Comparative lipid and lipoprotein metabolism

This review summarizes a number of recent reports in several areas of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. Absorption of dietary lipids, cholesterol synthesis, and biliary cholesterol metabolism are mentioned only briefly to be complete. Comparative aspects of lipoprotein metabolism, however, are detailed in an effort to integrate the myriad metabolic events which characterize these important lipid transport particles. Where comparative information is known, those aspects of lipoprotein metabolism that may be protective against atherogenesis in certain mammalian species are also described. Efforts to understand atherogenic resistance comparatively in animals lends a better understanding of the metabolic events leading to coronary artery disease in humans. They also provide an important basis for understanding lipid metabolism in numerous veterinary species.     

摄入不同能量的围产期乳牛肝低密度脂蛋白受体mRNA丰度的比较

将30头健康、经产、处于围产期的黑白花乳牛随机分为3组，每组10头。从产前28d开始，低能量组乳牛饲喂《中国奶牛饲养标准（2000）》减少20％日粮（能量摄入80％），对照组乳牛饲喂《标准》日粮（能量摄入100％），高能量组乳牛饲喂《标准》增加20％日粮（能量摄入120％），产后各组乳牛均饲喂标准日粮。至产后第56d结束试验；采用内对照RT-PCR方法检测摄入不同能量的围产期乳牛肝活体组织低密度脂蛋白受体（LDLR）mRNA丰度。结果，不同能量组乳牛肝LDLR mRNA丰度产前至产后均呈现先升高后降低的趋势。100％和120％能量组肝LDLR mRNA丰度在产后14d达最大值，且产后均高于产前（产后56d除外，P〈0．01或P〈0．05）；而80％能量组产后1d即达到最大值，产前14d至产后14d，LDLR mRNA相对表达量显著高于100％和120％能量组；产后28～56d，120％能量组显著高于80％和100％能量组（P〈0．01）。表明围产期乳牛能量摄入水平对肝LDLR mRNA丰度有显著影响。     

一种使用新型润滑剂压制高密度磁体的方法

文章涉及一种磁体的制作方法，尤其是使用新型润滑剂模压制作高密度磁体的方法。包括造粒、模压固化等六个步骤。文章的方法生产制作高密度磁体，在压制过程中新型润滑剂能从固体变成粘性液体，并在文章方法作用下流动到阴模壁，既能润滑模壁，又能润滑磁粉颗粒，从而使磁粉颗粒间的空隙被压缩，使其运动并达到磁粉颗粒的最佳排列，有效地提高磁件毛坯密度以及保证磁件的密度均匀。不但成型压力大大减小，节约了能源，而且有效地保护了模具，使生产磁体的成本大大降低。     

金黄色葡菌球菌脂蛋白对M1型小鼠骨髓源巨噬细胞免疫作用的影响

本研究旨在阐明金黄色葡萄球菌脂蛋白对M1型小鼠骨髓源巨噬细胞免疫作用的影响，为金黄色葡萄球菌致病性研究提供理论参考。以金黄色葡萄球菌野生株SA113（WT SA113）和SA113 lgt：：ermB脂蛋白表达缺失菌株（SA113Δlgt株）体外感染M1型小鼠骨髓源巨噬细胞，分为3组：空白对照组、WT SA113感染组（MOI：3：1）、SA113Δlgt感染组（MOI：3：1）。采用ELISA法检测M1型小鼠骨髓源巨噬细胞中肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素1β（IL-1β）、趋化因子（RANTES）和白细胞介素10（IL-10）的水平，实时荧光定量PCR检测Toll样受体2（TLR2）、Toll样受体4（TLR4）和含NLR家族Pyrin域蛋白3（NLRP3）基因的表达，免疫荧光法检测脂蛋白对M1型小鼠骨髓源巨噬细胞吞噬金黄色葡萄球菌作用的影响。结果显示，与空白对照组相比，WT SA113感染组和SA113Δlgt感染组均可显著上调M1型小鼠骨髓源巨噬细胞中TNF-α、RANTES、IL-10分泌量以及WT SA113感染组TLR2、NLRP3基因表达水平（P<0.05），而TLR4基因表达量显著降低（P<0.05）；与WT SA113感染组相比，SA113Δlgt感染组M1型小鼠骨髓源巨噬细胞中TNF-α、IL-1β、RANTES、IL-10分泌量以及TLR2（12 h除外）、NLRP3基因表达水平显著降低（P<0.05）。免疫荧光结果显示，M1型巨噬细胞对SA113Δlgt株的吞噬作用显著低于对WT SA113株的吞噬作用（P<0.05）。综上，金黄色葡萄球菌的脂蛋白在M1型小鼠骨髓源巨噬细胞中主要通过激活TLR2和NLRP3受体，诱导细胞因子TNF-α、IL-1β、RANTES和IL-10的产生和释放。     

Minimally modified low-density lipoprotein up-regulates endothelin receptors in mouse mesenteric artery through p38 MAPK pathway

AIMTo investigate whether minimally modified low-density lipoprotein (mmLDL) affects the quantity and activity of endothelin （ET） type A (ET_A) and type B (ET_B) receptors in mouse mesenteric artery by activating p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inflammatory pathway. METHODSThe KM mice were divided into normal saline (NS) group (injection of NS via caudal vein), mmLDL group (injection of mmLDL via caudal vein), LDL group (injection of LDL via caudal vein), mmLDL+SB 203580 group (injection of mmLDL via caudal vein and intraperitoneal injection of p38 MAPK pathway specific inhibitor SB 203580) and mmLDL+DMSO group (injection of mmLDL via caudal vein and intraperitoneal injection of DMSO). Mesenteric artery ring segment vasoconstriction dose-response curves affected by sarafotoxin 6c (S6c) and ET-1 were recorded by the myography system. The mRNA levels of ET_B receptor, ET_A receptor and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by RT-qPCR. The protein levels of ET_B receptor, ET_A receptor, IL-6, p38 MAPK, p-p38 MAPK, NF-κB and p-NF-κB were determined by Western blot. The serum concentration of IL-6 was measured by ELISA. RESULTSThe contractile responses of the blood vessel segments to S6c and ET-1 were significantly increased by mmLDL (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of ET_A receptor, ET_B receptor, and IL-6 significantly increased (P<0.01). The protein levels of p-p38 MAPK and p-NF-κB were significantly increased (P<0.01). The serum level of IL-6 was significantly increased (P<0.01). These effects of mmLDL were inhibited by p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 203580. CONCLUSION mmLDL increses the serum concentration of IL-6, up-regulates the expression of IL-6, ET_A receptor and ET_B receptor in mouse mesenteric artery, and enhances the vasoconstriction function medi?ated by ET_A and ET_B receptors, which is related to the activation of p38 MAPK inflammatory pathway and downstream NF-κB pathway.     

Quantitative trait loci mapping for yield-related traits under low and high planting densities in maize (Zea mays)

Average maize yield per hectare has increased significantly because of the improvement in high-density tolerance, but little attention has been paid to the genetic mechanism of grain yield response to high planting density. Here, we used a population of 301 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross YE478 × 08–641 to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for 16 yield-related traits under two planting densities (57,000 and 114,000 plants per ha) across four environments. These yield-related traits responded differently to high-density stress. A total of 110 QTLs were observed for these traits: 33 QTLs only under low planting density, 50 QTLs under high planting density and 27 QTLs across both densities. Only two major QTLs, qCD6 and qWKEL2-2, were identified across low- and high-density treatments. Seven environmentally stable QTLs were also observed containing qED6, qWKEL3, qRN3-3, qRN7-2, qRN9-2 and qRN10 across both densities, as well as qRN9-1 under low density. In addition, 16 and eight pairs of loci with epistasis interaction (EPI) were detected under low and high planting densities, respectively. Additionally, nine and 17 loci showed QTL × environment interaction (QEI) under low- and high-density conditions, respectively. These interactions are of lesser importance than the main QTL effects. We also observed 26 pleiotropic QTL clusters, and the hotspot region 3.08 concentrated nine QTLs, suggesting its great importance for maize yield. These findings suggested that multiple minor QTLs, loci with EPI and QEI, pleiotropy and the complex network of “crosstalk” among them for yield-related traits were greatly influenced by plant density, which increases our understanding of the genetic mechanism of yield-related traits for high-density tolerance.     

Albumin overload aggravates kidney injury and renoprotective effect of simvastatin in adriamycin nephropathy mice

AIM: To investigate the aggravating effect of albumin overload on the kidney injury induced by lipid nephrotoxicity, and to observe the renoprotective effect of simvastatin (SIMV) on adriamycin nephropathy (ADR) mice.METHODS: SPF healthy male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, ADR group, ADR with bovine serum albumin (BSA) overload (ADR+BSA) group, and ADR with both BSA overload and SIMV treatment (ADR+BSA+SIMV) group. All mice were uninephrectomized under general anesthesia 2 weeks before setting up ADR model. ADR+BSA model started to be set up 4 weeks later. At the end of the 0th, 2nd, 6th, 10th and 14th weeks, 24 h urinary protein was evaluated. At the end of the 14th week, the serum biochemical indexes and the kidney pathological changes were observed, and glomerulosclerotic index (GSI) was also evaluated. The cholesterol in the kidney was measured by enzymic colorimetric method and oil red O staining. The expression of IL-1β, TGF-β1 and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) in the kidney tissues was determined by real-time PCR. The expression of IL-1β and IL-17 was measured by immunohistochemistry and the expression of IL-17 in the kidney was measured by ELISA.RESULTS: Compared with control group, the expression of IL-1β, TGF-β1, IL-17 and LDLr, and cholesterol content in the kidney and the GSI were all significantly increased in ADR group (P<0.05). Compared with ADR group, 24 h urinary protein, serum creatinine, the expression of IL-1β, IL-17 and LDLr, and cholesterol content in the kidney were all significantly increased in ADR+BSA group (P<0.05). Treatment with SIMV significantly decreased the expression of IL-1β, TGF-β1, IL-17 and LDLr. The accumulation of cholesterol in the kidney and the GSI were also decreased (all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Inflammation aggravates the lipid deposition and glomerular sclerosis by increasing the expression of LDLr in ADR mice. Albumin overload further accelerates the progressive kidney damage by regulating the expression of IL-1β, TGF-β1 and IL-17, which promotes the increase in LDLr. The beneficial effect of SIMV might be mediated by its anti-inflammatory effect.     

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.