Rapamycin prevents thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection in mice

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether rapamycin inhibits the development of thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) in mice.

Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Immunoregulatory Role at the Periapex: Associative and Mechanistic Evidences from Human and Experimental Periapical Lesions

IntroductionThe balance between the host proinflammatory immune response and the counteracting anti-inflammatory and reparative responses supposedly determine the outcome of periapical lesions. In this scenario, the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) may exert a protective role because of its prominent immunoregulatory capacity. In this study, we investigated (in a cause-and-effect manner) the potential involvement of VIP in the development of human and experimental periapical lesions.MethodsPeriapical granulomas (n = 124) and control samples (n = 48) were comparatively assessed for VIP and multiple immunologic/activity marker expression through real-time polymerase chain reaction. Experimental periapical lesions (C57Bl/6 wild-type mice) were evaluated regarding endogenous VIP expression correlation with lesion development and the effect of recombinant VIP therapy in lesion outcome. CCR4KO and IL4KO strains and anti-glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related protein inhibition were used to test the involvement of Treg and Th2 cells in VIP-mediated effects.ResultsVIP expression was more prevalent in periapical granulomas than in controls, presenting a positive association with immunoregulatory factors and an inverse association/correlation with proinflammatory mediators and the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand/osteoprotegerin ratio. Endogenous VIP expression up-regulation was temporally associated with lesion immunoregulation and a decline of bone loss. VIP therapy in mice prompted the arrest of lesion development, being associated with an anti-inflammatory and proreparative response that limits the proinflammatory, Th1, Th17, and osteoclastogenic response in the periapex. The VIP protective effect was dependent of Treg migration and activity and independent of interleukin 4.ConclusionsOur results show that VIP overexpression in human and experimental periapical lesions is associated with lesion inactivity and that VIP therapy results in the attenuation of experimental lesion progression associated with the immunosuppressive response involving Treg cells.     

The value of mRNA expression of S100A8 and S100A9 as blood-based biomarkers of inflammatory bowel disease

Background and study aimsNon-invasive biomarkers of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are of critical importance. Here, we evaluated the S100A8 and S100A9 mRNA expression, as the heterodimers of calprotectin, in the blood leucocytes of IBD patients to find how their expression associates with the disease characteristics.Patients and methodsIn this cross-sectional study, 59 IBD patients and 30 healthy subjects were included. The flare and remission phases of disease were identified in 46 and 13 patients, respectively. Blood leucocytes were isolated, and the S100A8 and S100A9 mRNA expression were evaluated in the isolated leucocytes using relative quantification real-time PCR.ResultsThe mean S100A8 and S100A9 mRNA expression were significantly higher in IBD patients than in the controls (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively). The mean S100A8 and S100A9 mRNA expression were significantly higher in the flare phase of the disease compared with the remission phase (p = 0.01 and p = 0.007, respectively). S100A8 distinguished IBD patients from controls with the sensitivity and specificity of 73% and 64%, and flare phase of disease from remission with the sensitivity and specificity of 67% and 62%. On the other hand, S100A9 distinguished IBD patients from controls with the sensitivity and specificity of 81% and 70%, and flare phase of disease from remission with the sensitivity and specificity of 68% and 64%.ConclusionThe S100A8 and S100A9 mRNA are differentially expressed in blood leucocytes of IBD patients compared to healthy controls as well as active versus quiescent disease. Thus, they can be potentially used as a blood-based biomarker in the monitoring of IBD.     

养阴清肺汤对急性放射性口腔炎患者免疫功能、炎症细胞因子的影响

目的观察养阴清肺汤治疗急性放射性口腔炎的临床疗效及其对患者免疫功能和炎症细胞因子的影响。方法患者100例,按照随机数字表法分为治疗组与对照组各50例,两组均采用西医常规治疗,治疗组在对照组治疗基础上加用养阴清肺汤,两组疗程均持续到放疗结束后2~4周。观察两组临床疗效,治疗前后两组唾液中γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)及白细胞介素-8(IL-8)水平及两组治疗前后免疫功能指标(CD3^+、CD4^+、CD8^+、CD4^+/CD8^+)的变化情况。结果治疗组总有效率为92.00%,显著高于对照组的76.00%(P<0.05)。治疗组症状体征、唾液炎症细胞因子、相关免疫功能指标恢复程度均优于对照组(P<0.05)。结论养阴清肺汤可有效缓解急性放射性口腔炎的疼痛和黏膜损伤程度,加速患者伤口愈合,有效抑制急性放射性口腔炎的相关炎症细胞因子。     

Varicella-zoster-virus vaccination of immunosuppressed children with inflammatory bowel disease or autoimmune hepatitis: A prospective observational study

Background and aimsChildren with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) receiving immunosuppressive treatment are at risk for severe varicella zoster virus (VZV)-induced disease. This study evaluated vaccination of susceptible patients with stable disease and documented immunoreactivity without interruption of their current immunosuppression (IS).MethodsThis prospective multicentre observational study used a prevaccination checklist to select patients with low-intensity and high-intensity IS for VZV vaccination. Tolerability and safety after immunization were assessed by questionnaire. The immune response was measured by the VZV-IgG concentration, relative avidity index (RAI), and specific lymphocyte proliferative response.ResultsA total of 29 VZV vaccinations were performed in 17 seronegative patients aged 3–16 years (IBD n = 15, AIH n = 2). Eight patients received high-intensity immunosuppression, another six low-intensity immunosuppression, and three patients interrupted IS before VZV vaccination.All 29 vaccinations were well tolerated; only minor side effects such as fever and abdominal pain, were reported in two patients. One patient experienced a flare of Crohn’s disease the day after vaccination.The VZV-IgG-concentration increased significantly (p = 0.018) after vaccination, and a specific lymphocyte response towards VZV in vitro was detected in all tested patients which correlated with the RAI (r = 0.489; p = 0.078).ConclusionsVZV vaccination was well tolerated, safe and immunogenic in children receiving ongoing IS due to IBD and AIH. Ensuring immunoreactivity by clinical and laboratory parameters, rather than the type and dosage of IS, is a reasonable approach to decide on live-attenuated virus vaccinations in immunosuppressed children (German clinical trials DRKS00016357).     

右归丸经IL-6/STAT3信号通路对膝骨关节炎模型大鼠软骨组织退变的调控机制

目的:观察右归丸对膝骨关节炎(KOA)模型鼠软骨组织信号转导和转录激活因子3(STAT3)和白细胞介素-6(IL-6)表达水平的影响。方法:将大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、硫酸氨基葡萄糖组、右归丸高、中、低剂量组,每组10只。采用改良Hulth法制备大鼠KOA模型,假手术组和模型组给予等体积生理盐水灌胃,右归丸高、中、低剂量组分别给予右归丸4.8,2.4,1.2 g·kg^-1灌胃,硫酸氨基葡萄糖组给予硫酸氨基葡萄糖0.17 g·kg^-1灌胃,连续给药8周。干预结束24 h后股动脉采血处死各组大鼠,取鼠膝关节软骨,采用苏木素-伊红(HE)染色法观察各组软骨的病理改变,并进行Mankin评分;免疫组化法检测各组关节软骨组织中STAT3,超氧化物歧化酶3(SOD3)和Wnt抑制因子1(WIF1)的表达;实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(Real-time PCR)检测软骨组织中IL-6 mRNA的表达;蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测各组关节软骨组中WIF1蛋白的表达。结果:与假手术组比较,模型组大鼠软骨组织Makin评分明显升高,软骨组织STAT3在蛋白水平上的表达明显增加和IL-6 mRNA水平上的表达显著增加,WIF1在蛋白水平上的表达显著降低(P<0.01);模型组关节软骨边缘严重破坏,软骨细胞排列紊乱。与模型组比较,右归丸高剂量干预组大鼠软骨组织Makin评分,STAT3的在蛋白水平上的表达明显降低,右归丸各干预组IL-6 mRNA水平上的表达显著降低,WIF1在蛋白水平上的表达显著增加(P<0.05,P<0.01),软骨结构趋于正常,软骨细胞分布仅偶见不均,关节软骨表面欠光滑。结论:右归丸能显著改善KOA大鼠的关节软骨退变,抑制KOA中软骨组织的炎症反应,这可能与其抑制STAT3和IL-6的表达有关。     

黄芪建中汤加减对胃溃疡脾胃虚寒证患者临床疗效及机制研究

目的:探讨黄芪建中汤治疗胃溃疡脾胃虚寒型的可能作用机理。方法:将2013年1月至2016年1月收治的符合入组标准的虚寒型胃溃疡患者分为对照组和观察组各100例,对照组给予常规四联疗法(奥美拉唑+阿莫西林+克拉霉素+替硝唑),观察组在此基础上服用加味黄芪建中汤加减,2组均以8周为1个疗程,比较2组患者的总有效率、血清胃泌素(GAS)、胃动素(MTL)、血清白介素-6(IL-6)、白介素-8(IL-8)、白介素-4(IL-4)、白介素-17(IL-17)、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF-a)水平变化及复发率。结果:观察组总有效率98.0%高于对照组,治疗后观察组患者血清IL-6、IL-8、IL-17、TNF-a水平值均低于治疗前,且低于对照组治疗后,而观察组IL-4水平值明显高于治疗前及对照组治疗后;治疗后观察组GAS和MTL水平值均明显低于治疗前及对照组治疗后,观察组中医症状积分低于对照组治疗后。结论:黄芪建中汤加减联合常规四联疗法治疗虚寒型胃溃疡效果确切,并能够提高IL-4表达水平,降低IL-6、IL-8、IL-17及TNF-a水平。     

黄芪汤加减治疗急性加重期慢性阻塞性肺疾病疗效研究

摘 要 目的:探讨黄芪汤加减治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期（AECOPD）的临床疗效。方法:采用随机数字表法将166例AECOPD患者随机分为常规组和观察组各83例。常规组采用常规西医方法治疗，观察组在常规组的基础上给予黄芪汤加减治疗。观察两组治疗前后第1秒用力呼气量（FEV1）、用力肺活量（FVC）、FEV1占FVC的百分比（FEV1/FVC％）、动脉血氧分压（PaO2）、动脉血二氧化碳分压（PaCO2）、肿瘤坏死因子 α（TNF α）、白细胞介素 1β（IL 1β）、白细胞介素 6（IL 6）水平。结果:两组治疗后FEV1、FEV1/FVC、PaO2水平与治疗前相比较均显著升高（P＜0.05），且观察组与同期常规组相比较均显著升高（P＜0.05）；两组治疗后PaCO2、TNF α、IL 1β、IL 6水平与治疗前相比较均显著降低（P＜0.05），且观察组与同期常规组相比较均显著降低（P＜0.05）。结论:黄芪汤加减治疗AECOPD可降低患者炎症反应水平，改善动脉血气和肺功能，提高治疗效果，值得临床应用。