[Effects of SIRT1 in amygdala on chronic restraint stress-induced depression-like behaviors in rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) in amygdala on depression-like behaviors in rats using chronic restraint stress (CRS) as a model of depression.

Methods: Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups (=10 per group): control group (Control), chronic restraint stress group (CRS), CRS + fluoxetine-treated group (CRS + FLU), CRS + saline-treated group (CRS + NaCl), CRS + SIRT1-overexpression group (CRS + AAV-SIRT1), and CRS + empty vector group (CRS + AAV-EGFP). Except for the control group, rats from the other groups were exposed to chronic restraint stress for 21 days.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Kidney Diseases: Potential and Challenges.

Kidney disease (KD) is a life-threatening disease characterized by high morbidity and mortality in clinical settings, which can be caused by many reasons, and the incidence increases with age. However, supportive therapy and kidney transplantation still have limitations in alleviating KD progression. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown great potential in repairing injury through their multidirectional differentiation and self-renewal ability.

Trilobatin rescues cognitive impairment of Alzheimer's disease by targeting HMGB1 through mediating SIRT3/SOD2 signaling pathway.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with cognitive impairment that currently is uncurable. Previous study shows that trilobatin (TLB), a naturally occurring food additive, exerts neuroprotective effect in experimental models of AD. In the present study we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of TLB on experimental models of AD in vivo and in vitro.

Comparison of the effects of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide degradation on plasma betaine and choline levels.

Aim: The present study was to compare the effects of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide on the plasma methyl donors, choline and betaine.

Methods: Thirty adult subjects were randomly divided into three groups of equal size, and orally received purified water (C group), nicotinic acid (300 mg, NA group) or nicotinamide (300 mg, NM group). Plasma nicotinamide, N-methylnicotinamide, homocysteine, betaine and choline levels before and 1.

Preeclampsia and future cardiovascular risk: A point of view from the clearance of plasma vasoactive amines.

Objective: To summarize the reported evidence on the relationship between vasoactive amines and preeclampsia.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE/PubMed and EMBASE.

Results: The summarized results are as follows: (1) Menstruation can effectively eliminate vasoactive amines norepinephrine, serotonin and histamine.

Vitamin paradox in obesity: Deficiency or excess?

Since synthetic vitamins were used to fortify food and as supplements in the late 1930s, vitamin intake has significantly increased. This has been accompanied by an increased prevalence of obesity, a condition associated with diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, asthma and cancer. Paradoxically, obesity is often associated with low levels of fasting serum vitamins, such as folate and vitamin D.

BRCA1 as a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent metabolic switch in ovarian cancer.

Both hereditary factors (e.g., BRCA1) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent metabolic pathways are implicated in the initiation and progression of ovarian cancer.

A novel crosstalk between BRCA1 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 in breast cancer.

BRCA mutations are the main known hereditary factor for breast cancer. Notably, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) expression status plays a critical role in breast cancer progression and the clinical development of PARP1 inhibitors to treat BRCA-mutated breast cancer has advanced rapidly. However, dynamic crosstalk between BRCA1 and PARP1 remains largely unknown.

A novel crosstalk between BRCA1 and sirtuin 1 in ovarian cancer.

BRCA mutations are the main known hereditary factors for ovarian cancer. Notably, emerging evidence has led to considerable interest in the role of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) in ovarian cancer development. However, dynamic crosstalk between BRCA1 and SIRT1 is poorly understood.

An unusual piceatannol dimer from Rheum austral D. Don with antioxidant activity.

A novel dimer of piceatannol glycoside, named rheumaustralin (1) was isolated from the underground parts of the ethnomedicinal plant Rheum austral (Polygonaceae) collected from Tibet together with 17 known compounds, including rheumin (2), 2,5-dimethyl-7-hydroxychromone (3), 2,5-dimethylchromone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), 7-hydroxy-2-(2'-hydroxypropyl)-5-methylchromone (5), torachrysone (6) torachrysone-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), 4-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), amabiloside (9), N-trans-feruloyl tyramine (10), chrysophanol (11), aloe-emodin (12), emodin (13), physcion (14), physcion-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (15), emodin-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (16), D-catechin (17) and gallic acid (18). Their structures were determined by combined spectroscopic methods and by comparison of their spectral data with those reported in literature. Compounds 1-10 were tested for their ability to scavenge 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical.

Cyclovirobuxinum D suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in murine macrophages in vitro by blocking JAK-STAT signaling pathway.

Aim: Cyclovirobuxinum D (CVB-D), an alkaloid isolated from the Chinese medicinal plant Buxus microphylla, has been found to be effective to treat cardiac insufficiency, arrhythmias and coronary heart disease. In the present study, we investigated the effects of CVB-D on the inflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophages in vitro and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Murine macrophage cell line RAW264.

Epigenetic repression of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) in BRCA1-mutated breast cancer.

Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) plays a critical role in breast cancer progression. However, the epigenetic mechanism regulating PEMT transcription remains largely unknown. Here, we show that the first promoter-specific transcript 1 is the major PEMT mRNA species, and methylation of the -132 site is a key regulatory element for the PEMT gene in BRCA1-mutated breast cancer.

Maternal nicotinamide supplementation causes global DNA hypomethylation, uracil hypo-incorporation and gene expression changes in fetal rats.

Recent evidence shows that excess nicotinamide can cause epigenetic changes in developing rats. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of maternal nicotinamide supplementation on the fetus. Female rats were randomised into four groups fed a standard chow diet (control group) or diets supplemented with 1 g/kg of nicotinamide (low-dose group), 4 g/kg of nicotinamide (high-dose group) or 4 g/kg of nicotinamide plus 2 g/kg of betaine (betaine group) for 14-16 d before mating and throughout the study.

High-birefringence, low-loss porous fiber for single-mode terahertz-wave guidance.

A new kind of polymer porous fiber with elliptical air-holes is designed for obtaining high birefringence in the terahertz (THz) frequency range in this paper. Using the finite element method, the properties of this kind of fiber are simulated in detail including the single-mode propagation condition, the birefringence, and the loss. Theoretical results indicate that the single-mode THz wave in the frequency range from 0.

New resveratrol oligomer derivatives from the roots of Rheum lhasaense.

Two new resveratrol trimer derivatives, named rheumlhasol A (1) and rheumlhasol B (2) were isolated from the methanolic extract of roots of Rheum lhasaense A. J. Li et P.

[Study on the anti-endotoxin effect of saponin from Tupistra chinensis].

Objective: To investigate the effect of saponin from Tupistra chinensis Baker (STCB) on lethal toxicity of endotoxin in mice and explore the underlying mechanism.

Methods: Mouse models of endotoxin-induced death and endotoximia were established by intraperitoneal administration of KM mice with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa in doses of 60 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg respectively. Mouse survival rate and survival time were recorded and the serum levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in endotoximia mice were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

[Process optimization for extraction of immune active polysaccharides from Fomes fomentarius by introduction of ultrasonication].

Objective: To study the optimal extraction process of immune active polysaccharides from Fomes fomentarius by introduction of ultrasonication.

Methods: An orthogonal experimental design of L9 (3(4)) was used to investigate the effects of ultrasonication time, extraction temperature and extraction time on the extraction ratio, sugar content and immune stimulating activity (mouse splenocyte metabolic activity measured with MTT colorimetry) of the polysaccharides and the optimal extraction process was evaluated.

Results: Ultrasonication treatment had the most remarkable effect on the immune stimulating activity of the polysaccharides.

[Prostaglandin E2 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation through EP2 prostanoid receptor].

Objective: To investigate the effect of prostaglandin E2 (PGE(2)) on the proliferation of cultured hepatocellular carcinoma cells and explore which subtypes of EP prostanoid receptor mediate the action.

Methods: RT-PCR was used to determine COX-2 and EP receptor mRNA expression levels in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Hep3B and human normal hepatocyte line QSG7701. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was employed to investigate the effect of PGE(2), selective EP2 receptor agonist butaprost and EP3/EP4 receptor agonist PGE1 alcohol on the proliferation of the cells.

[Effects of exogenous Ca2+ on morphological and photosynthetic characteristics and chlorophyll fluorescent parameters of squash seedlings under high temperature and strong light stress].

Taking squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) variety Alan as test object, this paper studied the effects of exogenous Ca2+ on the morphological and photosynthetic characteristics and chlorophyll fluorescent parameters of squash seedlings under the cross-stress of high temperature and strong light. Under the stress, applying 5-20 mmol x L(-1) of Ca2+ increased the plant height, leaf area, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, photosynthetic rate (Pn), stoma conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), maximal PS II efficiency (Fv/Fm), actual PS II efficiency (phi(PS II)), and photochemical queching coefficient (q(P)), and decreased the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) and non-photochemical fluorescence quenching coefficient (NPQ), suggesting that this application of exogenous Ca2+ could effectively mitigate the damage of high temperature and strong light stress on the squash seedlings leaf, and make it keep more rapid photosynthetic electron transfer rate and higher PS II electron transfer activity.

[Suppressive effect of matrine on cell growth and decreases beta-catenin-dependent transcriptional activity in hepatoma cell line Hep3B].

Objective: To investigate the effects of matrine on proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis rate and beta-catenin-dependent transcriptional activity in cultured hepatoma cell line Hep3B.

Methods: Cell viability was analyzed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis rate wene determined by flow cytometry analysis, beta-catenin-dependent transcriptional activity was assayed with Dual-Luciferase Reporter System.

[Establishment of mouse model of humoral immune response using rabbit red blood cells as the antigen].

Objective: To establish a mouse model of humoral immune response by immunization with rabbit red blood cells (RRBCs).

Methods: The mice were immunized with RRBCs and the serum hemolysin level was measured by micro-hemolysis spectrophotometry.

Results: The peak time needed for hemolysin production against RRBCs was 6 days after the immunization, and 20% RRBCs in a total volume of 0.

[Effects of lipopolysaccharides of Bacterium prodigiosum on tumor growth and immunosuppression in mice].

Objective: To observe the effects of lipopolysaccharides of Bacterium prodigiosum (BP-LPS) in inhibiting tumor growth and improving immunosuppression in mice.

Methods: In mice bearing S180 tumor and a mouse model of immunosuppression induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX), the tumor growth, indexes of the immune organs and peripheral white blood cell count were measured after intraperitoneal injection of BP-LPS.

Results: Injections of BP-LPS (40 U/kg) for 8 consecutive days resulted in a significant inhibition of the tumor growth in mice bearing S180 tumor (P<0.

[Effect of Flammulina velutipes polysaccharides on production of cytokines by murine immunocytes and serum levels of cytokines in tumor-bearing mice].

Objective: To study the effect of Flammulina velutipes polysaccharides (FVP) on the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) by murine immunocytes.

Methods: The cell's metabolic activity was determined with methylthiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetry assay and the amounts of TNF-alpha, INF-gamma and IL-2 were measured by ELISA.

Results: FVP (200, 100, 50 microg/mL) could promote the metabolic activity of murine splenocytes and peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) and increase the amounts of TNF-alpha, INF-gamma and IL-2 in the supernatants of splenocyte cultures, and the amount of TNF-alpha in PEC cultures, with the most marked increase on TNF-alpha level.

[Immunomodulatory effects of Fomes fomentarius polysaccharides: an experimental study in mice].

Objective: To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of Fomes fomentarius polysaccharides (FFP) in mice.

Methods: MTT assay was employed to evaluate the in vitro metabolic activity of the mouse splenocytes treated with FFP at different concentrations, and the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) from the cells were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The changes in the phagocytotic activity of mouse macrophage in response to FFP treatment were evaluated by phagocytosis percentage of chicken red blood cells (CRBCs).

[Study of anticoagulant activity of ethanol extracts from leech in vitro].

Objective: To study the anticoagulant activity of different portions of leech ethanol extracts (LEEs).

Methods: Anticoagulant activity was determined by measuring prothrombin time(PT), thrombin time (TT), activated partial throboplstin time (APTT) and fibrinogen coagulation time (FCT).

Results: PT, TT, APTT and FCT were remarkably prolonged by ethyl acetate portion of LEEs.