Verapamil downregulates iron uptake and upregulates divalent metal transporter 1 expression in H9C2 cardiomyocytes.

Belgrade rats have a defect in divalent metal transport 1 (DMT1) with a reduced heart iron, indicating that DMT1 plays a physiological role in non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) uptake by cardiomyocytes. However, L-type voltage-dependent Ca channel (LVDCC) blockers were recently demonstrated to significantly reduce NTBI uptake by cardiomyocytes, implying that LVDCC plays a dominant role in NTBI uptake by cardiomyocytes under iron-overloaded conditions. These findings led us to hypothesize that the LVDCC blocker-induced reduction in NTBI uptake might result not only from the inhibition of LVDCC-mediated NTBI uptake but also from the suppression of DMT1-mediated NTBI uptake.

Nifedipine Increases Iron Content in WKPT-0293 Cl.2 Cells via Up-Regulating Iron Influx Proteins.

Nifedipine was reported to enhance urinary iron excretion in iron overloaded mice. However, it remains unknown how nifedipine stimulates urinary iron excretion in the kidney. We speculated that nifedipine might inhibit the TfR1/ DMT1 (transferrin receptor 1/divalent metal transporter1)-mediated iron uptake by proximal tubule cells in addition to blocking L-type Ca2+ channels, leading to an increase in iron in lumen-fluid and then urinary iron excretion.

Response of genes involved in lipid metabolism in rat epididymal white adipose tissue to different fasting conditions after long-term fructose consumption.

There has been much concern regarding the dietary fructose contributes to the development of metabolic syndrome. High-fructose diet changes the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism. Levels of a number of hepatic lipogenic enzymes are increased by a high-carbohydrate diet in fasted-refed model rats/mice.

(Z)-ligustilide increases ferroportin1 expression and ferritin content in ischemic SH-SY5Y cells.

The mechanisms involved in the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties of (Z)-ligustilide (LIG) are not fully elucidated. Based on the accumulated data, we hypothesized that LIG might be able to reduce ischemia/reperfusion-induced increase in brain iron by regulating expression of iron transport proteins. We therefore investigated the effects of LIG on iron uptake protein transferrin receptor 1, iron exporter protein ferroportin 1, iron storage protein ferritin light chain and also hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) in oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-treated SH-SY5Y cells, using Western blot analysis.

Effects of alpha-lipoic acid on expression of iron transport and storage proteins in BV-2 microglia cells.

Background: The antioxidant properties of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) are associated with its ability to reduce iron in cells and tissues, which is partly due to its inhibiting effect on iron uptake from transferrin and its promoting effect on iron deposition into ferritin. However, the relevant mechanisms are unknown.

Methods: We therefore investigated the effects of ALA on the expression of transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), ferroportin 1 (Fpn1) and ferritin in BV-2 microglia cells.

Long-term fructose consumption prolongs hepatic stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 activity independent of upstream regulation in rats.

Dietary fructose is considered a risk factor for metabolic disorders, such as fatty liver disease. However, the mechanism underlying the effects of fructose is not well characterized. We investigated the hepatic expression of key regulatory genes related to lipid metabolism following fructose feeding under well-defined conditions.

Effects of aspirin on expression of iron transport and storage proteins in BV-2 microglial cells.

In the light of recent studies, we hypothesized that aspirin might have the functions to regulate the expression of iron transport proteins and then affect cellular iron levels. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of aspirin on expression of iron uptake protein transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), iron release protein ferroportin 1 (Fpn1) and iron storage protein ferritin using Western blot analysis and on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-αlpha, interleukin (IL)-6, interleukin (IL)-10 and hepcidin using quantitative real-time PCR in BV-2 microglial cells treated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). We found that aspirin significantly down-regulated TfR1, while also up-regulated Fpn1 and ferritin expressions in BV-2 microglial cells in vitro.

The Efficacy of Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 in Addition to Standard Helicobacter pylori Eradication Treatment in Children.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 during Helicobacter pylori eradication in children.

Methods: One hundred ninety-four H. pylori positive children were randomized in two groups.

Angiotensin II inhibits iron uptake and release in cultured neurons.

Based on the well-confirmed roles of angiotensin II (ANGII) in iron transport of peripheral organs and cells, the causative link of excess brain iron with and the involvement of ANGII in neurodegenerative disorders, we speculated that ANGII might also have an effect on expression of iron transport proteins in the brain. In the present study, we investigated effects of ANGII on iron uptake and release using the radio-isotope methods as well as expression of cell iron transport proteins by Western blot analysis in cultured neurons. Our findings demonstrated for the first time that ANGII significantly reduced transferrin-bound iron and non-transferrin bound iron uptake and iron release as well as expression of two major iron uptake proteins transferrin receptor 1 and divalent metal transporter 1 and the key iron exporter ferroportin 1 in cultured neurons.

Reducing iron in the brain: a novel pharmacologic mechanism of huperzine A in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Huperzine A (HupA), a natural inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase derived from a plant, is a licensed anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) drug in China and a nutraceutical in the United States. In addition to acting as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, HupA possesses neuroprotective properties. However, the relevant mechanism is unknown.

Inflammatory bowel disease in Chinese children: a multicenter analysis over a decade from Shanghai.

Background: The purpose was to estimate the incidence and characteristics of childhood inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) during 2000-2010 in Shanghai, China.

Methods: IBD patients between the ages of 0 and 18 years old were identified by survey of computerized medical information. Relevant data were extracted from their corresponding medical records.

[Multi-disciplinary hybrid therapy for tracheoesophageal fistula in children: analysis of 4 cases].

Objective: To explore an innovative technique that is aided by multi-disciplinary hybrid approach in identification and treatment of tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) in children intraoperatively.

Method: From April 2008 to October 2011, 4 patients with isolated TEF were presented with 2 H-type fistulas and 2 recurrent TEF. For all the four cases, with the cooperation of the gastroenterologists, respiratory physician and surgeon, methylene blue was first injected into the trachea for detecting the dye in the esophagus by the gastroscopy.

Influence of Helicobacter pylori infection on ghrelin levels in children.

Aim: To compare ghrelin levels in plasma and gastric mucosa before and after Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) treatment in children with H. pylori-associated functional dyspepsia.

[Effects of vitamin A on the immune function of intestinal mucosa lymphocytes in mice].

Objective: To study the effects of vitamin A on the development of T lymphocytes in peripheral blood and small intestine and on the cytokine response of intestinal mucosa in mice.

Methods: Twenty young mice were randomly fed with forage containing vitamin A 250 or 4 IU/g (n=10 each). Three weeks later, the levels of CD4+ CD25+ T subsets in peripheral blood and intestinal mucosa were measured by flow cytometry.

[Value of the liver function test in differential diagnosis of infantile hepatitis syndrome and biliary atresia].

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the value of the liver function test in the differential diagnosis of infantile hepatitis syndrome (IHS) and biliary atresia (BA) by analyzing seven conventional serological markers in this test using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Methods: Serum levels of seven conventional serological markers: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB), conjugated bilirubin (CB) and serum albumin (ALB) were measured in 103 children with IHS and 60 children with BA. ROC curves were used to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, positive and predictive values and optimal cut-off.

[Molecular genetic analysis of 10 Chinese patients with glycogen storage disease type III].

Objective: Glycogen debranching enzyme (AGL) plays an important role in complete degradation of the glycogen, and has two independent catalytic activities, i.e., those of alpha-1, 4-glucanotransferase (EC 2.

[Relationship between the types of Helicobacter pylori strains and chronic upper gastrointestinal diseases in children].

Objective: To study the relationship of the types of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) strains with the classification and the severity of chronic gastro-duodenal diseases in children.

Methods: One hundred and fifteen children with chronic upper gastrointestinal symptoms who were diagnosed as H.