Hexarelin attenuates atherosclerosis via inhibiting LOX-1-NF-κB signaling pathway-mediated macrophage ox-LDL uptake in ApoE mice.

Growth hormone secretagogues (GHS) have been proved to exert protective effects on the cardiovascular system, while their potential beneficial effects on macrophages in atherosclerosis (AS) are rarely been clarified. This study aimed to demonstrate whether hexarelin, a synthetic peptidyl GHS, can suppress AS progression via regulating the function of macrophages. AS was induced by chronic (3 months) feeding with high lipid diet in ApoE mice.

Investigation of the key factors on 3-hydroxypropionic acid production with different recombinant strains.

3-Hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) is an important compound and precursor for a series of chemicals and polymeric materials. In this study, the 3-HP producing bacteria were constructed and studied for efficient synthesis of 3-HP. The results indicated that the instability of glycerol dehydratase (GDHt) affected the 3-HP production significantly, which was successfully solved by the expression of glycerol dehydratase reactivase (GdrB), with fivefold increase in 3-HP yield.

[Construction and identification of BKCaαsubunit expression plas-mid with double labeling of Flag and GFP].

Objective: This study aimed to construct a large conductance calcium activated potassium channel α (BKCa) subunit plasmid with two tags by the overlapping PCR technique to set up a steady base for future ion channel study.

Methods: Based on the existing coding BKCa channel α subunit expression plasmid pcDNA3.1-hSlo, we constructed a double-tag expression plasmid, namely, pcDNA3.

Activation of AMPA receptor promotes TNF-α release via the ROS-cSrc-NFκB signaling cascade in RAW264.7 macrophages.

The relationship between glutamate signaling and inflammation has not been well defined. This study aimed to investigate the role of AMPA receptor (AMPAR) in the expression and release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) from macrophages and the underlying mechanisms. A series of approaches, including confocal microscopy, immunofluorescency, flow cytometry, ELISA and Western blotting, were used to estimate the expression of AMPAR and downstream signaling molecules, TNF-α release and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the macrophage-like RAW264.

Tanshinone II-A sodium sulfonate (DS-201) enhances human BKCa channel activity by selectively targeting the pore-forming α subunit.

Aim: Tanshinone II-A sodium sulfonate (DS-201), a water-soluble derivative of Tanshinone II-A, has been found to induce vascular relaxation and activate BKCa channels. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanisms underlying the action of DS-201 on BKCa channels.

Methods: Human BKCa channels containing α subunit alone or α plus β1 subunits were expressed in HEK293 cells.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes impair Kv4.2/4.3 channel activities, delay membrane repolarization and induce bradyarrhythmias in the rat.

Purpose: The potential hazardous effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on cardiac electrophysiology are seldom evaluated. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of MWCNTs on the Kv4/Ito channel, action potential and heart rhythm and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: HEK293 cells were engineered to express Kv4.

Effect of blueberry on hepatic and immunological functions in mice.

Background: Conventional drugs used in the treatment and prevention of liver diseases often have side effects, therefore research into natural substances are of significance. This study examined the effects of blueberry on liver protection and cellular immune functions.

Methods: To determine the effects of blueberry on liver protective function, male mice were orally administered blueberry (0.

[Model establishment of liver fibrosis in oral arsenic solution exposed mice].

Objective: To discuss and compare the model establishment of liver fibrosis in oral arsenic solution exposed mice and mice with high-fat feedstuff.

Methods: A total of 240 mice were divided randomly into 6 groups: control group, sodium arsenite group, sodium arsenate group, high-fat feedstuff group, sodium arsenite group with high-fat feedstuff and sodium arsenate group with high-fat feedstuff with 40 mice each. Control group and high-fat feedstuff group (drinking tap water), sodium arsenite group and sodium arsenite group with high-fat feedstuff (drinking 300 mg/L iAs3+ water), sodium arsenate group and sodium arsenate group with high-fat feedstuff (drinking 300 mg/L iAs5+ water).

High dietary fat exacerbates arsenic-induced liver fibrosis in mice.

Many factors could potentially affect the process of arsenic-induced liver fibrosis. The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of high fat diet on arsenic-induced liver fibrosis and preneoplastic changes. Mice were given sodium arsenite (As3+, 200 ppm) or sodium arsenate (As5+, 200 ppm) in the drinking water for 10 months, and provided a normal diet or a diet containing 20% added fat.

[Chemical constituents of flavonoids from Apocynum venetum].

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of flavonoids from Apocynum venetum L.

Methods: The compounds from water extracts were isolated by HPD-100 MCI-gel, polyamide, silica and Sephadex LH-20. Their structrues were characterized by chemical methods and spectroscopic methods.

[Research into methylation of p16 gene in the patients suffering from coal-burnt arsenism in Xingren County Guizhou Province].

Objective: To probe into the situation and significance of p16 gene CPG island methylation in patients with arseniasis caused by coal-burning pollution.

Methods: DNA was extracted using the Phenol-Chloroform method from leukocytes of 51 patients suffered from coal-burnt arsenism and 52 healthy volunteers. The quantity of the DNA was determined by UV spectrophotometry.

Differential effects between maotai and ethanol on hepatic gene expression in mice: Possible role of metallothionein and heme oxygenase-1 induction by maotai.

Alcohol is a risk factor for liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. On the other hand, light alcoholic beverage consumption is believed to be beneficial because of the effects of both alcohol and nonalcoholic components of the beverage. Maotai is a commonly consumed beverage in China containing 53% alcohol.

In vivo effects of Chinese herbal recipe, Danshaohuaxian, on apoptosis and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells in hepatic fibrotic rats.

Aim: To investigate the effects of Danshaohuaxian (DSHX), a Chinese herbal recipe, on the apoptosis and cell cycles of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in rat hepatic fibrosis and its possible mechanisms.

Methods: Seventy-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group, hepatic fibrosis group, non-DSHX-treated group and DSHX-treated group. Except for the normal control group, rat hepatic fibrotic models were induced by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), drinking alcohol, giving diet of hyperlipid and hypoprotein for 8 wk.

Effects of Dan-Shao-Hua-Xian on the expression of collagen type I and III in rats with hepatic fibrosis.

Background: Hepatic fibrosis is the common pathological change in various chronic liver diseases, and its major cause is the imbalance between the production and degradation of the extracellular matrix, which is mainly composed of collagens. Dan-Shao-Hua-Xian (DSHX) capsule, a traditional Chinese herbal compound, has shown marked preventive effects on hepatic fibrosis in rats in our previous studies. The present study was designed to further investigate its therapeutic actions on hepatic fibrosis in rats and its possible mechanisms.

Effect of Maotai liquor on the liver: an experimental study.

Background: Epidemiology investigation showed that no worker drunk Maotai liquor for nearly 30 years died of hepatic diseases, and no obvious hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis were found in 99 workers who had drunk Maotai liquor for a long period by epidemiology investigation and needle biopsy. The same finding was detected in rats that were drunk by Maotai liquor continued for 56 days. This study was to investigate the effects of Maotai liquor on the liver and its mechanism of preventing hepatic fibrosis.

[An experimental study on the effect of Maotai liquor on the liver].

Objective: To explore the effect on liver and the mechanism of preventing hepatic fibrosis by drinking Kweichow Moutai liquor (Maotai).

Methods: (1) After ingested with Maotai for 56 days consecutively, the male SD rats were decollated for detecting metallothioneins and MDA content in liver tissues; (2) Culturing rat hepatic stellate cell (HSC) and human HSC in vitro, observing the effect of Maotai on HSC's proliferation and collagen synthesis; (3) After male SD rats were ingested with Maotai for 14 weeks consecutively, the livers were harvested for pathohistological examination.

Results: (1) Metallothioneins content in the liver of Maotai-induced rats increased by 22 folds, the production of hepatic lipid peroxide, MDA was significantly decreased (P < 0.

Epidemiological and histopathological study of relevance of Guizhou Maotai liquor and liver diseases.

Aim: To explore the relevance of Maotai liquor and liver diseases.

Methods: Epidemiological study was conducted on groups of subjects, each consisting of 3 subjects from the Maotai liquor group consisting of 99 individuals and one from the non-alcoholic control group consisting of 33 individuals. Liver biopsy was performed on 23 volunteers from Guizhou Maotai Distillery who had a constant and long history of drinking Maotai liquor.

Effect of Maotai liquor in inducing metallothioneins and on hepatic stellate cells.

Aim: To explore the possible mechanism why drinking Maotai liquor dose not cause hepatic fibrosis.

Methods: After being fed with Maotai for 56 days consecutively, the male SD rats were decollated for detecting the biological indexes, and the livers were harvested to examine the liver indexes and the level of hepatic metallothioneins (MT). Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) proliferation and collagen generation were also observed.