Abnormal development of genital organs in offspring male mice exposed to finasteride during pregnancy

AIM: To investigate the effects of finasteride exposure during pregnancy on the development of reproductive organs in offspring male mice. METHODS: CD-1 mice were treated with finasteride from 0 to 17 d after conception. The development of reproductive organs in the offspring male mice were observed by macroscopy, anatomical analysis and histological staining. The spermatogenesis was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Macroscopic observation showed that fenasteride exposure during pregnancy resulted in external genital malformations in the offspring male mice, which were manifested as incomplete scrotal fusion and penile malformation. In addition, the anogenital distance was significantly shortened (P<0.01). Histological staining showed that the length of penis at each stage was significantly shortened (P<0.01), the density of seminiferous tubules in testis and mature spermatozoa in seminiferous tubules were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the luminal space size of seminiferous tubules and interstitial space size of testises were significantly increased (P<0.01). Immunofluorescence staining showed that the densities of Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and spermatogonium in testis were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the fluorescence intensity of caspase-3 in spermatogenic tubule cells was increased significantly (P<0.01). However, the fluorescence intensity of Ki67 and desert hedgehog (Dhh) was decreased significantly (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Finasteride exposure during pregnancy results in abnormal development of reproductive organs in offspring male mice and affects spermatogenesis.     

Geniposide attenuates cognitive dysfunction in sleep-deprived rats by inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway

AIM To investigate the effects of geniposide （Gen） on Toll like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB （TLR4/NF-κB） signaling pathway and cognitive dysfunction in sleep deprived rats. METHODS Wistar rats （n=120） were randomly divided into normal control （NC） group, model （M） group, low-dose （5 g·kg^-1·d^-1） Gen （Gen-L） group, medium-dose （10 g·kg^-1·d^-1） Gen （Gen-M） group, high-dose （20 g·kg^-1·d^-1） Gen （Gen-H） group and Gen-H+LPS （0.4 mg·kg^-1·d^-1, tail vein injection） group. After 7 days of intervention, the sleep deprivation model of rats in M group, Gen-L, Gen-M, Gen-H and Gen-H+LPS group was established by improved small platform water environment. The escape latency of Morris water maze experiment and the behavior correct rate of Y maze experiment were measured. The serum levels of S100B and neuron-specific enolase （NSE）, and the levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in hippocampus were detected by ELISA. The mRNA levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 were detected by RT-qPCR, and the protein levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 were determined by Western blot. RESULTS Compared with NC group, the escape latency, the serum levels of S100B and NSE, the hippocampal levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, and the mRNA and protein expression of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 were increased significantly in M group （P<0.01）, and the behavior correct rate was decreased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with M group, the escape latency, the hippocampal levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, and the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 at mRNA and protein levels were decreased significantly in Gen-L, Gen-M and Gen-H groups （P<0.01）, and the behavior correct rate was increased in turn （P<0.01）. Compared with Gen-H group, the escape latency, the serum levels of S100B and NSE, the hippocampal levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, and the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 at mRNA and protein levels were increased significantly in Gen-H+LPS group （P<0.01）, and the behavior correct rate was decreased significantly （P<0.01）. CONCLUSION Geniposide may inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway to effectively improve cognitive function in sleep-deprived rats and reduce hippocampus inflammation.     

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy activates CREB/BDNF signaling pathway to reduce synaptic damage in hippocampal neurons of Alzheimer disease mice

AIM To investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on synaptic damage of hippocampal neurons in APP/PS1 transgenic (TG) mice and its possible mechanism. METHODS The 6-month-old male APP/PS1 TG mice were randomly divided into TG group, HBO group and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) inhibitor H89 group, with 10 mice in each group. Ten male wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice of the same age were used as negative control group (WT group). The mice in HBO and H89 groups were treated with HBO for 6 cycles, while the mice in WT group and TG group were not treated. The learning and memory abilities were observed by Morris water maze. The nesting ability of the mice was detected by nesting test. The Nissl bodies in hippocampal neurons were observed by Nissl staining. The mRNA expression of CREB and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampus was detected by real-time PCR. The protein levels of synapsin (SYN), postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43), CREB, phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB) and BDNF in the hippocampus were determined by Western blot. RESULTS Compared with WT group, the learning and memory abilities of the mice in TG group were signilficantly reduced (P<0.05). In addition, the nesting score, the number of Nissl bodies in the hippocampal neurons, the mRNA expression of CREB and BDNF, and the protein levels of SYN, PSD95, GAP43, p-CREB and BDNF were also decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with TG group, the learning and memory abilities of the mice in HBO group were improved (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the nesting scores of the mice were significantly increased (P<0.05), the neurons in the hippocampus were arranged neatly, and the number of Nissl bodies, the relative mRNA expression of CREB and BDNF,and the protein levels of SYN, PSD95, GAP43, p-CREB and BDNF were also increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with HBO group, the mice in H89 group had poor learning and memory abilities, lowered nesting scores and decreased number of Nissl bodies. Futhermore, the relative mRNA expression of CREB and BDNF, and the protein levels of SYN, PSD95, GAP43, p-CREB and BDNF were also decreased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSION HBO improves the learning and memory abilities of APP/PS1 TG mice, and its mechanism may be related to activating the CREB/BDNF signaling pathway to reduce synaptic damage of hippocampal neurons in mice.     

Role and potential mechanism of fecal microbiota transplantation in treatment of chronic hepatitis B

AIM To investigate the effect of fecal microbiota transplantation （FMT） on the treatment of chronic hepatitis B （CHB） and the potential mechanism. METHODS Fifty C57BL/6J mice （6~8 weeks old） were divided into 5 groups： control group, CHB group, entecavir （ETV） group, comprehensive treatment （ETV+FMT, EFMT） group, and blocker （TAK-242+ETV+FMT, EFMT-TAK） group. The mice in each group were given corresponding treatment. The general condition of the mice was observed daily, and fecal specimens were kept every 10 d. The mice were sacrificed after 12 weeks, and the liver tissues and blood samples were collected. HE staining was used for histological scoring. Serum hepatitis B surface antigen （HBsAg） and interleukin-18 （IL-18） levels were measured by ELISA. Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） expression was detected by flow cytometry. Intestinal flora diversity was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing. RESULTS （1） Compared with control group, the body weight of the mice in CHB group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）. The body weight loss of the mice in ETV group, EFMT group and EFMT-TAK group was reversed to some extent as compared with CHB group （P<0.05）. （2） The histological score of the mice in CHB group was significantly higher than that in control group （P<0.05）. The score in ETV group was lower than that in CHB group （P<0.05）. The scores in EFMT group and EFMT-TAK group were lower than that in ETV group （P<0.05）, and that in EFMT-TAK group had a further downward trend compared with EFMT group （P<0.05）. （3） Compared with control group, the serum level of HBsAg in the CHB mice was significantly increased （P<0.05） and decreased after ETV treatment （P<0.05）. The HBsAg level in both EFMT group and EFMT-TAK group was significantly lower than that in ETV group （P<0.05）. （4） The IL-18 level in CHB group was significantly higher than that in control group （P<0.05）. After ETV treatment, the IL-18 level was decreased （P<0.05）, and that in both EFMT group and EFMT-TAK group was decreased more than that in ETV group （P<0.05）. （5） TLR4 expression in CHB group was higher than that in control group （P<0.05）, that in ETV group was lower than CHB group （P<0.05）, and that in EFMT group was further decreased （P<0.05）. （6） The heat map analysis at the class level showed that the abundances of Gammaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria and Negativicutes in CHB group were significantly higher than those in control group, and those of Deltaproteobacteria and Negativicutes in EFMT group were close to those in control group. The heat map analysis at the family level indicated that the abundances of Burkholderiaceae, Desulfovibrionaceae and Veillonellaceae in CHB group were significantly higher than those in control group, while those in ETV group and EFMT group gradually approached normal levels. The α diversity index in CHB group was significantly decreased, while the diversity in ETV group was increased, that in EFMT group was further increased, and that in EFMT-TAK group was the highest. CONCLUSION FMT plays an active role in the treatment of CHB. The mechanism may be related to reducing the level of IL-18 and improving the structure and diversity of intestinal flora. The TLR4 signaling pathway is involved.     

菜薹BrNAP克隆及其在采后叶片衰老中的功能分析

在菜薹(Brassica rapa var. parachinensis)中克隆Br NAP1并分析其功能。Br NAP1编码区全长813 bp,编码270个氨基酸,具有NAP转录因子特有的保守结构域,属于NAP亚家族成员。Br NAP1表达量与叶片衰老程度呈正相关且受ABA诱导表达上调。亚细胞定位试验表明Br NAP1定位于细胞核。互补试验显示Br NAP1能使拟南芥atnap滞绿表型回复至野生型,过表达则能引起采后叶片早衰。双荧光素酶试验表明Br NAP1能够激活Br SAG113表达。这些说明Br NAP1是菜薹采后叶片衰老的正调控基因。     

Differential expression of nesfatin-1 in intestinal tissues of premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis and and its mechanism

AIM To analyze the expression of nesfatin-1 in intestinal tissues of premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis （NEC）， and to explore the effect of nesfatin-1 on lipopolysacharide （LPS）-induced enterocytes and its mechanism. METHODS The intestinal tissues were obtained from infants who underwent intestinal surgery for NEC in our hospital from 2017 to 2019. The mRNA expression of nesfatin-1 in the tissue samples of NEC were evaluated by RT-qPCR. Human fetal normal colon epithelial HCoEpiC cells and human colon cancer Caco-2 cells were used as research objects. The effect of nesfatin-1 on the secretion of cytokines was measured by ELISA. Western blot was used to analyze the protein expression of nesfatin-1 and Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， NLRP3， AIM2， caspase-1 and ASC， and co-immunoprecipitation assay were conducted to explore the relation between nesfatin-1 and TLR4. RESULTS The expression of nesfatin-1 in NEC preterm infants was significantly lower than that in the healthy group （P<0.01）. Compared with control group， the expression of nesfatin-1 in HCo Epic cells and HT-29 cells induced by LPS was decreased （P<0.01）， while the transfection of nesfatin-1 reversed the stimulation of LPS， and the over-expression of nesfatin-1 decreased the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and increased the level of IL-10 （P<0.05）. In addition， nesfatin-1 over-expression inhibited the expression of NLRP3， AIM2， caspase-1 and ASC. The expression of TLR4 in NEC tissue samples was significantly higher than that in healthy infants （P<0.05）. Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a significant negative correlation between nesfatin-1 and TLR4 （r=-0.816， P<0.01）. TLR4 was found to co-precipitate with nesfatin-1. CONCLUSION Nesfatin-1 protects intestinal cells from LPS induced inflammation by targeting TLR4， which may be a potential target of anti-NEC therapy.     

草莓白化相关病毒中国分离物全基因组分析

草莓白化相关病毒(strawberrypallidosis-associatedvirus,SPa V)属于长线形病毒科(Closteroviridae)毛形病毒属(Crinivirus),可引起草莓病害,2017年在中国首次报道。采用高通量测序、RACE和RT-PCR技术获得了SPa V中国分离物(FJ)的基因组全长。该病毒含有两条正单链基因组RNA1和RNA2。RNA1全长8 048 nt,5′和3′非编码区序列分别为264和197 nt,含有3个开放阅读框(ORF),分别编码ORF 1a/1b融合蛋白和p9蛋白。RNA2全长7 977 nt,5′和3′非编码区序列分别为248和186 nt,含有8个开放阅读框(ORF),分别编码HSP70h、CPh、CP、CPm、p7、p6、p9和p28等8个蛋白。RNA1和RNA2与美国M1分离物分别具有98.5%和99.0%的核苷酸一致性;系统发育分析结果表明,SPa V中国分离物(FJ)单独处在一个分支。对SPa V来源的小RNA的分析表明,来源于SPa V的小RAN长度以21和22 nt为主。     

Effect of lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 on viability and apoptosis of LPS-induced vascular endothelial cells by regulating miR-363-3p expression

AIM To investigate the mechanism of long noncoding RNA （lncRNA） FEZF1-AS1 regulating microRNA-363-3p （miR-363-3p） on the viability and apoptosis of lipopolysaocharide （LPS）-induced vascular endothelial cells. METHODS Human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs） were cultured in vitro. pcDNA-NC, pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1, anti-miR-NC, anti-miR-363-3p, miR-NC and miR-363-3p mimics were transfected into the HUVECs and LPS stimulation was applied for 24 h. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of FEZF1-AS1 and miR-363-3p. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. The dual-luciferase reporter experiment was used to verify the targeted regulation of FEZF1-AS1 and miR-363-3p. Western blot was used to determined the expression of cyclin D1, Ki67 and cleaved caspase-3. RESULTS Compared with control group, the expression level of FEZF1-AS1 in LPS group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, and the expression level of miR-363-3p was significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with pcDNA-NC+LPS group, the cell viability in pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1+LPS group was significantly increased （P<0.05）, the apoptotic rate was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, the protein levels of cyclin D1 and Ki67 were significantly increased （P<0.05）, and the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Compared with anti-miR-NC+LPS group, the cell viability in anti-miR-363-3p+LPS group was significantly increased （P<0.05）, the apoptotic rate was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, the protein levels of cyclin D1 and Ki67 were significantly increased （P<0.05）, and the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Dual-luciferase reporter experiment confirmed that FEZF1-AS1 targeted miR-363-3p. Compared with miR-NC+pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1+LPS group, the cell viability in miR-363-3p+pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1+LPS group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, the apoptotic rate was significantly increased （P<0.05）, the protein levels of cyclin D1 and Ki67 were significantly reduced （P<0.05）, and the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly increased （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION Over-expression of FEZF1-AS1 promotes the viability and inhibits apoptosis of LPS induced vascular endothelial cells by inhibiting the expression of miR-363-3p.     

Inhibitory effect of Wendan decoction on atherosclerotic plaque formation in ApoE-/- mice by regulating expression of membrane proteins involved in reverse cholesterol transport

AIM To explore the anti-atherosclerotic mechanism of Wendan decoction based on reverse cholesterol transport. METHODS Eight-week-old apolipoprotein E gene knockout （ApoE^-/-） mice with high-fat diet and daily drug gavage were randomly divided into model group, simvastatin group, and low-, middle- and high-dose Wendan decoction groups, with 15 mice in each group. The C57BL/6 mice of the same age served as control group. The mice were weighed once every week. After 10 weeks, the mice were anesthetized with chloral hydrate. The serum were collected for lipid level examination. The atherosclerotic plaque buildup in aortic root and whole aorta was observed by HE staining and oil red O staining, respectively. The levels of proteins related to cholesterol transport, ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 （ABCA1） and caveolin-1 in the aorta, and scavenger receptor class B type I （SR-BI） and CD36 in the liver, were quantified by Western blot. RESULTS Wendan decoction at middle dose inhibited the increase in the body weight of ApoE^-/- mice fed with high-fat diet （P<0.05）. Wendan decoction at different doses significantly reduced the serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the ApoE^-/- mice （P<0.05 or P<0.01）, but had no effect on serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level （P>0.05）. Wendan decoction at different doses inhibited the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in whole aorta of the ApoE^-/- mice （P<0.05 or P<0.01）. Middle- and high-dose Wendan decoction significantly inhibited the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic root （P<0.05）. Bedsides, Wendan decoction at different doses increased the protein level of ABCA1 and decreased the protein level of caveolin-1 in the aorta of the ApoE^-/- mice （P<0.01）. Middle- and high-dose Wendan decoction increased the liver protein level of SR-BI in the ApoE^-/- mice （P<0.01）. However, Wendan decoction at different doses had no effect on the liver protein level of CD36 in the ApoE^-/- mice （P>0.05）. CONCLUSION Wendan decoction reduces the body weight, serum lipid levels and formation of atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE^-/- mice fed with high-fat diet, and its mechanism is related to up-regulation of ABCA1 protein level in the aorta and SR-BI protein level in the liver as well as down-regulation of caveolin-1 protein level in the aorta.     

Alleviating effect of exenatide on ectopic lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice is independent on reducing body weight

AIM To investigate the alleviating effect of exenatide （Exe）, a glucagon-like peptide-1 （GLP-1） receptor agonist, on the ectopic lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice and its mechanism. METHODS Eight-week-old male ob/ob mice and their wild-type （WT） littermates were randomly divided into 3 groups, ob/ob group, ob/ob+Exe group and WT group, and treated with Exe at 24 nmol/kg or the same volume of saline intraperitoneally once daily for 4 weeks. The body weight, fasting blood glucose （FBG） and fat content were measured after the 4-week treatment. The oil red O staining and the quantification of triglyceride （TG） were performed on the skeletal muscle. The serum levels of TG, total cholesterol and free fatty acid （FFA） were also measured by ELISA. The expression levels of AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK） and lipid metabolism-related proteins were determined by Western blot. Mouse myoblast C2C12 cells were used as an in vitro model to further investigate the effects of Exe. RESULTS As compared with the ob/ob mice treated with saline, 4-week Exe treatment did not reduce body weight, FBG, food intake and fat content in ob/ob mice （P>0.05）. However, serum FFA was decreased （P<0.05）. Oil red O staining and the quantification of TG showed that 4-week Exe treatment significantly attenuated the ectopic lipid accumulation in the skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice （P<0.05）. The results of Western blot showed that the levels of phosphorylated AMPK （p-AMPK） and lipolysis-related proteins were up-regulated, while the lipid synthesis-related proteins were down-regulated by Exe （P<0.05）. Treatment with Exe alleviated the lipid accumulation in the C2C12 cells induced by sodium palmate （P<0.05）, and the effects of Exe on the levels of p-AMPK and lipid metabolism-related proteins in the C2C12 cells were consistent with those in the ob/ob mice （P<0.05）. Treatment with Exe also up-regulated the protein expression of glucose transporter 4 and improved the ability of glucose uptake in the C2C12 cells （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION Short-term Exe treatment attenuates the ectopic lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle of ob/ob mice by up-regulating lipolysis-related proteins and down-regulating lipid synthesis-related proteins, which is independent on body weight loss.     

Cyanidin attenuates pressure overload-induced cardiac remodeling in mice via mitochondrial fusion enhancement

AIM To investigate the effect of cyanidin （Cyn） on pressure overload-induced cardiac remodeling and the underlying mechanism. METHODS Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice （n=120） were divided into 4 groups： sham group （n=20）, sham+Cyn group （n=20）, transverse aortic constriction （TAC） group （n=40） and TAC+Cyn group （n=40）. The model of cardiac chronic pressure overload was induced by TAC, and the first day of TAC was defined as day 0. The animals in sham+Cyn group and TAC+Cyn group were treated with Cyn dissolved in DMSO and normal saline （5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） for 5 d before TAC, while the animals in sham group and TAC group were treated with the same amount of DMSO and normal saline. Four weeks after TAC, the survival rate of the animals in each group was analyzed, the heart function of the mice was measured by ultrasound echocardiography, and the heart weight/body weight and lung weight/body weight were calculated. The cross-sectional area of the cardiomyocytes was measured by wheat germ agglutinin staining and hematoxylin-eosin staining. The degree of cardiac oxidative stress was evaluated by dihydroethidium staining and measurement of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA） levels. The cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by TUNEL method. The mRNA expression levels of atrial natriuretic peptide （ANP）, brain natriuretic peptide （BNP） and β-myosin heavy chain （β-MHC） were detected by RT-qPCR, and the protein expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, optic atrophy protein 1 （OPA1） and dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1） were determined by Western blot. The mitochondrial morphological changes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS Compared with TAC group, the survival rate of the mice in TAC+Cyn group was significantly increased （P<0.05）, the myocardial apoptosis, the cross-sectional area of myocardial cells, the heart weight/body weight, the lung weight/body weight, the level of reactive oxygen species and the MDA content were decreased （P<0.05）, and the SOD was activated （P<0.05）. M-mode ultrasound tests showed that Cyn treatment significantly increased left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening in the mice after TAC （P<0.05）, while left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and left ventricular posterior wall thickness in diastole were reduced （P<0.05）. Transmission electron microscopic observation showed that the number of myocardial mitochondria was increased and the mitochondrial area was decreased after TAC （P<0.05）, while treatment with Cyn increased the area of myocardial mitochondria and decreased the mitochondrial number （P<0.05）. Compared with sham group, the protein level of OPA1 in TAC group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, while treatment with Cyn significantly increased the protein level of OPA1. CONCLUSION Cyanidin significantly increases the survival rate, improves the cardiac function and attenuates the cardiac remodeling of the mice after TAC. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of myocardial mitochondrial OPA1 cleavage and the promotion of mitochondrial fusion.     

Inhibitory effect of Wendan decoction on formation of foam cells induced by ox-LDL

AIM To explore the anti-atherosclerotic mechanism of Wendan decoction based on formation of foam cells. METHODS The optimal concentrations of Wendan decoction without cytotoxity to cells were selected by MTT assay. After Wendan decoction treatment, the formation of foam cells was examined by oil red O staining. The cholesterol efflux, cholesterol level, free cholesterol level and cholesterol esterification rate were analyzed using cholesterol efflux assay, total cholesterol assay and free cholesterol assay. The expression levels of macrophage membrane proteins, including CD36, scavenger receptor class A （SR-A）, ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 （ABCA1） and scavenger receptor class B type I （SR-BI）, were quantified by Western blot. RESULTS The optimal concentrations of Wendan decoction without cytotoxity to the cells were 0~6 g/L. Wendan decoction at the concentrations of 1.5, 3 and 6 g/L were selected for the experiments. Wendan decoction at these concentrations inhibited the formation of foam cells induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein （ox-LDL）, and reduced the accumulation of intracellular lipids in a concentration-dependent manner （P<0.05 or P<0.01）. Wendan decoction also reduced intracellular total cholesterol level, cholesterol ester level and cholesterol esterification rate （P<0.05 or P<0.01）, promoted efflux of intracellular cholesterol （P<0.01）, and decreased the protein level of CD36 in THP-1 cell-derived macrophages （P<0.01） in a concentration-dependent manner. Wendan decoction at the concentration of 6 g/L significantly reduced the protein level of SR-A in THP-1 cell-derived macrophages （P<0.05）. At the concentrations of 3 and 6 g/L, Wendan decoction significantly increased the protein levels of ABCA1 and SR-BI in THP-1 cell-derived macrophages （P<0.05 or P<0.01）. CONCLUSION Wendan decoction significantly inhibits ox-LDL-induced formation of foam cells by reducing cholesterol deposition and promoting cholesterol efflux, and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of CD36 and SR-A and the up-regulation of ABCA1 and SR-BI.     

miR-92b-5p attenuates renal injury and inflammatory response in diabetic nephropathy rats by targeting HMGB1

AIM To investigate the effect of microRNA-92b-5p （miR-92b-5p） on renal injury and inflammatory response in diabetic nephropathy （DN） rats and its mechanism. METHODS The rats were divided into control group， DN group， lentiviral negative control （LV-NC） group， LV-miR-92b group， LV-high mobility group protein B1 （LV-HMGB1） group and miR-92b+HMGB1 group， with 15 rats in each group. After fasting for 12 h， the model rats were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin at dose of 60 mg/kg， and the control rats were intraperitoneally injected with an equal volume of citrate buffer. Three days later， the rats in each treatment group were intravenously injected with 100 μL LV-NC， LV-miR-92b and LV-HMGB1 （1×10¹¹ U/L） twice a week for 8 consecutive weeks. Urinary protein， blood glucose， blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The expression of miR-92b-5p and HMGB1 mRNA was detected by RT-qPCR. The targeting relationship between miR-92b-5p and HMGB1 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. HMGB1 expression in kidney tissue was detected by Western blot. The kidney damage was observed by HE staining. The apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in renal tissues were detected by ELISA. RESULTS In DN model rats， miR-92b-5p was down-regulated， while HMGB1 was highly expressed. There was a binding site between miR-92b-5p and HMGB1 3'-untranslated region. High expression of miR-92b-5p inhibited the luciferase activity of the wild-type HMGB1 plasmid （P<0.01）， but had no effect on the luciferase activity of the mutant HMGB1 plasmid. Compared with DN group， urinary protein， blood glucose， serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen in LV-miR-92b group were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. The degree of hyperplasia， swelling and inflammatory cell infiltration of glomerular mesangium and basement membrane tubules， the apoptosis rate of renal tissues， and the content of IL-6， IL-1β and TNF-α in renal tissues were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Co-transfection of LV-HMGB1 significantly reversed the effect of miR-92b-5p on DN rats. CONCLUSION miR-92b-5p reduces renal injury and inflammatory response in DN rats by targeting HMGB1 and down-regulating its expression.     

Correlation between progression of atherosclerosis accelerated by emotional stimulation and imbalance of SDF-1/CXCR4 in mice

AIM To observe effects of emotional stimulation on expression of stromal cell-derived factor-1（SDF-1） and CXC chemokine receptor 4 （CXCR4） in plasma, platelets, aortas, hippocampus and bone marrow of apolipoprotein E gene knockout （ApoE^-/-） mice, and to reveal the possible mechanism of the aggravated atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability by emotional stimulation. METHODS Thirty 8-week-old male ApoE^-/- mice were randomly divided into normal control group, high fat group, and emotional stimulation group. Ten 8-week-old inbred C57BL/6J mice served as blank control group. After 12 weeks of intervention, the serum levels of SDF-1 and CXCR4 were investigated by ELISA. The protein levels of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in platelets, aortas, hippocampus and bone marrow were determined by Western blot. The pathological damage of aortas was observed by oil red O staining. RESULTS Compared with blank control group, normal control group and high fat group, the mice subjected to emotional stimulation showed more serious atherosclerosis in aortas detected by oil red O staining, and increased levels of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in the plasma and aortas were also observed （P<0.05）. The results of Western blot showed that the protein levels of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in platelets, aortas and hippocampus were increased in the mice subjected emotional stimulation, but the expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in the bone marrow was decreased （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION Imbalance of SDF-1/CXCR4 may be the key target by which emotional stimulation accelerates the progression of atherosclerosis.     

CYP450 epoxygenase/EET pathway attenuates adipose inflammation of obese mice through HIF-1α

AIM To investigate the effects of cytochrome P450 （CYP450） epoxygenase/epoxyeicosatrienoic acid （EET） pathway on insulin resistance in obese mice, and to explore the possible mechanisms. METHODS High-fat diet-induced obesity model was established in C57BL/6Cnc mice, and the obese mice were randomly divided into 3 groups, including obesity group （treated with saline; n=10）, EET group （treated with 11,12-EET; n=10） and EET inhibitor 14,15-epoxyeicosa-5（Z）-enoic acid （EEZE） group （n=10）. Normal C57BL/6Cnc mice （n=10） treated with saline served as control. Protein expression of CYP2J2 （one of CYP450 epoxygenases） and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α） was measured by Western blot. Vessel-like structure was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The serum levels of insulin, tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）, interleukin （IL）-1β, IL-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 （MCP-1） were measured by ELISA. RESULTS In obese mice, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance （HOMA-IR） values were increased, the protein level of CYP2J2 was reduced, and the protein level of HIF-1α was increased in adipose tissues as compared with the controls （P<0.05）. The serum levels of MCP-1, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were also significantly increased in obese mice （P<0.05）. After treatment with 11, 12-EET, the HOMA-IR values were decreased compared with vehicle-treated obese mice, HIF-1α expression levels were decreased in the adipose tissue, and the serum levels of MCP-1, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were reduced （P<0.05）. Immunohistochemical results of adipose tissue from vehicle-treated obese mice showed a marked decrease in vessel-like structures （CD31-positive） compared with normal control mice （P<0.05）. EET treatment significantly increased the newly formed vessel-like structures in the visceral adipose tissues of obese mice as compared with vehicle-treated obese mice （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION High-fat diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance are closely related to the CYP450 pathway. Exogenous EETs effectively decrease obesity-induced insulin resistance possibly through pro-angiogenesis and attenuation of hypoxia and inflammation.     

Quercetin activates mitochondrial autophagy via PINK1/parkin pathway to alleviate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

AIM To analyze the regulatory effect of quercetin （QUE） on PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 （PINK1）/parkin mitochondrial autophagy pathway, and to explore the mechanism of quercetin in relieving cerebral ischemia/reperfusion （I/R） injury. METHODS Sixty SD male rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group （I/R group）, QUE group,3-methyladenine （3-MA） group and QUE+3-MA group. Administration started in each group 3 days before modeling, once a day, at 30 min after the last administration,except sham group, the other groups used 4-vessel blockage method to establish the whole brain I/R model. On the day after modeling, the neural function was evaluated by neuropathy disability score （NDS）. The volume of cerebral infarction was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining. The morphological changes of mitochondria in hippocampus were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The contents of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in hippocampus were measured by ELISA. The activity of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and contents of malondialdehyde （MDA） in hippocampus were detected by xanthine oxidase method, thiobarbituric acid condensation method. Western blot was used to detect the proteinex pression of PINK1, parkin and LC3-II in brain tissue. RESULTS Compared with sham group, the hippocampus of the rats in I/R group and QUE+3-MA group showed swelling of mitochondria, destruction or disappearance of internal crista and other pathological damage,also the volume of cerebral infarction, the contents of IL-6, TNF-α and MDA, the protein expression levels of PINK1, parkin and LC3-II were increased （P<0.05）, while NDS score and activity of SOD were decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with I/R group and QUE+3-MA group, the pathological damage degree of hippocampus in QUE group was reduced, the volume of cerebral infarction, the contents of IL-6, TNF-α and MDA were decreased （P<0.05）, the proteinexpression levels of PINK1, parkin and LC3-II, and NDS score and activity of SOD were increased （P<0.05）.The above indexes in 3-MA group were opposite to QUE group. No significant difference in the above indexes between I/R group and QUE+3-MA group was observed （P>0.05）. CONCLUSION Quercetin activates mitochondrial autophagy and reduces cerebral I/R by regulating the expression of PINK1/parkin pathway proteins.     

SUMO-specific protease 3 aggravates CaPO4-induced mouse abdominal aortic aneurysm formation by promoting macrophage polarization

AIMTo investigate the role of SUMO-specific protease 3 (SENP3) in macrophage polarization and calcium phosphate (CaPO₄)-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation in mice. METHODS（1） Bone marrow-derived monocytes (BMDMs) in Senp3^flox/flox (wild-type, WT) mice and Senp3^flox/flox; Lyz2-Cre (monocyte-specific SENP3 knockout, i.e. conditioned knockout, cKO) mice were isolated and induced for M1 and M2 polarization. The mRNA and protein expression level of SENP3 were detected by RT-qPCR, Western blot and immunocytofluorescence, and the differential distribution of M1/M2 BMDMs from WT and cKO mice was analyzed. （2） CaPO₄ was administrated to induce AAA model in 8~12-week-old male WT and cKO mice. The AAA incidence, survival rate and maximal aortic diameter were analyzed between the 2 groups. Aortic aneurysm tissues were collected for pathological analysis, and the expression levels of SENP3, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), IL-6 and matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Dihydroethidium staining in situ in frozen sections was used to analyze the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). （3） To explore the potential mechanisms, Western blot and co-immunoprecipitation were used to verify the de-SUMO modification of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7 (MKK7) induced by SENP3. Besides, BMDMs were transfected with Flag-MKK7 wild type (Flag-MKK7 WT) and SUMO-modified site K18 mutant (Flag-MKK7 K18R mutant), and then M1 polarization of the cells was induced. The protein levels of p-JNK and MMP-9 in the 2 groups were determined by Western blot. RESULTS(1) SENP3 expression was up-regulated in M1 polarized macrophages (P<0.01), but was down-regulated in M2 polarized macrophages (P<0.01). The expression of SENP3 was decreased during the transformation of M1 to M2 in the macrophages (P<0.01), but was significantly up-regulated during the opposite process (P<0.01). Besides, more M1 macrophages and less M2 macrophages after induction were observed in the BMDMs from cKO mice than those from WT mice. (2) SENP3 expression was up-regulated in AAA tissues (P<0.05). The AAA incidence of cKO mice was significantly reduced after CaPO₄ induction (P<0.01), the survival rate was significantly improved (P<0.05), and maximal aortic diameter was significantly reduced in cKO group (P<0.01). The levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα, and the production of ROS were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01), meanwhile MMP-9 expression was also down-regulated in cKO mice (P<0.05). (3) the SUMO2/3 modification of MKK7 was reduced during M1 polarization, and MKK7 interaction with SENP3 was enhanced. Significantly up-regulated protein level of p-JNK and MMP-9 were verified in the M1 macrophages transfected with Flag-MKK7 K18R mutant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION SENP3 activates the MAPK/JNK pathway via de-SUMOylation of MKK7, regulates the M1/M2 polarization of macrophages and promotes the protein level of MMP-9, thus aggravating AAA formation.     

Protective effect of curcumin on MRL/lpr mice with lupus nephritis and its mechanism

AIM To observe the effect of curcumin （Cur） on lupus nephritis （LN） and its possible mechanism. METHODS Thirty 10-week-old MRL/lpr lupus mice were randomly divided into MRL/lpr group， Cur-L and Cur-H group with 10 mice in each group， and C57BL/6 mice （n=10） served as normal control （NC） group. The mice in Cur-L group and Cur-H group were given intragastric administration of Cur at 100 and 200 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 for 12 weeks， respectively， and the same volume of normal saline was given to the mice in NC group and MRL/lpr group. The urine protein was detected， and the morphological changes of the renal tissue were observed by HE staining after treatment. The levels of serum creatinine （SCr）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN） and serum anti-double-stranded DNA （dsDNA）， and interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） levels in serum and renal tissues were detected. The protein levels of p-IκB， NF-κB， NLRP3 and caspase-1 in the renal tissues were determined by Western blot. RESULTS Compared with MRL/lpr group， the content of urine protein in Cur groups was significantly reduced， and the renal injury was relieved. The SCr， BUN， serum anti-dsDNA， and the serum and renal levels of IL-1， IL-6 and TNF-α were all significantly reduced， and the protein levels of p-IκB， NF-κB， NLRP and caspase-1 in the renal tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION Cur has a certain protective effect on the kidney of MRL/lpr mice， and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways.     

Effects of oxidative stress and inflammatory response on kidney injury in mice with hyperthyroidism

AIM To explore the effects of oxidative stress and inflammatory response on kidney injury induced by hyperthyroidism in mice. METHODS Forty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into control group （n=20） and L-thyroxine （T4） group （n=20）. The mice in T4 group were intraperitoneally injected with T4 diluent at a dose of 1 mg/kg to induce hyperthyroidism, and those in control group were injected with normal saline of the same volume. After 7 weeks, the mice were weighed and dissected, the kidneys were removed and weighed, and the length of tibia was also measured. The activity of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and the content of malondialdehyde （MDA） in the kidney tissues were detected. The pathological changes of the kidney tissues were observed by HE staining. The levels of 4-hydroxynonenal （4-HNE）-modified proteins, interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 （IRAK1） and tumor necrosis factor receptor-related factor 6 （TRAF6） were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Compared with control group, the body weight of the mice was decreased, while the kidney size and weight were increased significantly in T4 group. In addition, the ratios of kidney weight/body weight and kidney weight/tibia length were also increased （P<0.05）. In T4 group, the renal tubules were enlarged, and the epithelial cells of renal tubules were swollen and exfoliated, with vacuolar degeneration. Furthermore, reduced SOD activity, and increased MDA content and 4-HNE-modified proteins were found in T4 group, all of which were related to oxidative stress （P<0.05）. The levels of inflammation-related proteins IRAK1 and TRAF6 were significantly increased in T4 group （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION Excessive T4 may lead to kidney hypertrophy and injury in mice, and the mechanism may be related to oxidative stress and inflammatory response.