Endoplasmic reticulum stress is involved in ventilator-induced lung injury in mice via the IRE1α-TRAF2-NF-κB pathway

Inflammation plays a critical role in the development of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is associated with a variety of diseases through the modulation of inflammatory responses. However, little is known about how ER stress is implicated in VILI. In this study, murine mechanical ventilation models were constructed. Total protein and inflammatory cytokines were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung tissue injury was assessed by histology. Our data revealed that mice subjected to high tidal ventilation (TV) for 4 h showed more severe pulmonary edema and inflammation than those of mice with spontaneous breathing and low TV-treatment. In addition, the high TV-treated animals upregulated the ER stress markers GRP78, CHOP, p-IRE1α, TRAF2, and p-NF-κB expression at both the mRNA and protein levels in lung tissue. Administration of thapsigargin exacerbated the histological changes, inflammation and expression of GRP78 and CHOP after high TV, but treatment with ER stress and IRE1α kinase inhibitors attenuated the pathological damage and downregulated the high expression of GRP78, CHOP, p-IRE1α, TRAF2, and p-NF-κB, suggesting that ER stress is involved in VILI though the IRE1α/TRAF2/NF-κB signaling pathway in mice.     

Herpes simplex virus latency in the nervous system – a new model

Permissive herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in tissue culture results in host cell destruction. Latent HSV infection in vivo occurs in neurons of peripheral sensory ganglia (PSG) and it therefore can not take place in neurons in which the virus has completed a lytic replication cycle similar to that present in vitro. Our hypothesis, based on experimental data and observations in humans, suggests that establishment of latent infection and reactivation of HSV-1 does not involve neuronal cell loss. Latency is established in neurons in which the virus does not replicate and is determined, in part, by the tissue levels of a herpes transactivating protein (Vmw65) that is a component of the viral tegument. We also suggest that reactivation of latent infection does not involve destruction of neurons and is due to replication of virus at the peripheral mucocutaneous tissues to where virus or viral DNA have been transported from the nervous tissue. Alternatively, reactivation is initiated in the PSG using a replication cycle which does not involve irreversible damage to neurons. This model explains the lack of damage to neurons which continue to serve as permanent reservoirs of latent virus for the entire life of the host.     

Suppression of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages by aqueous extract of Clinopodium vulgare L. (Lamiaceae)

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The wild basil Clinopodium vulgare L. is commonly used in Bulgarian folk medicine for treatment of irritated skin, mastitis- and prostatitis-related swelling, as well as for some disorders accompanied with significant degree of inflammation (e.g. gastric ulcers, diabetes, and cancer).

Aim of study

To determine the effect of aqueous extract of Clinopodium vulgare L. on LPS-induced inflammatory responses of murine RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Materials and methods

Cell cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. Protein expression levels were monitored by Western blot analysis. Production of NO and PGE₂ was measured by the Griess colorimetric method and enzyme immunoassay, respectively. Activation of MMP-9 was visualized by gelatin zymography. Cytokine levels were determined by BioPlex assay. Intracellular ROS and free radical scavenging potential were measured by DCFH-DA and DPPH method, respectively. Xanthine oxidase activity was evaluated spectrophotometrically.

Results

The extract suppresses NF-κB activation by preventing Iκ-B phosphorylation and inhibits the phosphorylation of p38 and SAPK/JNK MAPKs. It down-regulates iNOS expression which manifests as a drastic decrease of NO production, inhibits MMP-9 activation, but does not affect COX-2 protein levels and reduces only slightly the released PGE₂. Secretion of IL-1β and Il-10 is greatly reduced, whereas suppression of TNF-α and GM-CSF production is less dramatic. The extract has strong free radical scavenging properties and exerts inhibitory effect on xanthine oxidase activity, which lowers the levels of intracellular ROS.

Conclusion

The study provides evidence for the anti-inflammatory potential of Clinopodium vulgare L. aqueous extract.     

丙泊酚对大鼠缺血再灌注肾NF-κB、TNF-α表达的影响

目的 研究丙泊酚对大鼠肢体缺血再灌注损伤后肾组织中肿瘤坏死因子-α（tumornecrosisfactor-α，TNF-α）、核因子-κB（nuclear factor-κxB，NF-κB）表达的影响。方法 24只SD雄性大鼠，随机分为假手术对照组（A组），肢体缺血再灌注组（B组）和丙泊酚干预组（C组），每组8只。采用免疫组织化学方法检测TNF-α、NF-κB的表达，行图像分析半定量。结果 B组大鼠肾组织中TNF-α、NF-κB的表达明显高于A组（P〈0．05），C组明显低于B组（P〈0．05）。结论 肢体缺血再灌注后有明显肾损伤，丙泊酚对肢体缺血再灌注肾损伤有一定程度的保护作用，其机制可能与下调大鼠肢体缺血再灌注损伤肾组织中TNF-α、NF-κB的过度表达有关。     

Flavocoxid is as effective as naproxen for managing the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee in humans: a short-term randomized,double-blind pilot study

Flavocoxid (Limbrel), a proprietary mixture of flavonoid molecules (baicalin and catechin), was tested against a traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, naproxen, for the management of the signs and symptoms of moderate osteoarthritis (OA) in humans. Discomfort and global disease activity were used as the primary end points, and safety assessments were also taken for both treatments as a secondary endpoint. In this double-blind study, 103 subjects were randomly assigned to receive either flavocoxid [500 mg twice daily (BID)] or naproxen (500 mg BID) in a 1-month onset of action trial. Outcome measures included the short Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index, subject Visual Analogue Scale for discomfort and global response, and investigator Visual Analogue Scale for global response and fecal occult blood. Both flavocoxid and naproxen showed significant reduction in the signs and symptoms of knee OA (P ≤ .001). There were no statistically detectable differences between the flavocoxid and naproxen groups with respect to any of the outcome variables. Similarly, there were no statistically detectable differences between the groups with respect to any adverse event, although there was a trend toward a higher incidence of edema and nonspecific musculoskeletal discomfort in the naproxen group. In this short-term pilot study, flavocoxid was as effective as naproxen in controlling the signs and symptoms of OA of the knee and would present a safe and effective option for those individuals on traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. A low incidence of adverse events was reported for both groups.     

17β-雌二醇对子宫内膜异位症患者在位子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白表达的影响

目的研究17β-雌二醇(17β-E2)对子宫内膜异位症(内异症)患者在位子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白表达的影响,探讨Wnt/β-catenin信号通路在介导雌激素促进内异症发生发展的作用。方法体外分离培养内异症患者在位子宫内膜间质细胞。用不同浓度17β-E2处理子宫内膜间质细胞48 h;此后选用10-10mol/L 17β-E2处理子宫内膜间质细胞12、24和48 h,逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和免疫印迹法(Western blotting)检测17β-E2处理前后子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白的表达水平。同法分析雌激素受体拮抗剂ICI182,780(10-6mol/L)对17β-E2促进β-catenin mRNA和蛋白表达的影响。免疫组织化学染色观察17β-E2作用后β-catenin在子宫内膜间质细胞中的定位。结果17β-E2能明显促进内异症患者在位子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白的表达,并呈剂量和时间依赖性,于10-10mol/L作用48 h最明显。雌激素受体拮抗剂ICI182,780能明显抑制17β-E2对子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白的表达。免疫组织化学染色发现17β-E2能促进β-catenin在子宫内膜间质细胞核内的表达。结论雌激素可能通过激活Wnt/β-catenin信号通路促进内异症在位子宫内膜的异位种植。     

早期大剂量维生素C对重症急性胰腺炎大鼠核因子-κB的影响

目的:观察早期大剂量应用抗坏血酸(维生素C)对重症急性胰腺炎(SAP)大鼠的核因子-!B(NF-!B)的影响,研究其作用机制。方法:将72只SAP模型SD大鼠随机分成3组,每组各24只。A组:由大鼠股静脉滴注生理盐水5 ml/kg。B组:大鼠股静脉滴注Vit C 15 mg/kg加生理盐水至5 ml/kg。C组:由大鼠股静脉滴注Vit C 150 mg/kg加生理盐水至5 ml/kg。另取8只SD大鼠作为正常对照组。各组分别于8 h和24 h处死8只大鼠,采血测淀粉酶、脂肪酶、维生素C(PV-C)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、TNF-αI、L-6。大鼠处死时分别取胰头组织3份,一份组织HE染色,行光镜检查,按Kusske的方法,对水肿、炎症、出血和坏死分别评分;一份制成超薄切片,行电镜检查;另一份SP法进行免疫组化染色,检测NF-!B的表达。每组另外8只大鼠观察3 d内存活情况,计算3 d成活率。结果:各组大鼠3 d内的生存率为正常对照组100%(8/8),A组0%(0/8),B组12.5%(1/8),C组50%(4/8),C组的3 d生存率显著高于其他两组(P<0.05)。各组的4项病理学评分均高于正常对照组(P<0.01),C组的4项病理学评分均低于A、B组(P<0.05)。透射电镜检查示C组中分泌颗粒较少,其包膜完整、内质网轻度肿胀、线粒体清晰,未见大片坏死。SAP大鼠体内淀粉酶、脂肪酶、细胞因子TNF-α和IL-6的水平明显增高,血清SOD和P-VC降低,胰腺组织中NF-!B活化阳性胰腺细胞数明显增多。C组的血清淀粉酶和脂肪酶低于A、B组(P<0.05),SOD和P-VC水平高于A、B组(P<0.05),血清TNF-αI、L-6水平低于A、B组(P<0.05),胰腺组织NF-!B活化水平低于A、B组(P<0.05)。结论:早期大剂量应用Vit C有助于及时提高SAP大鼠的P-VC、E-SOD水平,降低体内淀粉酶、脂肪酶、TNF-αI、L-6水平,其作用机制可能与大剂量Vit C抑制SAP大鼠体内NF-!B活化、在整体水平上抑制细胞因子基因表达、有助于机体免受自由基和过量细胞因子的损伤及减轻胰腺组织的病理性改变等因素有关。