Up-regulation of miR-181a attenuates releases of CSE-induced pro-inflammatory factors and expression of collagen IV,fibronectin and α-SMA in human bronchial epithelial cells

AIM: To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of microRNA-181a (miR-181a) on cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced the productions of pro-inflammatory factors and the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). METHODS: CSE-induced miR-181a expression was detected by RT-qPCR in the HBECs. After tansfected with miR-181a mimic, the releases of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were measured by ELISA, the protein expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA was determined by Western blot. The activation of NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway was also evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS: CSE increased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β1 and the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA, and decreased the expression of miR-181a in the HBECs (P<0.05). However, transfected with miR-181a mimic partially prevented the releases of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β1, and inhibited the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA (P<0.05). Additionally, the activation of NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3 evoked by CSE was attenuated after transfected with miR-181a mimic. CONCLUSION: Up-regulation of miR-181a prevents the releases of CSE-induced pro-inflammatory factors and expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA in the HBECs, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway.     

Effects of capsaicin on cognitive impairment and mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes in rats with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion

AIM:To observe the effects of capsaicin on cognitive impairment and mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs) of hippocampal CA1 area in the rats with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH), and to investigate the underlying molecule mechanism of cognitive defects induced by ischemia. METHODS:Healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats(n=48) were randomly divided into sham operation (sham) group,CCH model (CCH) group, capsaicin group,and solvent group, 12 rats in each group. Capsaicin at 2.5 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected twice a week for 4 weeks, starting on the 7th day after surgery. The rats in solvent group were given the same amount of solvent at the same time and under the same conditions. Morris water maze, object recognition test and open field test were conducted to analyze the cognitive related behavior performance on the 4th week after surgery. The changes of MAMs in the hippocampal CA1 region were observed under transmission electron microscope, the co-localization of the MAMs was observed by immunofluorescence double-labeling, and the expression of mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) in the hippocampal tissue was determined by Western blot.RESULTS:Four weeks after the operation, the behavior tests showed that the cognitive function of CCH rats was impaired compared with sham operation group. Compared with solvent group, spatial learning and memory in capsaicin group was improved significantly. The results of transmission electron microscope and confocal microscope showed that the distance of MAMs in the hippocampal CA1 area of CCH rats was increased compared with sham operation group, and the co-localization of the contacts was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with solvent group, the correlation between the mitochondria and ER in capsaicin group was increased (P<0.05). The protein level of Mfn2 in CCH group was significantly lower than that in sham group (P<0.05). Compared with solvent group, the protein level of Mfn2 in capsaicin group was higher (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:CCH rats showed decreased cognitive function and loosen MAMs. Capsaicin improves the cognitive behavior of CCH rats by up-regulation of MAMs.     

Cigarette dust particles induced lung function injury of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in mice

AIM: To investigate the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive disease (COPD) in mice by using nasal drip of cigarette dust particles (DSP) induced pulmonary function damage model.METHODS: BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, LPS 100 mg/L group, DSP 0.75 mL/L group, DSP 1.5 mL/L group and DSP 3 mL/L group for 30 days. The method of nasal drip was used for 30 days to establish the COPD model. Rrs, Ers, Crs, Est, Cst, P-3/8Rn, P-3/8G and P-3/8H were measured for evaluating lung function of the mice in each group by the method of FlexiVent. The effect on the increase of airway resistance induced by methacholine (Mach) was determined using main bronchial rings by Myograph method. The HE, Masson and Resorcinol fuchsin staining of mouse tracheas and lung tissues were conducted. RESULTS: Continuous nasal drip with DSP for 30 days increased Rrs, Ers, Est, P-3/8Rn and decreased Crs, Cst, P-3/8G and P-3/8H in the mice. DSP significantly shifted the dose-effect curve of tracheal contraction induced by Mach to the left, increased the sensitivity of the airway to Mach, and significantly increased the maximal contractile airway effect of Mach. Exposure to DSP caused fibrosis of airway subepithelial, deposition of collagen in the airway basement membrane under the reticular plate, induced reticular plate thickening, pulmonary bronchial lumen serious deformation, and the inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung of mice. Significantly increased alveolar wall muscle fibers and collagen fibers were also observed. CONCLUSION: The lung function and pathomorphological changes of COPD mice induced by 30 days nasal drip of cigarette dust particles were similar to those of human COPD.     

Celecoxib inhibits viability,induces apoptosis and inhibits autophagy in acute myeloid leukemia cell lines HL-60 and HL-60A

AIM: To investigate the effects of celecoxib on viability, apoptosis and autophagy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines HL-60 and HL-60A. METHODS: The HL-60 cells and HL-60A cells were cultured with various concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 μmol/L) of celecoxib. The inhibitory effect of celecoxib on the cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. Apoptosis was analyzed by Annexin-V/PI staining. Apoptosis-related and autophagy-related proteins were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: IC₅₀ of celecoxib were 49.4 μmol/L, 32.0 μmol/L and 25.1 μmol/L for HL-60 cells treated with celecoxib for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, respectively. For HL-60A cells, the corresponding IC₅₀ were 69.1 μmol/L, 42.5 μmol/L and 29.6 μmol/L, respectively. The results of flow cytometry analysis showed the proportions of Annexin-Ⅴ⁺ PI^-, Annexin-Ⅴ⁺ PI⁺ and Annexin-Ⅴ^-PI⁺ cells were increased in the HL-60 cells, and those of Annexin-Ⅴ⁺PI^- and Annexin-Ⅴ⁺ PI⁺ cells were increased in the HL-60A cells treated with celecoxib for 24 h. After treated with celecoxib, the induction of apoptosis was observed, the apoptosis-related proteins cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP were upregulated, the autophagy-related proteins LC3 II and P62 were both increased, and mTOR, p-mTOR, 4-EBP and p-4-EBP were not changed, indicating that celecoxib inhibited autophagy in the AML cells without the mTOR pathway involvement. CONCLUSION: Celecoxib inhibits the viability of HL-60 cells and HL-60A cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner by its effects of inducing apoptosis and necrosis. Celecoxib inhibits mTOR-independent autophagy in AML cells, indicating a possible way of using celecoxib for enhancing the antitumor activity of therapeutic agents to induce cytoprotective autophagy in the AML cells.     

Identification and establishment of sorting method for isolating CD11b+ myeloid cells in human hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer

AIM: To establish a method for obtaining specific cells in solid tumor tissue by sorting of CD11b⁺ myeloid cells in hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.METHODS: Tumor tissues were prepared into single cell suspension by mechanical method combined with enzyme digestion, and then the CD11b⁺ myeloid cells were isolated by flow cytometry. The sorted cells were identified by immunocytochemistry. The viability and morphologiy of the sorted cells were evaluated by Giemsa and Typan blue staining. The cell purity was evaluated by flow cytometry.RESULTS: Sufficient numbers of CD11b⁺ cells with high purity were isolated by sorting with flow cytometry from the single cell suspension prepared by mechanical and enzyme digestion. The purity of the cells was confirmed by statistical analysis (P<0.05). The positive rates of the cells before and after sorting were significantly different (P<0.01). The positive cells were verified by immunocytochemical method. Meanwhile, the sorted cells had complete morphology and good activity.CONCLUSION: The CD11b⁺ myeloid cells in solid tumor tissue can be isolated by flow cytometry from the machine-enzyme digestion suspension with high purity, good activity and complete morphology.     

Preliminary study of patients with chronic mountain sickness by GC-TOF-MS based serum metabolomics analysis

AIM: To evaluate specific metabolomics profiles in the serum of patients with chronic mountain sickness (CMS) and to explore the potential metabolic biomarkers in the native Tibetans living on the Qinghai-Tibet Pla-teau.METHODS: A gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) approach as a metabolomics technique was used to evaluate metabolic differences. The native Tibetan CMS patients (n=10) and healthy Tibetan controls (n=10) were enrolled from YuShu in Qinghai province in this study. The serum samples were collected and analyzed by GC-TOF-MS coupled with a series of multivariate statistical analyses such as principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA).RESULTS: The intergroup differences between CMS patients and control subjects have been observed. A list of differential metabolites and several top altered metabolic pathways have been identified. The levels of fumaric acid, an intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and inosine were highly upregulated in the CMS patients, suggesting a greater effort to hypoxic adaptation in high elevation area. Other differential metabolites, such as methyl phosphate, 2-ketoadipate, lyxose and phytanic acid were also identified. Importantly, the differential metabolites possessed higher area under the ROC curve (AUC) values, indicating an excellent clinical ability for the prediction of CMS. Increased levels of amino acids (isoleucine, glycine, serine, L-cysteine, citrulline and trimethyllysine) were detected in CMS group, yet significantly decreased levels of sulfuric acid, oxamic acid, lyxose and glutamine were also detected in CMS group than those in control group. At the same time, the levels of ribose and glucose-1-phosphate were markedly elevated in CMS group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The metabolic activities are significantly altered in the serum of CMS patients. High altitude hypoxia may act on the disturbed glucose metabolism and amino acid metabolism in part of the Tibetan triggered by CMS.     

牛白血病的诊断与预防

对牛白血病的病原、流行特点、病理变化、临床症状、诊断、防治措施等方面进行了介绍,旨在为该病的防治提供参考。     

慢性肾功能不全患者感染的临床特点及其相关因素分析

目的:探讨慢性肾功能不全患者感染的临床特点及其相关因素.方法:对600例次慢性肾功能不全患者(血液透析180例次,腹膜透析110例次,非透析患者310例次)的住院资料进行回顾性分析,对感染部位、病原体、原发病因、肾功能状态及营养状况进行分析.结果:①慢性肾功能不全代偿期和失代偿期患者感染率(26.6%)明显低于肾功能衰竭期和尿毒症期的患者(46.8%)(P＜0.05);原发病中糖尿病感染率最高;②细菌培养328例次,其中阳性268例次,以革兰氏阴性杆菌常见(46.3%);③感染组中血红蛋白、血清白蛋白显著低于非感染组(P＜0.05);④血液透析患者的感染部位主要为肺部(46.4%)和静脉导管(21.3%),腹膜透析患者感染部位主要为腹腔;⑤血液透析和腹膜透析患者总体感染率差异无显著性(P＞0.05),但是血液透析患者乙型肝炎病毒携带率(18.3%)和丙型肝炎病毒阳性率(8.7%)均高于腹膜透析患者(P＜0.05),而腹膜透析患者腹腔真菌感染率却明显高于血液透析患者(P＜0.05).结论:慢性肾功能不全患者感染率较高,糖尿病感染多见.贫血、低蛋白血症、肾功能损害的严重程度、高龄等因素均可能增加慢性肾功能不全患者感染的机会.血液透析和腹膜透析患者总体感染率差异无显著,但血液透析患者乙型肝炎病毒携带率和丙型肝炎病毒阳性率均显著高于腹膜透析患者,而腹膜透析患者腹腔真菌感染率却明显高于血液透析患者.     

Comparison of 2 methods for establishing rat model of chronic osmotic diarrhea

AIM: To compare 2 different rat models of chronic osmotic diarrhea with the lactose enrichment and magnesium citrate methods. METHODS: The SD rats (n=31) were randomly divided into lactose enrichment diarrhea group (Lac group, 12 rats), magnesium citrate diarrhea group (Mg group, 12 rats) and normal control group (Con group, 7 rats). The rats in Lac group were fed with a lactose enrichment diet and freely drank water. The rats in Mg group were fed with a standard diet and drank magnesium citrate solution. The Con group was fed with a standard diet and normal water. The general conditions and the characteristics of stool were observed every day. The grip strength and motor activity of the rats were measured after diarrhea for 14 d. The trans-epithelial resistance of the colonic mucosa was detected by Ussing chamber. The pathological changes of villus height and villus surface area in the intestine were observed with hemato-xylin-eosin staining. RESULTS: The rats in both diarrhea groups displayed the clinical manifestations of slow increase in body weight, spare and dull hair, lacking in strength and physical inactivity. The grip strength and motor activity of the rats in both diarrhea groups decreased significantly compared with Con group. The diarrhea rate and diarrhea index of the rats in the 2 diarrhea groups were both significantly higher than those in Con group (P<0.05). Moreover, the diarrhea index in Lac group was significantly increased compared with Mg group. The thickness of intestinal mucosa in Lac group was thinner than that in Mg group at the same time. However, the damage of intestinal villi in Mg group was more serious than that in Lac group.CONCLUSION: Both methods of lactose enrichment-induced diarrhea and magnesium citrate-induced diarrhea meet the requirement of chronic osmotic diarrhea, but there are different advantages between the diarrhea models. Therefore, we should select the correct diarrhea model to meet different aims of the experiments.     

Evaluation of cystatin C as an endogenous marker of glomerular filtration rate in dogs

Cystatin C is a cysteine protease inhibitor produced by all nucleated cells. It is freely filtered by the glomerulus and is unaffected by nonrenal factors such as inflammation and gender. Because of greater sensitivity and specificity, cystatin C has been proposed to replace creatinine as a marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in humans. The aims of this study were to validate an automated assay in canine plasma and to evaluate the usefulness of cystatin C as a marker of GFR in dogs. Western blotting was used to demonstrate cross-reactivity of an anti-human cystatin C antibody. An immunoturbidimetric assay was used to detect cystatin C in 25 clinically healthy dogs and 25 dogs with renal failure. Mean cystatin C concentration in the healthy dogs and the dogs with renal failure was 1.08 +/- 0.16 mg/L and 4.37 +/- 1.79 mg/L respectively. Intra- and interassay variability was <5%. The assay was linear (r = .974) between 0.14 and 7.53 mg/L. Both cystatin C and creatinine concentrations were measured in banked, frozen serum from 20 remnant kidney model dogs and 10 volume-depleted dogs for which GFR measurements by exogenous creatinine clearance had been determined previously. In the remnant kidney model, cystatin C was better correlated with GFR than creatinine (r = .79 versus .54) but was less well correlated with GFR in volume-depleted dogs (r = .54 versus .95). GFR measurements were repeated in the remnant kidney model dogs 60 days after initial GFR measurements. At this time, cystatin C and creatinine concentrations correlated equally well with GFR (r = .891 versus .894, respectively). Cystatin C concentration is a reasonable alternative to creatinine for screening dogs with decreased GFR due to chronic renal failure.