Quantitative assessment of muscle mass and gene expression analysis in dogs with glucocorticoid-induced muscle atrophy

The present study aimed to quantitatively evaluate muscle mass and gene expression in dogs with glucocorticoid-induced muscle atrophy. Five healthy beagles received oral prednisolone for 4 weeks (1 mg/kg/day), and muscle mass was then evaluated via computed tomography. Histological and gene expression analyses were performed using biopsy samples from the biceps femoris before and after prednisolone administration. The cross-sectional area of the third lumbar paraspinal and mid-femoral muscles significantly decreased after glucocorticoid administration (from 27.5 ± 1.9 to 22.6 ± 2.0 cm² and from 55.1 ± 4.7 to 50.7 ± 4.1 cm², respectively; P<0.01). The fast- and slow-twitch muscle fibers were both atrophied (from 2,779 ± 369 to 1,581 ± 207 μm² and from 2,871 ± 211 to 1,971 ± 169 μm², respectively; P<0.05). The expression of the growth factor receptor-bound protein 10 (GRB10) significantly increased after prednisolone administration (P<0.05). Because GRB10 suppresses insulin signaling and the subsequent mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 activity, increased expression of GRB10 may have resulted in a decrease in protein anabolism. Taken together, 1 mg/kg/day oral prednisolone for 4 weeks induced significant muscle atrophy in dogs, and GRB10 might participate in the pathology of glucocorticoid-induced muscle atrophy in canines.     

VD在骨骼外系统中的作用及其研究进展

以往普遍认为VD的主要功能是调节Ca离子来促进骨骼的生长和预防佝偻病,但最近几年的研究发现,VD不仅在骨骼疾病中起到重要作用,还与多种骨骼外疾病密切相关,包括一些心血管疾病、代谢紊乱有关的疾病、恶性肿瘤、过敏性疾病、自身免疫性疾病、生殖方面影响等。目前对VD生物学功能的研究比较全面和深入,但大部分是针对人体和小鼠的基础研究,对诸如牛、猪、犬、猫等不同动物VD的骨骼外系统生物学功能的研究较少。在查阅相关文献的基础上,通过对VD在血压、免疫调节、内分泌、子宫内膜和骨骼肌方面的生物学功能和研究进展进行总结,为不同动物VD在骨骼外系统生物学功能的研究提供一定参考。     

利用单根肌纤维法分离和培养猪骨骼肌卫星细胞及其成肌诱导分化

建立单根肌纤维法体外培养猪骨骼肌卫星细胞的体系,了解其增殖和成肌特性。通过Ⅰ型胶原酶消化,从猪骨骼肌中分离完整的单根肌纤维并培养,用细胞免疫荧光鉴定肌纤维上的卫星细胞,随后对从单根肌纤维上游离出来的卫星细胞进行细胞免疫荧光染色,传代培养,成肌诱导分化和Western blot分析骨骼肌卫星细胞成肌特异性蛋白的表达。结果显示:分离并培养的单根肌纤维上附着有卵圆形的细胞,并随时间的推移,细胞缓慢向外迁移并增殖,卫星细胞特异性标志基因对盒转录因子(Paired protein box,Pax7)和成肌分化抗原(Myogenic Differentiation Antigen,MyoD)免疫荧光染色呈阳性,且阳性率达到90%以上。成肌诱导分化后,细胞开始汇合,并呈方向性生长,最终形成多核肌管,且成肌特异性标志基因Myogenin和myosin heavy chain(MyHC)表达呈阳性。MyoD蛋白高表达于增殖期,而Myogenin和MyHC在进入分化期才表达。该实验成功建立了猪骨骼肌单根肌纤维的体外培养方法并获得了高纯度的卫星细胞,为骨骼肌卫星细胞进行活体移植治疗相关疾病研究提供了实验材料。     

智能气动肌肉的静态驱动特性研

研究了形状记忆合金丝(SMA)编织网的主动变形及对气动肌肉静态驱动特性的影响.建立了SMA丝内应力与静态驱动力的平衡方程.针对升降温中SMA丝的相变,分析了马氏体和奥氏体体积比变化,建立了温度SMA收缩率模型,并应用到气动肌肉的收缩率、收缩力和刚密度特性计算中.Matlab仿真得到了SMA变形曲线和气动肌肉特性变化曲面.分析结果表明SMA变形存在迟滞,SMA主动伸缩使得编织角变化范围更广,刚密度变化更突出.SMA收缩率变大,气动肌肉收缩力增强.     

cDNA cloning and complete primary structures of myosin heavy chains from brushtooth lizardfish Saurida undosquamis and wanieso lizardfish S. wanieso fast skeletal muscles

ABSTRACT:   The complete cDNA sequences encoding predominant types of myosin heavy chain (MYH) in the fast skeletal muscle were determined for brushtooth lizardfish Saurida undosquamis and wanieso lizardfish S. wanieso , which are used as materials for preparing high-quality surimi-based products. The cDNA consisted of 5973 and 5987 bp, respectively, and both encompassed an open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 1936 amino acid residues. Brushtooth and wanieso lizardfish MYH showed the amino acid sequence identity of 92–93% to white croaker MYH, which was higher than that of 90% to walleye pollack MYH. The putative binding sites for ATP, actin, and regulatory and essential light chains in the subfragment-1 region of brushtooth lizardfish MYH exhibited a high identity with white croaker counterparts as well as the sequences of subfragment-2 and light meromyosin. In contrast, phylogenetic tree, constructed by the neighbor-joining method based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, revealed that the two lizardfish species formed a cluster with walleye pollack, which was paraphyletic with white croaker. Therefore, a good reputation for lizardfish and white croaker to have a high thermal-gel forming ability seemed to be reflected by MYH rather than biological similarity as revealed by the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene.     

Effect of xeroderma pigmentosum group D gene on proliferation of human umbilical arterial smooth muscle cells induced by Ox-LDL

AIM: To investigate the effects of xeroderma pigmentosum group D (XPD) gene on the proliferation of human umbilical arterial smooth muscle cells (HUASMCs) induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL). METHODS: The recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N2/XPD was transfected into HUASMCs by liposome. The cells were divided into blank control group, pEGFP-N2 group, pEGFP-N2/XPD group, Ox-LDL group, Ox-LDL+pEGFP-N2 group and Ox-LDL+pEGFP-N2/XPD group. The proliferation rate of the cells was detected by MTT and EdU assays. The apoptotic rate and cell cycle distribution were analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein levels of XPD, caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with blank control group, the expression of XPD was increased in pEGFP-N2/XPD group (P<0.05). According to the results of MTT and EdU assays, the cell proliferation in pEGFP-N2/XPD group was reduced compared with blank control group (P<0.05). Compared with Ox-LDL group, the cell proliferation in Ox-LDL+pEGFP-N2/XPD group was significantly inhibited (P<0.05). According to the results of flow cytometry, the cell proportion of S phase decreased and the G₀/G₁-phase cell proportion increased significantly in pEGFP-N2/XPD group and Ox-LDL+pEGFP-N2/XPD group compared with blank control group and Ox-LDL group, repectively (P<0.05). Compared with blank control group and Ox-LDL group, the protein level of Bcl-2 decreased and the protein levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 increased in pEGFP-N2/XPD group and Ox-LDL+pEGFP-N2/XPD group, respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: XPD inhibits the proliferation of HUASMCs and promotes their apoptosis, and reduces the promoting effect of Ox-LDL on the proliferation of HUVSMCs. XPD may be the target for treatment of atherosclerosis.     

Model construction of rat coronary artery smooth muscle cell endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by thapsigargin

AIM: To investigate the primary culture method for coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMCs), and to establish the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) model in CASMCs of SD rats. METHODS: CASMCs were cultured by tissue explant method. The morphological characteristics were observed under optical microscope. The marker proteins of CASMCs, including α-SMA and SM-MHC, were identified by immunofluorescence technique. The protein expression levels of BiP and CHOP, the marker molecules of ERS, were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: The spindle-shaped CASMCs climbed out from the edge of coronary artery tissues after 6 d, and formed the typical "hill and valley" growth pattern of CASMCs at 9~10 d. The result of immunofluorescence technique showed that α-SMA and SM-MHC were positively expressed. The results of Western blot showed that the protein expression of BiP and CHOP in TG (1 and 2 μmol/L) treatment groups was increased compared with control group. Compared with control group, the protein expression of BiP and CHOP was significantly increased after 1 μmol/L TG treatment for 24 and 48 h. CONCLUSION: CASMCs can be successfully cultured by tissue explant method. ERS model of CASMCs was established by 1 μmol/L TG treatment for 24 h.     

Farrerol inhibits nicotine-induced proliferation of pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells by enhancing Kv1.5 and Kv2.1 expression

AIM:To study the effect of farrerol (Far) on nicotine-induced proliferation of rat pulmonary smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), and further to explore its relationship with voltage-dependent potassium channels (Kv) 1.5 and Kv2.1. METHODS:Firstly, the effect of nicotine on the proliferation of PASMCs was detected by cell counting method, and the optimal concentration of nicotine was selected. Primary cultured PASMCs were randomly divided into 5 groups:normal control group, nicotine (1 μmol/L)group, nicotine (1 μmol/L) + Far (10^-6 mol/L, 10^-5 mol/L and 10^-4 mol/L) Far group. The activity of caspase-3 was measured by apoptosis kit, the cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay, the apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of Kv1.5 and Kv2.1, and apoptosis-related factors Bcl-2 and Bax at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot respectively. RESULTS:Nicotine at 1 μmol/L increased the number of PASMCs to the maximum extent (P<0.01). Nicotine at 1 μmol/L significantly reduced the caspase-3 activity and enhanced the cell viability of the PASMCs (P<0.01). Farrerol at 10^-6~10^-4 mol/L eliminated the effect of PASMCs induced by nicotine in a concentration dependent manner. Compared with control group, nicotine at 1 μmol/L significantly increased the proliferation and inhibited the apoptotic rate of rat PASMCs (P<0.01). The apoptotic rate of PASMCs in farrerol intervention group was significantly higher than that in nicotine group (P<0.01). Nicotine at 1 μmol/L significantly inhibited the expression of Kv1.5, Kv2.1 and Bax but increased the expression of Bcl-2 in PASMCs (P<0.01). Farrerol at 10^-5 mol/L obviously inhibited the effect of PASMCs induced by nicotine. CONCLUSION:Farrerol eliminates nicotine-induced inhibition of caspase-3 and Bax, and enhancement of Bcl-2 in PASMCs by enhancing Kv1.5 and Kv2.1 expression.     

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.     

日粮镁对肉仔鸡腿肌中活性氧产量的影响

本试验目的是研究日粮镁水平对肉仔鸡腿肌中活性氧(reactive oxygen species , ROS)产量的影响。96只AA肉仔鸡随机分配到低镁日粮组和对照组,每组6个重复,每个重复8只鸡,分别喂以镁含量1 .2 g/kg或2 .4 g/kg的日粮。与对照组相比,低镁组肉仔鸡腿肌中谷胱甘肽(glutathione , GSH)的含量降低了27 %(P<0 .01) ,丙二醛(malondialdehyde, MDA)的含量提高了40 %(P<0 .01)。采食低镁日粮的肉仔鸡腿肌匀浆液的ROS信号峰的高度显著高于对照组(P<0 .01)。对照组腿肌镁的浓度(30 .27 mg/kg)显著高于低镁组腿肌镁的浓度(27 .40 mg/kg)。腿肌中铁、钙的含量在两组之间差异不显著(P>0 .05)。与对照组相比,低镁组腿肌线粒体复合酶Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ的活性分别提高了28 %、23 %(P<0 .01)、35 %(P<0 .01)和30 %,线粒体复合酶Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ的活性与ROS产量之间呈显著的负相关关系(P<0 .05)。除C18∶2的含量显著高于对照组外,其他多不饱和脂肪酸含量在两组之间没有差异。本试验结果表明低镁日粮实质性地提高肉仔鸡腿肌中ROS的产量,低镁日粮降低腿肌中镁的浓度,诱导了线粒体呼吸链酶活性升高,从而提高了ROS的产量。