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.

[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.