control group (P<0.01).The IκB-α protein level in endochylema decreased obviously compared to control group (P<0.01).No obvious change of NF-κB activity and IκB-α protein level in CCK or Fsk treated rat PIMs was observed (P>0.05).The NF-κB activity in CCK＋LPS group and LPS＋Fsk group were obviously lower than that in LPS group (P<0.05).The IκB-α protein level was obviously higher (P<0.01).In LPS＋CCK＋H-89 group, the NF-κB activity in rat PIMs was obviously higher than that in CCK＋LPS group (P<0.01), while the IκB-α protein level decreased (P<0.01).CONCLUSIONS: The activation of cAMP-PKA signaling pathway inhibits the increase in NF-κB activity and the decrease in IκB-α protein level stimulated by LPS in rat PIMs.The anti-inflammatory effects of CCK-8 were taken effect by activating cAMP-PKA signaling pathway and further inhibiting the NF-κB activity.     

Effect of propolis on the expression of CD54 and activation of NF-κB p65 of lung tissue in acute lung injury rats

AIM: To study the effect of propolis on the expression of CD54 and activation of NF-κB p65 in lung tissue of acute lung injury (ALI) rats. METHODS: 40 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: normal control, model control, dectancyl group, water soluble derivative of propolis (WSP) group and ethanol extracted propolis (EEP) group. ALI animal model was performed by oleic acid and LPS twice attack. The pathologic slice was observed with light microscope and the NF-κB p65 activity and CD54 expression were tested by immunohistochemistry (SABC and SP). RESULTS: Both EEP and WSP antagonized the lung edema, decreased the inflammation and inhibited the expression of CD54 and activation of NF-κB p65. CONCLUSION: The increase in the expression of CD54 and the activation of NF-κB p65 in the lung tissues of ALI were involved in the formation of ALI. Propolis ameliorated the lung damage, which maybe related to the inhibition of CD54 expression and NF-κB p65 activation.     

Effect of TAK-242 on learning and memory dysfunction in mice with lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis-associated encephalopathy

AIM:To explore the effect of TAK-242 on the learning and memory ability of C57BL/6 mice with sepsis-associated encephalopathy induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), to observe the pathological and morphological changes of the mouse brain, and to explore the mechanism of protein pathway associated with the effect of TAK-242. METHODS:Healthy female C57BL/6 mice (n=80), aged 10~12 months, weighing 20~30 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=20):blank control (CON) group, TAK-242 control (TAK) group, sepsis encephalopathy model (LPS) group and TAK-242 pretreatment (T+L) group. Peripheral inflammation in the mice was detected by testing the arterial blood and lung tissues. The behavioral changes of the mice were observed by the open-field test, elevated plus-maze test (EPMT) and Morris water maze test. Immunohistochemistry was performed to observe the changes of microglia-specific marker, ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba-1), in the hippocampus. Finally, the protein expression levels of NF-κB p65, TLR4, Aβ1-42 and p-tau (S396) were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:Compared with CON group, the mice in other groups didn't showed significant difference in the arterial blood gas analysis and lung tissue HE staining. In the anxiety and fear behavior tests, central active duration and times of crossing central field of the mice in LPS group were significantly decreased compared with CON group (P<0.01). The times of open arm entry and the times of head area entry in the EPMT were significantly less than those in CON group (P<0.05). The escape latency of spatial probe experiments was significantly extended (P<0.05). Microglial activation in the hippocampus was significantly increased (P<0.05) and the protein expression levels of NF-κB p65, TLR4, Aβ1-42 and p-tau (S396) were significantly increased (P<0.01). Conversely, compared with LPS group, the central active duration and times of crossing central field in T+L group were significantly increased (P<0.01). The times of open arm entry and the times of head area entry in the EPMT were significantly increased (P<0.05). The escape latency of spatial probe experiments was significantly shortened (P<0.05). Microglial activation in the hippocampus was significantly decreased and the protein expression levels of NF-κB p65, TLR4, Aβ1-42 and p-tau (S396) were down-regulated (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:TAK-242 obviously improves the ability of learning and memory, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the central microglia activation and down-regulation of protein expression levels of NF-κB p65, TLR4, Aβ1-42 and p-tau (S396).     

CCK-8 up-regulats signal pathway of LPS-induced HO-1 expression in rat lungs

AIM: To study the signal pathway involved in up-regulation of LPS-induced HO-1 expression by CCK-8. METHODS: Forty-two SD rats were divided into 7 groups (six rats each) randomly as follows: control group, LPS group, LPS+SP600125 (JNK-specific inhibitor) group, CCK-8+LPS group, CCK-8+LPS+SP600125 group, CCK-8 group and CCK-8 +SP600125 group. Lungs from the rats in these 7 groups were excised 6 h after the agents were administered. HO-1 mRNA expression was examined by RT-PCR. The protein expression of HO-1 was detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence flow cytometry (FCM). RESULTS: There were significant positive expression of HO-1 mRNA in LPS group compared to control group. CCK-8 enhanced LPS-induced HO-1 mRNA expression and CCK-8 alone induced HO-1 mRNA expression as well. The mRNA expressions of HO-1 in LPS group, CCK-8+LPS group and CCK-8 group were 3.01 (P<0.01), 5.88 (P<0.01) and 3.45 (P<0.01) times as many as that in control group, respectively. SP600125 inhibited the mRNA expression of HO-1 induced by CCK-8 and (or) LPS. The change of HO-1 protein expression was in accordance with that of HO-1 mRNA expression by Western blotting and immunofluorescence FCM. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that JNK/c-Jun signal pathway plays an important role in the up-regulation of LPS-induced HO-1 expression by CCK-8.     

Vinpocetine injection attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats

AIM:To observe the inhibitory effects of vinpocetine injection on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in the rats and to explore the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:Male Wistar rats (n=50) were randomly divided into 5 groups:control group,ALI model group,and low,medium and high doses of vinpocetine treatment groups.The rats in control group were injected with 0.9% NaCl at 5 mL/kg through femoral vein.The rats in ALI model group received LPS at 10 mg/kg through femoral vein.After injected with LPS,the rats in vinpocetine treatment groups received vinpocetine at 0.2 mg/kg,0.7 mg/kg or 1.2 mg/kg via intraperitoneal injection.The pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed under microscope with HE staining.The cell apoptosis in the lung tissues was detected by TUNEL staining.Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was measured by the method of spectrophotometry.The protein expression of NF-κB,ICAM-1,VCAM-1,Bax and Bcl-2 was determined by Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with ALI group,administration of vinpocetine significantly attenuated the structural injury of the lung and the infiltration of inflammatory cells.Moreover,vinpocetine decreased cell apoptosis and MPO activity in the lung tissues of ALI rats.In addition,the protein expression of NF-κB,ICAM-1,VCAM-1 and Bax was inhibited after vinpocetin treatment,whereas Bcl-2 expression was increased.CONCLUSION:Vinpocetine attenuates LPS-lung injury by reducing MPO activity and regulating NF-κB,ICAM-1,VCAM-1,Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression.     

Role of carbon monoxide in CCK-8 ameliorating acute lung injury induced by LPS

AIM: To study the role of carbon monoxide (CO) in the mechanism of cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8) for attenuation of acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: Fifty-six adult male rats were randomly divided into seven groups: control group, LPS group, LPS+ZnPP (a specific inhibitor of HO-1) group, LPS+Hemin (Hm， CO donor) group, CCK-8+LPS group, CCK-8+LPS+ZnPP group and CCK-8 group (n=8 for each). Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed 2 h, 6 h and 12 h respectively after treatments. The numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was detected. The mortality of rats and the structure of lung tissues were observed. MDA and CO contents in lung tissues were also measured. RESULTS: The mortalities of rats were both zero 2 h and 6 h after agent administration. The mortality of rats was higher than control group 12 h after LPS administration. The mortality of rats in LPS+Hm and CCK-8+LPS group were lower than that in LPS group, and its in LPS+ZnPP and CCK-8+LPS+ZnPP group were lower than that in LPS and CCK-8+LPS group, respectively. Lung injury was observed in LPS group. At the same time the number of PMN, MDA and CO content were higher than those in control group. The degree of lung injury, PMN numbers and MDA content were lower, while CO content in LPS+Hm and CCK-8+LPS group were higher than those in LPS group. However, the degree of lung injury, PMN number and MDA content were higher, CO content were lower in LPS+ZnPP and CCK-8+LPS+ZnPP group than those in LPS and CCK-8+LPS group, respectively. CONCLUSION: CCK-8 attenuates the LPS-induced acute lunginjury by means of anti-oxidation and inhibition of PMN aggregation, which are both mediated by CO.     

Hexokinase 2 inhibits LPS-induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in human lung epithelial BEAS-2B cells

AIM: To explore the effect of hexokinase 2 (HK2) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis of human lung epithelial BEAS-2B cells and the underlying mechanisms.METHODS: BEAS-2B cells were treated with LPS to induce cell injury, and the cell viability was examined by CCK-8 assay. Hoechst 33342 staining and Annexin V/PI double staining were used to analyze the apoptosis. The apoptotic pathway was identified by the specific inhibitor for caspase-8 or caspase-9. The releases of key mediators in mitochondrial apoptosis pathway were examined by Western blot. The effects of HK2 in these process were confirmed by HK2 over-expression followed by LPS treatment.RESULTS: CCK-8 assay showed that LPS treatment decreased the viability of BEAS-2B cells in a dose/time-dependent manner (P<0.01). The apoptosis of BEAS-2B cells was manifested by Hoechst 33342 and Annexin V/PI double staining. Pretreatment with z-LEHD-fmk, but not z-IETD-fmk, reversed the decreased cell viability under LPS stimulation. HK2 down-regulation was involved in LPS-induced apoptosis of the BEAS-2B cells. After HK2 over-expression, the cell viability was increased after LPS treatment. Releases of cytochrome C and apoptosis-inducing factor from mitochondrion to cytoplasm during apoptosis were also inhibited by HK2 over-expression.CONCLUSION: Hexokinase 2 inhibits LPS-induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in human lung epithelial cells.     

CB2 receptor agonist JWH133 exerts protective effects on rat model of paraquat-induced acute lung injury

AIM: To study the protective effects of cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonist JWH133 on rat acute lung injury induced by paraquat (PQ).METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=72) were randomly divided into 4 groups. PQ group: PQ was administered intraperitoneally at the dose of 20 mg/kg; Low-dose JWH133 pretreatment group (L-JWH133 group): JWH133 (5 mg/kg, ip) was administered 1 h before PQ exposure; high-dose JWH133 pretreatment group (H-JWH133 group): JWH133 (20 mg/kg, ip) was administered 1 h before PQ exposure; control group: 1 mL saline was administered intraperitoneally. Arterial blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue samples were collected at 8 h, 1 d and 3 d after PQ exposure. PaO2 and the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in BALF were measured via blood gas analyzer and ELISA, respectively. The pathological changes and lung injury scores were assessed at 3 d after PQ exposure. NF-κB and AP-1 protein levels were also determined by Western blotting.RESULTS: The decrease in PaO2, structural injury of the lung tissues, interstitial pulmonary edema, and the increase in IL-1β and TNF-α in BALF were observed in PQ-treated rats compared with control group. JWH133 pretreatment reduced the degree of lung tissue injury, decreased the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in BALF and the NF-κB and AP-1 protein expression in the lung tissue compared with PQ group, especially in H-JWH133 group. CONCLUSION: CB2 receptor agonist JWH133 inhibits NF-κB and AP-1 protein expression in the lung tissues, and reduces the secretion of IL-1β and TNF-α in BALF after paraquat exposure, thus attenuating paraquat-induced acute lung injury.     

Effects of angiopoietin 4 on lipopolysaccharide-induced injury of human umbilical vein endothelial cells

AIM:To observe the effects of angiopoietin 4 (Ang-4) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced injury of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS:The EnVision immunohistochemical method was used to identify the HUVECs. After pre-treated with different doses of Ang-4 for 0.5 h, HUVECs was exposed to LPS at concentration of 10 mg/L for 24 h. The cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. The content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the supernatant and the concentrations of intracellular and supernatant von Willebrand factor (vWF) were detected by ELISA. The mRNA levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), NF-κB p65 and TNF-α were determined by real-time PCR. RESULTS:Factor Ⅷ in the cytoplasm was positive in the HUVECs.Compared with normal group, LPS reduced the cell viability (P<0.01), and significantly increased the secretion of TNF-α and vWF (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of TLR4, NF-κB p65 and TNF-α also increased (P<0.01). Ang-4 at concentration of 100 μg/L enhanced the cell viability (P<0.01), reduced the content of vWF and TNF-α, and inhibited the LPS-induced increases in the mRNA levels of TLR4, NF-κB p65 and TNF-α (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Ang-4 antagonizes LPS-induced damage in HUVECs by inhibiting TLR4-NF-κB p65-TNF-α signaling pathways.     

Effect of GRK5 on activation of rat astrocytes

AIM: To study the effect of G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 (GRK5) on the activation of astrocytes in the brain cortex of newborn Wistar rats. METHODS: GRK5 gene was silenced in the model of rat brain cortex astrocytes in vitro for 24 h. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which is a known inhibitor of NF-κB, was added into the culture medium according to gene silencing for 24 h. The expression levels of GFAP and caspase-3 were detected by the method of immunofluorescence, and the mRNA levels of NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β and iNOS were determined by real-time PCR. Moreover, the activity of SOD and concentrations of TNF-α and NO were measured. RESULTS: GRK5 gene silencing increased the expression of NF-κB at mRNA and protein levels obviously (P<0.01), and the mRNA levels of IL-1β and iNOS increased synchronously (P<0.01). Furthermore, caspase-3-positive cells in GRK5 siRNA group were increased compared with control siRNA group (P<0.01). Treatment with NAC obviously reduced the activity of NF-κB and weakened the effects induced by GRK5 siRNA (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: GRK5 siRNA increases NF-κB activity and induces the activation of astrocytes.     

Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on expression of nuclear factor κB and release of cytokines in human umbilical vein endothelial cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide

AIM: To investigate the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA) on the expression of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) and release of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), IL-1α and IL-6 in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide(LPS).METHODS: HUVECs were obtained from cell strain and cultured in vitro. HUVECs were divided into 4 groups: control group, LPS group, 0.030 g/L EPA treatment group and 0.050 g/L EPA treatment group. The cells were cultured with LPS alone in LPS group and incubated with EPA for 1 h in the EPA pretreatment groups at the concentrations of 0.030 g/L and 0.050 g/L before LPS stimulation. Twenty-four hours after stimulated by LPS, the protein expression of NF-κB p65 in HUVECs were assessed by Western blotting analysis at different time points. The production of VEGF, IL-1α and IL-6 in cultured HUVECs was evaluated by ELISA. The effects of EPA on the protein expression of NF-κB p65 and the production of VEGF, IL-1α and IL-6 in HUVECs challenged by LPS were also determined.RESULTS: Compared with control group, the protein expression of NF-κB p65 was significantly increased in HUVECs induced by LPS and was inhibited by EPA. Compared with control group, the protein expression of VEGF, IL-1α and IL-6 was dramatically increased in HUVECs induced by LPS and most of the increase was inhibited by EPA.CONCLUSION: LPS enhances the protein expression of NF-κB and the release of VEGF, IL-1α and IL-6. EPA inhibits the protein expression of NF-κB, and the production of VEGF and the inflammatory cytokines in cultured HUVECs stimulated by LPS, indicating that EPA may be useful for preventing and treating neovascular and inflammatory diseases.