Effect of ischemia or hypoxia on vascular endothelial growth factor production in rat myocardium and its significance

AIM:To determine the relationship between ischemia, hypoxia and the production of vascular endothelial growth factor in rat myocardium and its basic mechanism. METHODS:(1) 28 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A, normal control;group B, 1 day's acute myocardial infarction;group C, 3 day's acute myocardial infarction;group D, 7 day's acute myocardial infarction. (2) Rat cardiac myocytes cultured were primarily divided into some groups, hypoxia incubated 24 hours; PMA groups, hypoxia incubated 24 hours with PKC activator (PMA), A 0 ng/mL; B 10 ng/mL; C 100 ng/mL; D 1 000 ng/mL; Chelerythrine groups, hypoxia incubated 24 hours with PKC inhibitor (chelerythrine), A 0 nmol/L; B 10 nmol/L. (3) By computer scanned and quantitated, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein was detected with immunohistochemical technique. RESULTS:The longer time of ischemia and hypoxia was, the higher the VEGF production.The relat ionship was found between the time of ischemia or hypoxia and the production of VEGF.The product ion of VEGF protein was further promoted by PMA with different concentrat ion, decreased by chelerythrine.CONCLUSION: Ischemia or hypoxia strongly stimulated the production of VEGF in myocardium, which played an important role in autoprotecting of ischemic or hypoxic myocardium. Hypoxia-induced PKC activation is one kind of basic mechanisms in this course.     

Protective effect of C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein 3 on vascular endothelium in rats with hyperuricemia

AIM To study whether C1q/tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-related protein 3 （CTRP3）protect vascular endothelium in rats with hyperuricemia and its potential mechanisms. METHODS An animal model of hyperuricemia was established by using male SD rats drinking 10% fructose water （n=10）. The rats drinking normal water served as normal controls （n=10）. After 12 weeks, the rats were given a single injection with Ad-CTRP3 or Ad-GFP. The experiment was ended at 14th day after transfection.The serum levels of uric acid and nitric oxide （NO） were evaluated. The serum contents of TNF-α and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were measured by ELISA. HE staining and TUNEL assay were used to assess the morphological changes of intima and apoptosis of endothelial cells in thoracic aorta, respectively. The mRNA levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS）, TNF-α and IL-6 were detected by RT-qPCR. The protein levels of CTRP3 and Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） were determined by Western blot. RESULTS Compared with normal control group, the rats with hyperuricemia showed lower CTRP3 and higher TLR4 protein levels in the thoracic aorta （P<0.05）. Hyperuricemic rats had higher serum contents of uric acid, TNF-α and IL-6 （P<0.05）. Also, the intima structure disturbance of thoracic aorta, increased apoptotic rate, higher mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-6 as well as lower mRNA levels of eNOS were observed （P<0.05）. By contrast, CTRP3 over-expression decreased TLR4 protein levels, reduced inflammatory cytokines, and obviously improved the morphology and function of thoracic aorta in the rats with hyperuricemia. CONCLUSION CTRP3 protect vascular endothelium in rats with hyperuricemia maybe via down-regulation of TLR4- mediated inflammatory signaling pathway.     

Mechanism of quercetin improving rat coronary artery myogenic response under high glucose

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of quercetin improving rat coronary artery myogenic response under high glucose (HG) by measuring muscle tension of coronary arterial ring and recording voltage-gated K⁺ channel (Kv) current of coronary artery smooth muscle cells by whole cell patch clamp. METHODS: The coronary rings from the normal SD rats were acutely isolated, and then divided into 6 groups: (1) control group; (2) HG group; (3) HG+low dose (3 μmol/L) of quercetin group; (4) HG+moderate dose (10 μmol/L) of quercetin group; (5) HG+high dose (30 μmol/L) of quercetin group; (6) HG+C6303 (PKC inhibitor)+high dose of quercetin group. Determinations of coronary artery response to vasoconstrictor (60 mmol/L KCl or 0.1 mmol/L U46619) or vasodilator (ACh at 10^-9~10^-5 mol/L) were performed, and the percentage of coronary ring tension was calculated using the contraction as 100% caused by 60 mmol/L KCl. The rat coronary artery smooth muscle cells were acutely isolated for recording the Kv current using whole cell patch clamp. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the contraction amplitudes to 60 mmol/L KCl or 0.1 mmol/L U46619 were significantly increased under HG incubation. Quercetin intervention concentration-dependently reduced the coronary artery contraction amplitude. Incubation of PKC specific inhibitor C6303 attenuated the effect of quercetin. Compared with control group, the diastolic amplitude to ACh decreased significantly in HG group, and quercetin intervention concentration-dependently increased the coronary artery diastolic amplitude. Incubation of PKC specific inhibitor C6303 attenuated the effect of quercetin. Compared with control group, HG incubation inhibited Kv current of coronary artery vascular smooth muscle cells significantly, and quercetin intervention attenuated the inhibitory effect of HG on Kv current intensity. Incubation of PKC specific inhibitor C6303 attenuated the effect of quercetin. CONCLUSION: Quercetin has a protective effect on myogenic response of coronary artery under HG and the effects is related to the increase in Kv current and the activation of PKC in vascular smooth muscle cells.     

Effect of tetrandrine on radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of the radiosensitizing effect of maximum non-cytotoxic doses of tetrandrine (Tet) on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines CNE1 and CNE2.METHODS: The cells were treated with ma-ximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet (for CNE1 cells at 1.5 μmol/L and for CNE2 cells at 1.8 μmol/L), irradiation at 4 Gy, or combination of irradiation and maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet. The cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein levels of γ-H2AX, cleaved caspase-3, p-CDC25C, CDK1, p-CDK1, cyclin B1, ERK and p-ERK were determined by Western blot.RESULTS: The expression of γ-H2AX was increased in CNE1 cells and CNE2 cells after combined treatment with irradiation and maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet. The percentages of CNE1 cells and CNE2 cells at G₂/M phase in irradiation group were (18.09±0.42)% and (18.48±1.32)%, respectively, which were decreased to (15.88±1.04)% and (13.80±0.82)% in combined treatment group, respectively (P<0.05). Combined treatment enhanced the increase in the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 caused by irradiation. The protein levels of p-CDC25C and p-CDK1 were increased in a dose-dependent manner by Tet treatment (P<0.05), while the expression of CDK1 showed no difference among different doses of Tet treatments. The protein levels of p-CDC25C, p-CDK1 and CDK1 showed no difference after the treatment with maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet. The combined treatment with irradiation and the maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet decreased the protein levels of p-CDC25C and p-CDK1 (P<0.05), increased the expression of cyclin B1, and had no influence on the expression of CDK1 (P<0.05). The combined treatment resulted in an increase in the protein level of p-ERK1 (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet enhance the DNA damage and apoptosis in CNE1 cells and CNE2 cells caused by irradiation, and the mechanism might be associated with ending of G₂/M arrest via activation of ERK/CDC25C/CDK1/cyclin B1 pathways.     

中国2种橡胶树炭疽病菌对咪鲜胺敏感性比较

炭疽病是橡胶树上一种重要的叶部病害,主要病原有胶孢炭疽菌和尖孢炭疽菌。为了解中国各植胶区炭疽菌对咪鲜胺的敏感性,采用生长速率法室内测定来自海南、云南、广东和广西4省(区)22株橡胶树胶孢炭疽病菌和15株尖孢炭疽菌对咪鲜胺的敏感性。结果表明:供试的37株橡胶炭疽病菌菌株对咪鲜胺的EC_(50)值为0.022 0~0.272 1 mg/L,平均为(0.061 7±0.055 4)mg/L,EC_(50)最大值是最小值的12.5倍。其中89.2%参试菌株的EC_(50)值介于0~0.100 0 mg/L。根据成组t检验分析结果表明,目前中国4个植胶区的2种橡胶炭疽病菌对咪鲜胺敏感性无明显差异。除了来自海南和云南地区的尖孢炭疽菌有显著性差异外,其他来自不同省份的胶孢炭疽菌和尖孢炭疽菌对咪鲜胺敏感性均无明显差异。研究显示中国橡胶炭疽菌对咪鲜胺仍具有较高的敏感性,但菌株间敏感性有一定的差异,存在一定的潜在抗性风险。     

高温胁迫下蝴蝶豆的生理响应和耐热性评价

以自然高温胁迫下的11份蝴蝶豆为材料,研究叶片厚度、叶绿素值、叶片含水量、电导率值和丙二醛(MDA)含量等外观和生理指标与对照的差异,隶属函数分析结果表明:在高温胁迫下,材料C4、C6、C11的生长表现较好,在叶绿素含量、质膜透性、叶片含水量、MDA含量中的综合反应均较好,相比其它8个材料具有较好的相对耐高温特性,C1和C5的综合反应较弱,为热敏材料.     

Effect of CHOP expression knock-down on apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells

AIM:To study the effect of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) on the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial HK2 cells. METHODS:The serum mRNA levels of CHOP in the patients with acute kidney injury and healthy controls were detected by qPCR. In vitro, renal tubular epithelial HK2 cells were divided into control group, negative group (transfected with negative control siRNA), si-CHOP group (transfected with CHOP siRNA), and induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). The viability of the cells was measured by MTT assay, and the apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein levels of nuclear antigen Ki-67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:Compared with the healthy controls, the serum mRNA levels of CHOP in the patients with acute kidney injury were increased significantly (P<0.05). Transfection with CHOP siRNA significantly decreased the expression of CHOP in the renal tubular epithelial HK2 cells (P<0.05). Knock-down of CHOP expression by siRNA significantly increased the viability of renal tubular epithelial HK2 cells (P<0.05), decreased the apoptotic rate (P<0.05), increased the expression of Ki-67 and PCNA (P<0.05), and down-regulated the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:The serum mRNA levels of CHOP were increased in the patients with acute kidney injury. Knock-down of CHOP expression inhibits the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells by regulating the expression of proliferation-and apoptosis-related proteins.     

Role of cytokeratin 8 on changes of intestinal epithelial permeability induced by corticotropin-releasing factor

AIM: To investigate the role of cytokeratin 8 (CK8) on the change of intercellular permeability of intestinal epithelial cells induced by corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). METHODS: The expression levels of CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1) and CRFR2 on human colon adenocarcinoma HT29 cell surface were determined by immunofluorescence staining. After treatment with 100 nmol/L CRF for 72 h, the translocation of FITC-labelled dextran was measured in a Transwell chamber. The structural changes of tight junctions were observed under transmission electron microscope. The expression levels of CK8, and tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin were determined by Western blot. The activity of protein kinase C (PKC) was detected by ELISA. Furthermore, the effects of CRF on intestinal epithelial permeability were examined in CK8-silencing HT29 cells, which were constructed by infection with sh-CK8 lentivirus. RESULTS: CRF treatment increased the permeability of FITC-labelled dextran (P<0.05), caused the opening of tight junctions, and induced increased fluorescence intensity of CK8. The expression levels of occludin and ZO-1 were down-regulated (P<0.05). PKC activity was decreased at 1 h after CRF treatment (P<0.05). CRF-induced increase in the permeability and down-regulation of occludin were not blocked by CK8 silencing. Nevertheless,CK8 silencing blocked the effects of CRF regarding the decrease in the expression levels of ZO-1 and the increase in PKC activity (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CK8 may be involved in CRF-induced increase in intestinal epithelial permeability by inhibiting the activity of PKC, and there may be other signaling pathways involved.     

FAM3C activates Akt to promote viability of oral squamous-cell carcinoma cells

AIM: To investigate the expression and roles of family with sequence similarity 3, member C (FAM3C) in oral squamous-cell carcinoma cells. METHODS: The mRNA and protein expression levels of FAM3C in dysplastic oral keratinocyte (DOK) and oral squamous-cell carcinoma WSU-HN6 cells were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The WSU-HN6 cells were treated with siFAM3C or FAM3C antibody. After 24, 48 and 72 h, the viability of WSU-HN6 cells was measured by CCK-8 assay, and the activation of protein kinase B (Akt) was detected by Western blot. Adenovirus was used to mediate over-expression of FAM3C in the DOK cells. The DOK cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay after adenovirus infection for 24, 48 and 72 h, and the activation of Akt was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the DOK cells, the mRNA and protein levels of FAM3C were significantly increased in the WSU-HN6 cells (P<0.05). The viability of WSU-HN6 cells transfected with siFAM3C was significantly inhibited at 48 h and 72 h (P<0.05). siFAM3C treatment inhibited the activation of Akt (P<0.05). FAM3C antibody treatment also suppressed the viability of the WSU-HN6 cells at 48 h and 72 h and the activation of Akt (P<0.05). Over-expression of FAM3C in the DOK cells promoted the cell viability at 48 h and 72 h and activated Akt (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: FAM3C might promote oral squamous-cell carcinoma cell growth by activating Akt.     

Effects of DHRS3 in C2C12 Myoblast Differentiation and Mouse Skeletal Muscle Injury

Myoblast differentiation is an essential process during skeletal muscle development. C2 C12 myoblast is a commonly used experimental model to study muscle cell differentiation in vitro. Dehydrogenase/reductase(SDR family) member 3(DHRS3) is a highly conserved member in short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily and has been shown to be involved in the metabolism of retinol. Previous experimental results showed that the expression of DHRS3 increased significantly during the differentiation of myoblasts differentiation. However, the effect of DHRS3 on mouse muscle cell differentiation was unclear. The objective of current study was to determine if DHRS3 affected muscle cell differentiation, and if DHRS3 was involved in muscle regeneration. Protein expression was determined by western blot and immunofluorescence analysis. The activation and inhibition of DHRS3 increased and decreased C2 C12 myoblast differentiation respectively, which indicated that DHRS3 could affect C2 C12 myoblast differentiation. DHRS3 expression was significantly changed during muscle regeneration, with the regeneration of muscle injury, the expression of DHRS3 tended to increase first and then decrease. It suggested that DHRS3 might be involved in muscle regeneration. In summary, this study confirmed the involvement of DHRS3 in C2 C12 myoblast differentiation and mouse skeletal muscle regeneration and provided a theoretical basis for further elucidating the molecular mechanism of muscle development.