Effects of caloric overload before caloric restriction in the murine heart.

The beneficial effects of caloric restriction (CR) against cardiac aging and for prevention of cardiovascular diseases are numerous. However, to our knowledge, there is no scientific evidence about how a high-calorie diet (HCD) background influences the mechanisms underlying CR in whole heart tissue (WHT) in experimental murine models. In the current study, CR-treated mice with different alimentary backgrounds were subjected to transthoracic echocardiographic measurements.

The consequences of a high-calorie diet background before calorie restriction on skeletal muscles in a mouse model.

The beneficial effects of calorie restriction (CR) are numerous. However, there is no scientific evidence about how a high-calorie diet (HCD) background influences the mechanisms underlying CR on skeletal muscles in an experimental mouse model. Herein we present empirical evidence showing significant interactions between HCD (4 months) and CR (3 months).

Cynatratoside-C from Cynanchum atratum displays anti-inflammatory effect via suppressing TLR4 mediated NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways in LPS-induced mastitis in mice.

The present study was conducted to isolate anti-inflammatory compound from Cynanchum atratum and investigate the molecular mechanisms of active compound against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mastitis in mice. Bioassay-guided fractionations and isolation (via ex vivo tests) of compounds with anti-inflammatory activity were performed on roots of C. atratum yielding a pure bioactive compound: Cynatratoside-C, identified by comparing spectral data (EI-MS, H NMR and C NMR) with literature values.

Investigation of antiviral state mediated by interferon-inducible transmembrane protein 1 induced by H9N2 virus and inactivated viral particle in human endothelial cells.

Background: Endothelial cells are believed to play an important role in response to virus infection. Our previous microarray analysis showed that H9N2 virus infection and inactivated viral particle inoculation increased the expression of interferon-inducible transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In present study, we deeply investigated the expression patterns of IFITM1 and IFITM1-mediated antiviral response induced by H9N2 virus infection and inactivated viral particle inoculation in HUVECs.

Effects of aqueous extracts of Taraxacum Officinale on expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and intracellular adhesion molecule 1 in LPS-stimulated RMMVECs.

Background: Mastitis gives rise to big financial burden to farm industry (mainly dairy production) and public health. Its incidence is currently high and therefore, highly effective treatments for therapy, especially with natural products are required. Taraxacum officinale has been reported to use for anti-inflammation.

IFN-γ induces IFN-α and IFN-β expressions in cultured rat intestinal mucosa microvascular endothelial cells.

Although researchers have recently begun to pay more attention to the immunological characteristics of microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs), there are no reports on whether activation of MVECs by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) exerts any influence on the expressions of IFN-α/β. In the present study, we examined the influence of IFN-γ on the expressions of IFN-α/β in rat intestinal mucous MVECs (RIMMVECs). Different concentrations of IFN-γ were used to stimulate cultured RIMMVECs in vitro, and the cells and cell supernatants were collected at different time intervals.

Effects of rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline on nitric oxide and endothelin-1 secretion from RIMECs induced by Listeriolysin O in vitro.

To investigate the effects of Listeriolysin O (LLO) on morphology, nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) release by rat intestinal microvascular endothelial cells (RIMECs). We aimed to elucidate a preliminary therapeutic mechanism of action of rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline (active components of Uncaria rhynchophylla) on listeriosis treatment and how they regulate the LLO-induced parasecretion of vasoactive agents in RIMECs. A RIMECs injury model was established by stimulating the cells with different concentrations of LLO.

Chinese herbal medicinal ingredients inhibit secretion of IL-6, IL-8, E-selectin and TXB2 in LPS-induced rat intestinal microvascular endothelial cells.

The aim of the research was to investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Pulsatillae Decoction (PD), the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, E-selectin, and thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)) secreted by cultured rat intestinal microvascular endothelial cells (RIMECs) were determined after treatment with its active ingredients, namely anemoside B4, anemonin, berberine, jatrorrhizine, palmatine, aesculin, and esculetin. RIMECs were challenged with 1 microg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 3 h, and then treated with each of the seven ingredients at three concentrations (1, 5 and 10 microg/mL) for 24 h. The results revealed that anemonin, aesculin and esculetin inhibited the production of IL-6, aesculin and esculetin inhibited the secretion of IL-8, anemoside B4, berberine and jatrorrhizine downregulated E-selectin expression, anemonin, berberine, jatrorrhizine and palmatine decreased the content of TXB(2).

Pulsatilla decoction and its active ingredients inhibit secretion of NO, ET-1, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 alpha in LPS-induced rat intestinal microvascular endothelial cells.

To investigate the pharmacological mechanism of the traditional Chinese medicine, Pulsatilla decoction (PD), the levels of nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) secreted by cultured rat intestinal microvascular endothelial cells (RIMECs) were determined after treatment with PD and its seven active ingredients, namely anemoside B(4), anemonin, berberine, jatrorrhizine, palmatine, aesculin, and esculetin. RIMECs were challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 1 microg ml(-1) for 3 h and then treated with PD at 1, 5, and 10 mg ml(-1) and its seven ingredients at 1, 5, and 10 microg ml(-1) for 21 h, respectively. The results revealed that PD, anemonin, berberine, and esculetin inhibited the production of NO; PD, anemonin, and esculetin inhibited the secretion of ET-1; PD, anemoside B(4), berberine, jatrorrhizine, and aesculin downregulated TNF-alpha expression; PD, anemoside B(4), berberine, and palmatine decreased the content of IL-1 alpha.

[Effect of berberine on nitric oxide release of rat intestinal mucous microvascular endothelial cells].

Objective: To study the effect of berberine on the release of nitric oxide (NO) by rat intestinal mucous microvascular endothelial cells (RIMECs) cultured in vitro for exploring the pharmacological mechanism of berberine in treating intestinal disease.

Methods: Cultured RIMECs in vitro were identified adopting immunofluorescent stain with factor VIII-related antigen. NO level in the supernatant of normal cell culture or cell culture treated with different concentrations of berberine was detected with colorimetry at the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th h and compared.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on expression of IFN-gamma-like immunoreactive substance in spinal cord of the rat ].

Objective: To observe effect of electroacupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36) on expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-like immunoreactive substance in spinal cord of the rat and to probe the mechanism.

Methods: The IFN-gamma-like immunoreactive positive cell number in spinal cord of the rat was investigated with immunohistochemical SP method and microscopy.

Results: After electroacupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36), IFN-gamma-like immunoreactive positive cell number in the spinal cord of the rat with electroacupuncture plus immunosuppression did not significantly change (P > 0.

Effect of anemonin on NO, ET-1 and ICAM-1 production in rat intestinal microvascular endothelial cells.

Anemonin (the dilactone of cyclobutane-1, 2-diol-1, 2-diacrylic acid) was isolated from the root of Pulsatilla chinensis Regel. Pulsatilla chinensis Regel has been used in the treatment of enteritis in China for years. However, only little was known about the mechanism underlying its anti-inflammatory effects.