PAF受体拮抗剂对内毒素血症幼年大鼠胃黏膜NO含量及iNOS表达的影响

目的:探讨一氧化氮(NO)、诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)及PAF受体拮抗剂在内毒素(LPS)腹腔注射诱导的幼年大鼠急性胃黏膜损伤中的作用.方法:Wistar大鼠, 随机分为对照组、LPS组、PAF受体拮抗剂预防组和治疗组. 用内毒素(O55:B5脂多糖)5 mg/kg ip制备幼年大鼠内毒素血症模型. 预防组和治疗组分别于内毒素ip前及ip后0.5 h, 应用血小板活化因子(PAF)受体拮抗剂BN52021(GinkgolideB)5 mg/kg ip, 同等量生理盐水ip为对照组. 于LPS注射后1.5,3, 6, 24, 48, 72 h处死动物, 大体及光学显微镜下观察胃黏膜损伤情况, 采用硝酸还原酶的化学比色法测定胃黏膜NO含量;免疫组织化学S-P方法测定胃黏膜iNOS蛋白的表达, 半定量RT-PCR法测定胃黏膜iNOS mRNA的表达.结果:LPS组6 h胃黏膜损伤最重, 黏膜内有出血, 核碎裂、固缩, 凋亡小体出现;预防组和治疗组改变轻微. LPS组腹腔注射内毒素后6 h胃黏膜NO含量最高, 此时LPS组较对照组NO含量明显增高(84.37±5.44 vs 37.37±1.90,P<0.01), 预防组和治疗组(40.07±3.42, 48.63±3.24)较LPS组明显降低( P<0.01);预防组与治疗组较对照组明显增高( P<0.05). 对照组胃黏膜组织未见iNOS蛋白及mRNA的表达;LPS组腹腔注射内毒素后1.5 h胃黏膜组织胞质iNOS蛋白表达, 6 h明显增高, 24 h最高, 48 h下降, 72 h仍未恢复正常;预防组和治疗组3 hiNOS蛋白表达, 6 h明显增高, 48 h下降, 72 h同对照组. iNOS mRNA水平的表达变化与iNOS蛋白表达变化趋势相同.结论:PAF受体拮抗剂可下调iNOS mRNA表达水平, 减少iNOS蛋白表达, 使NO含量下降.从而使NO和iNOS对胃黏膜发挥保护作用.     

低密度脂蛋白胆固醇损伤大鼠离体胰岛的研究

目的研究低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）对体外培养胰岛的损伤作用。方法（1）体外分离培养Wistar大鼠胰岛,并在低糖（2.8mmol/L）和高糖（16.7mmol/L）条件下与不同浓度LDL-C培养,放射免疫法测定胰岛素分泌量;（2）用MTT法检测LDL-C对胰岛活性的影响,用DNA凝胶电泳分析LDL-C对离体胰岛凋亡的影响。结果（1）低糖刺激下,LDL-C对胰岛素分泌无明显影响,但在高糖刺激下,胰岛素分泌水平降低。（2）在LDL-C作用下,胰岛活性显著下降;在较高浓度LDL-C作用下,琼脂糖凝胶电泳图呈典型的细胞凋亡引起的DNA梯状带。结论LDL-C可诱导胰岛凋亡,损伤胰岛功能,降低胰岛素分泌水平,其主要机制可能为氧化损伤。     

一氧化氮介导内毒素所致体外培养肝细胞凋亡

目的 研究一氧化氮（NO）介导内毒素（LPS）所致的肝细胞损伤的细胞死亡类型。方法 采用体外肝细胞／库普弗细胞混合培养，以光镜、电镜及抽提细胞DNA电泳观察受LPS刺激后NO产生增多所致肝细胞损伤的形态学及生物化学改变情况。结果 受LPS刺激后，培养基中NO产物水平显著升高，肝细胞变小、变圆。细胞表达出泡，核染色质致密、结块，结块，核膜皱折变形等，DNA电泳呈明显“云梯形式”。而同时加用诱导型一氧化氮合酶抑制基胍后，培养基中NO产物水平显著降低，，光镜、电镜及DNA电泳分析肝细胞均上述改变。结论 NO介导LPS所致的混合培养肝细胞损伤主要为肝细胞凋亡，提示LPS通过刺激NO大量产生而诱导肝细胞凋亡可能是其致肝损害机制之一。     

类似人类老年糖尿病大鼠模型胰腺形态学变化

目的采用D-半乳糖加高脂高糖乳剂及链脲佐菌素(STZ)构建类似老年人糖尿病的大鼠动物模型,观察其胰腺形态学变化。方法选用健康Wistar雌性大鼠,20只灌胃生理盐水为正常对照组;20只采用腹腔注射D-半乳糖40d为衰老模型组;另25只则采用腹腔注射D-半乳糖40d并灌胃高脂高糖乳剂30d后腹腔注射STZ(体重≤200g按30mg/kg,体重200g者按体表面积进行计算),制备衰老糖尿病模型大鼠,筛选空腹血糖≥11.1mmol/L者为成模鼠,上述各组大鼠再继续灌胃生理盐水10d后,各组随机取10个样本以免疫组化、光镜和电镜分别观察大鼠胰岛诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)表达、胰腺细胞凋亡、胰岛形态及胰岛细胞和腺泡细胞超微结构变化。结果衰老模型组大鼠胰岛iNOS表达量和胰腺细胞凋亡数较正常对照组增加,衰老糖尿病模型组胰岛iNOS表达量和胰腺细胞凋亡数剧增达3倍以上。HE染色显示,衰老模型组胰岛数量、面积仅为正常的50%～70%,衰老糖尿病模型组胰岛数量、面积仅为正常的20%～30%,且岛内中心部细胞(β细胞)消失尤为显著。电镜观察显示,衰老糖尿病模型组大鼠胰腺细胞明显脱颗粒,呈现膜性结构皱缩,核染色质固缩、碎裂等细胞凋亡征象。结论采用腹腔注射D-半乳糖加高脂高糖乳剂及腹腔注射STZ,胰腺形态组织学证实大鼠在衰老模型基础上胰岛β、D细胞数量进一步下降可引发糖尿病。     

类似人类老年糖尿病大鼠模型之形态学变化

目的 采用D-半乳糖加高脂高糖乳剂及链脲佐菌素(STZ)构建类似老年人糖尿病的大鼠动物模型,观察其胰腺形态学变化.方法 选用健康Wistar雌性大鼠,20只灌胃生理盐水为正常对照组;20只采用腹腔注射D-半乳糖40 d为衰老模型组;另25只则采用腹腔注射D-半乳糖40 d并灌胃高脂高糖乳剂30 d后腹腔注射STZ(体重≤200 g按30 mg/kg,体重＞200 g者按体表面积进行计算),制备衰老糖尿病模型大鼠,筛选空腹血糖≥11.1 mmol/L者为成模鼠,上述各组大鼠再继续灌胃生理盐水10 d后,各组随机取10个样本以免疫组化、光镜和电镜分别观察大鼠胰岛诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)表达、胰腺细胞凋亡、胰岛形态及胰岛细胞和腺泡细胞超微结构变化.结果 衰老模型组大鼠胰岛iNOS表达量和胰腺细胞凋亡数较正常对照组增加,衰老糖尿病模型组胰岛iNOS表达量和胰腺细胞凋亡数剧增达3倍以上.HE染色显示,衰老模型组胰岛数量、面积仅为正常的50%～70%,衰老糖尿病模型组胰岛数量、面积仅为正常的20%～30%,且岛内中心部细胞(β细胞)消失尤为显著.电镜观察显示,衰老糖尿病模型组大鼠胰腺细胞明显脱颗粒,呈现膜性结构皱缩,核染色质固缩、碎裂等细胞凋亡征象.结论 采用腹腔注射D-半乳糖加高脂高糖乳剂及腹腔注射STZ,胰腺形态组织学证实大鼠在衰老模型基础上胰岛β、D细胞数量进一步下降可引发糖尿病.     

细胞因子对大鼠胰岛细胞凋亡影响和机制的实验研究

大鼠胰岛体外培养,根据是否加入细胞因子[肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)和白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)]及是否使用RNA干扰(RNAi)诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)基因,将胰岛分为5组:空白对照组(A),阴性RNAi对照组(B),RNAi组(C),RNAi+细胞因子组(D)和细胞因子组(E).检测胰岛iNOS表达、培养液NO浓度和组织iNOS活性、胰岛细胞凋亡和胰岛素分泌.E组组织iNOS活性和培养液NO水平显著升高,凋亡细胞明显增多,胰岛存活率降低,胰岛素分泌减少(P<0.05或P<0.01).经RNAi沉默iNOS后,胰岛组织iNOS活性和培养液NO水平显著降低,凋亡细胞明显减少,胰岛功能均得到改善(P<0.05或P<0.01).本研究提示,iNOS/NO通路是细胞因子IL-1β和TNF-α对胰岛损害的重要机制,是促使细胞凋亡,影响胰岛存活与功能的重要因素.     

血管活性肠肽对内毒素性休克大鼠肠道TLR4、MD2和BD3 mRNA表达的影响

目的探讨血管活性肠肽(vasoactive intestinal peptide,VIP)对细菌脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)致休克大鼠肠道组织TLR4、MD2和BD3 mRNA表达的影响。方法 40只SD大鼠,随机分为LPS组(15只)、LPS+VIP组(15只)和对照组(10只)。LPS组尾静脉注射LPS(E.coli O55B5)10 mg/kg;LPS+VIP组尾静脉注射LPS 10 mg/kg后注射VIP 5 nmol/kg;对照组尾静脉注射等容量生理盐水。分别于注射后6 h和24 h处死,留取结肠组织标本,RT-PCR检测结肠组织TLR4、MD2和BD3 mRNA表达,光镜下观察24 h时肠组织病理变化。结果①肠组织病理改变:注射LPS后大鼠肠黏膜坏死脱落,微绒毛结构消失,结缔组织明显充血,大量的炎性细胞浸润。采用VIP治疗后病变明显减轻。②TLR4、MD2和BD3 mRNA表达:注射VIP后6 h、24 h,肠组织TLR4、MD2和BD3 mRNA表达升高(P0.05);24 h时LPS+VIP组TLR4、BD3和MD2 mRNA表达明显低于LPS组(P0.05)。结论 LPS致内毒素性休克大鼠肠道损伤时,肠组织TLR4、MD2和BD3 mRNA表达增强。VIP可减轻LPS所致肠道黏膜损伤,其机制可能与下调重要的炎症基因TLR4、MD2和BD3 mRNA表达有关。     

辣椒素对类固醇糖尿病大鼠的影响及其作用机制

目的研究辣椒素对类固醇糖尿病(SDM)大鼠的影响及相关机制。方法 SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组(NC组),SDM组和辣椒素组;检测各组大鼠血糖,胰岛素抵抗,血清中脂联素和降钙素基因相关肽(CGRP)的改变,胰岛细胞凋亡率和胰腺组织细胞凋亡蛋白酶-3(Caspase-3)mRNA变化。结果小剂量腹腔注射辣椒素明显降低SDM大鼠血糖,抑制胰岛素抵抗;增加血清脂联素和CGRP的表达;下调SDM大鼠胰岛细胞凋亡率和胰腺组织Caspase-3 mRNA的表达。结论辣椒素能改善SDM大鼠,与降低SDM大鼠血糖、抑制胰岛素抵抗、增加血清脂联素和CGRP的表达和抑制胰岛细胞凋亡有关。     

大鼠脑缺血再灌注后神经细胞NOS表达与细胞凋亡及米帕明的保护作用

目的探讨大鼠局灶性脑缺向再灌注后神经细胞一氧化氮合酶（NOS）的表达与神经细胞凋亡的关系及米帕明的保护作用。方法采用大脑中动脉内栓线阻断法（MCAO）造成局灶性脑缺血再灌注模型。用原位细胞凋亡检测方法观察神经细胞凋亡;用免疫组织化学方法检测大鼠神经细胞（nNOS、iNOS）的阳性表达的细胞数目。结果与假手术对照组比较,脑缺血再灌注2h后缺血侧神经细胞nNOS、iNOS表达升高,并出现神经细胞凋亡,随着再灌注时间的延长,神经细胞iNOS的表达明显增强,凋亡神经细胞数逐渐增多,至24h达高峰,但神经细胞nNOS的表达并未见明显增强。米帕明保护组神经细胞nNOS、iNOS的表达和凋亡神经细胞数明显低于缺血再灌组（p〈0．01）。结论脑缺血再灌注后缺血侧神经细胞nNOS的表达增强,iNOS的表达显著升高,使NO的形成增加,这可能是介导脑缺血再灌注后神经细胞凋亡的机制之一。米帕明具有下调神经细胞nNOS、iNOS的表达,减少NO的生成、抑制细胞凋亡．减轻缺血再灌注对大鼠神经细胞损伤的作用。     

生长抑素类似物对急性胰腺炎大鼠胰腺组织表皮生长因子基因表达的影响及其机

观察分子生长抑素类似物（善宁）对急性胰腺炎大鼠胰腺组织表皮生长因子（EGF）mRNA表达,DNA合成,总蛋白含量的影响及相互关系,进一步探讨美宁治疗急性胰腺炎的作用机制,方法：以腹腔注射雨蛙肽诱导大鼠急性胰腺炎模型,并分别诱导后6h,24h,48h,72h和96h时处死大鼠,用逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT－PCR)技术检测胰腺组织EGFmRNA表达,用^3H－胸腺嘧啶核苷体外掺入法测定胰腺组织DNA合成状态,用Lowry‘s法测定胰腺组织总蛋白含量,结果：善宁治疗组大鼠血清淀粉酶水平较非治疗组显著下降,正常胰腺组织和胰腺炎诱导后6h的胰腺组织未见GEFmRNA表达,但诱导后24h至96h可检测到EGFmRNA表达,善宁治疗后48h,EGFmRNA表达较非治疗组明显增强,胰腺炎诱导后72h,非治疗组大鼠胰腺组织DNA合成下降,善宁治疗后96h,DNA合成较非治疗组明显增加,胰腺炎诱导后48h,非治疗组大鼠互腺组织总蛋白含量明显下降,善宁治疗后48h,总蛋白含量非治疗组明显增加,至96h时达最高值,结论：善宁治疗急性胰腺为的可能机制是诱导胰腺组织EGF表达增强,刺激胰细胞增生,增加胰腺组织DNA合成总蛋白含量,从而加胰腺细胞的修复和再塑。     

Underlying disease stress augments plasma and tissue adrenomedullin (AM) responses to endotoxin: colocalized increases in AM and inducible nitric oxide synthase within pancreatic islets.

Rapid onset metabolic impairments accompany the initiation of the acute phase response to many disease stresses, whereas more chronic metabolic perturbations may prolong the recovery period. In the present experiment the application of a mild endotoxin challenge [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] alone or additive to a chronic subclinical parasitic infection (Sarcocystis cruzi; LPS + PI) in calves was used as a model to investigate and define a dynamic axis coordinated between adrenomedullin (AM) and nitric oxide in response to immune challenge. Plasma AM and NO2/NO3 concentration responses after LPS (0.45 microg/kg, iv) were rapid in onset and of higher magnitude and longer duration in PI + LPS calves than in those challenged with LPS alone. The post-LPS increase in plasma insulin was significantly greater in PI + LPS than in LPS; following refeeding of calves, insulin secretion was most blunted in PI + LPS calves, consistent with the inhibitory effects of NO and AM on insulin secretion. A more chronic response to the immune challenge (organ specific) was in evidence in tissues harvested 24 h after LPS challenge. Where lung and liver showed no immunostaining for inducible nitric oxide (iNOS), iNOS immunostaining was present in the pancreas, localized to islets only. The percentages of iNOS-immunopositive cells in islets were 1.7%, 21%, 6.7%, and 24% for control (C; saline infused), PI, LPS, and PI + LPS calves, respectively. AM immunostaining was not evident in the liver and was present, but not differentially affected by treatment, in airway epithelium in the lung. The number of islet cells with positive immunostaining for AM was increased in LPS, PI, and PI + LPS calves. The percentages ofAM-immunopositive cells in islets were 8%, 27%, 20%, and 33% for C, PI, LPS, and PI + LPS, respectively. Immunostaining for AM and iNOS was colocalized with cells positive for pancreatic polypeptide. By triple label confocal fluorescence immunocytochemistry, colocalization of intense AM and iNOS immunostaining was confirmed in peripheral islet cells. A weaker, more diffuse iNOS signal was also apparent in insulin-containing cells in PI + LPS. We conclude that chronic low level infection potentiates the severity of metabolic perturbations that arise with additive sudden onset immune challenge, as can occur with bacterial toxins. These metabolic disturbances are reflected in and possibly mediated by early onset increases in plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha, insulin, and AM and up-regulated iNOS activity. These acute complications rapidly progress into a more chronic state characterized by diminished insulin response to feeding stimulus and colocalized increases in pancreatic islet AM and iNOS. The pancreatic responses in AM and iNOS may play a major role in mediating prolonged disturbances in nutrient use by tissues through their influences on temporal patterns of pancreatic hormone secretion during chronic illness.     

Protective action of lipopolysaccharidesin rat caerulein-induced pancreatitis: role of nitric oxide

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), the component of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis, but the mechanism of their action on the pancreas has not been fully explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of various doses of LPS on the integrity of intact pancreas and that involved in acute caerulein-induced pancreatitis (CIP) in the rat and to compare these effects with those of nitric oxide (NO) donor, S-nitrose-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP). The expression of constitutive NO synthase (cNOS) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA was also examined in the isolated pancreatic acini obtained from the inflamed pancreas of rats treated with LPS. CIP was produced by subcutaneous (s.c.) infusion of caerulein (5 microg/kg.h for 5 h) to conscious rats. Bolus injections of various doses of LPS (0.1, 1, 10, 20 or 40 mg/kg) or SNAP (1.5, 3 or 6 mg/kg) were made intraperitoneally (i.p.) either alone or 30 min prior to s.c. infusion of caerulein to induce CIP. Infusion of caerulein produced acute pancreatitis confirmed by histological examination and manifested by an increase of pancreatic mass (by about 200%). Blood levels of amylase and lipase were augmented by 400 and 800% respectively, whereas the pancreatic blood flow (PBF) was decreased by 50% in rats with CIP. Injection of low doses of LPS (0.1-1 mg/kg i.p.) or SNAP (1.5-3 mg/kg i.p.) 30 min prior to caerulein infusion reversed the harmful effects of pancreatic overstimulation with caerulein and reduced significantly the histological manifestations of CIP such as edema, neutrophil infiltration and vacuolization of the acinar cells. These protective effects of low doses of LPS pretreatment on the pancreas were completely antagonized by the suppression of the activity of NO synthase (NOS) with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) applied (20 mg/kg i.p.) 15 min prior to the LPS injection. Combination of L-arginine (100 mg/kg i.p.), a substrate for NOS, with L-NNA given prior to low doses of LPS, restored the LPS-induced protection of the pancreas in rats with CIP. In contrast, higher doses of LPS (20-40 mg/kg i.p.) or SNAP (6 mg/kg i.p.), which produced a significant fall of the PBF, did not protect the pancreas against CIP. Administration of various doses of LPS to rats with CIP resulted in significant and dose-dependent stimulation of NO biosynthesis in the isolated acini obtained from the pancreas of these animals. LPS enhanced the expression of both cNOS and iNOS in the pancreatic acini obtained from rats subjected to CIP. The signal for cNOS mRNA was detected in all samples, reaching peak at the protective dose of LPS (1 mg/kg i. p.), while iNOS was overexpressed only at the highest doses of LPS that failed to exhibit the protective activity. We conclude that the pretreatment with low doses of LPS protects the pancreas against the damage provoked by CIP and this effect could be attributed, at least in part, to the activation of L-arginine-NO system in the pancreas.     

Suppression of lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide synthase expression by platelet-activating factor receptor antagonists in the rat liver and cultured rat Kupffer cells.

Excessive nitric oxide (NO) generated by hepatic cells in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inflammatory substances (e.g., platelet-activating factor [PAF]) is a key contributor to the pathophysiological outcomes observed in the liver during sepsis. In rats subjected to liver-focused endotoxemia, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels in the intact liver were elevated by 6 hours; cell-specific expression of iNOS messenger RNA (mRNA) was Kupffer cells (KCs), endothelial cells, and hepatocytes. Elevated serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels at 6 hours confirmed hepatic damage. Pretreatment of endotoxemic rats with PAF receptor antagonists BN 50739 or WEB 2170 reduced serum ALT and iNOS mRNA levels in the intact liver. Pretreatment of cultured KCs with BN 50739 or WEB 2170 inhibited both LPS and PAF-induced iNOS mRNA formation. In addition, LPS-induced iNOS protein levels in KCs pretreated with BN 50739 or WEB 2170 were decreased. Exposure of KCs to either LPS or PAF caused the translocation of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) into the nucleus and this process was attenuated by BN 50739 and WEB 2170. There was concomitant inhibition of LPS-dependent degradation of the inhibitory protein IkappaBalpha and increase in intracellular Ca(2+) in KC treated with BN 50739 or WEB 2170. Also, in KCs, LPS was able to induce iNOS mRNA expression independent of CD14. This response was inhibited by pretreatment of KCs with either BN 50739 or WEB 2170. Our findings indicate that PAF receptor antagonists convey protection against hepatocellular injury accompanied by a decrease in nitric oxide (NO) formation in the livers of endotoxemic rats.     

Sexual dimorphism in endotoxin susceptibility after partial hepatectomy in rats

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver failure due to endotoxemia after hepatectomy is a fatal complication. Little is known regarding the gender influence on this pathophysiological condition. This study was conducted to investigate whether a gender difference exists in the endotoxin susceptibility after hepatectomy. METHODS: Sexually mature male and female rats received an intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as endotoxin, 48h after a two-thirds hepatectomy. RESULTS: The 24-h survival rate after LPS administration was significantly higher in females (75%) than in males (38%). Ovariectomy reduced the survival rate in females to 44%. Plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels 1h after LPS were significantly elevated in males and ovariectomized females. The inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression in liver and spleen, and consequent nitric oxide production 3h after LPS were significantly enhanced in males and ovariectomized females when compared to females, in addition to less functional and structural liver damage in females. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate a gender difference in the susceptibility to endotoxemia in the early phase after hepatectomy. Female tolerance to these conditions may be mediated by an inhibition of excessive inflammatory response in the liver and the spleen, partially via the suppression of iNOS gene up-regulation.     

Endotoxin-induced ileal mucosal injury and nitric oxide dysregulation are temporally dissociated

Despite recent investigations, the mechanisms responsible for intestinal epithelial injury during endotoxemia remain unclear. The present study tests the hypothesis that epithelial necrosis and/or apoptosis correlate with nitric oxide (NO) dysregulation in a nonischemic model of sepsis-induced ileal injury. To test this hypothesis, a well-established in situ, autoperfused, feline ileal preparation was employed. After endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS], 3 mg/ kg, intravenously; n = 9) or vehicle (control; n = 5) treatment, ileal segments were obtained at baseline, 2 and 4 h for simultaneous evaluations of cellular and mitochondrial ultrastructure, immunoprevalence of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and 3-nitrotyrosine (a stable biomarker of peroxynitrite), and histochemical evidence of apoptosis. Epithelial necrosis was prominent by 2 h post-LPS, despite unaltered global ileal tissue oxygen content, blood volume, and blood flow. Significant evidence of apoptosis and increases in the immunoprevalence of iNOS and 3-nitrotyrosine were not evident until 4 h post-LPS. These results suggest that the early ileal mucosal necrosis may be due to LPS-induced activation of inflammatory pathways and/or microcirculatory disturbances, whereas NO dysregulation may participate in later events, including protein nitration and epithelial apoptosis.     

Proapoptotic nitric oxide production in amyloid beta protein-treated cerebral microvascular endothelial cells

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of amyloid beta protein (Abeta) on cerebral microvascular endothelium, and their possible involvement in Abeta-induced apoptosis in the neighboring cells. METHODS: Cultured bovine brain microvascular endothelial cells (BBECs) were incubated with Abeta for 24 h. Production of nitric oxide (NO) was assessed by nitric oxide-sensitive fluorescent dye, DAF-2, and the expression of NO synthase (NOS) proteins was examined by Western blotting. Effects of Abeta-treated microvascular endothelium on the DNA damage of the neighboring cells were assessed by single-cell gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Abeta increased the expression of iNOS protein, but did not affect eNOS and nNOS expressions in BBECs. Abeta-treated BBECs showed spontaneous NO production in the presence of L-arginine. The neural cell line PC12 showed marked apoptosis after being co-cultured with Abeta-treated BBECs for 48 h, and the apoptosis was as potent as that induced by the inflammatory stimuli lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma. The DNA damage of PC12 cells evoked by co-culture with Abeta-treated BBECs was prevented by L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester, an inhibitor of NOS. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that Abeta induces the expression of iNOS in BBECs, and that microvascular endothelium-derived NO may induce apoptosis in neighboring neural cells.     

Intestinal endotoxemia plays a central role in development of hepatopulmonary syndrome in a cirrhotic rat model induced by multiple pathogenic factors

AIM： To characterize the correlation between severity of hepatopulmonary syndrome （HPS） and degree of hepatic dysfunction, and to explore how intestinal endotoxemia （IETM） affects the development of HPS in cirrhotic rats.
METHODS： Male Wister rats were fed with a diet containing maize flour, lard, cholesterol, and alcohol and injected subcutaneously with CCl4 oil solution every two days for 8 wk to induce typical cirrhosis and development of HPS. The animals were also given a nitric oxide （NO） production inhibitor, N^ω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester （L-NAME） intraperitoneally, and an iNOS inhibitor, aminoguanidine hydrochloride （AG） via gavage daily from the end of the 4th wk to the end of the 6th or 8th wk, or a HO-1 inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin （ZnPP） intraperitoneally 12 h prior to killing. Blood, liver and lung tissues were sampled.
RESULTS： Histological deterioration of the lung paralleled to that of the liver in the cirrhotic rats. The number of pulmonary capillaries was progressively increased from 6.1 ± 1.1 （count/filed） at the 4th wk to 14.5 ± 2.4 （count/filed） at the 8th wk in the cirrhotic rats. Increased pulmonary capillaries were associated with increased blood levels of lipopolysaccharide （LPS） （0.31 ± 0.08 EU/mL vs control 0.09 ± 0.03 EU/mL）, alanine transferase （ALT, 219.1 ± 17.4 U/L vs control 5.9 ± 2.2 U/L） and portal vein pressure. Compared with normal control animals, the number of total cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） of the cirrhotic rats at the 8th wk was not changed, but the number of macrophages and the ratio of macrophages to total cells were increased by nearly 2-fold, protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） and endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS） started to increase significantly at the 4th wk, and reached its peak at the 8th wk in the lung of cirrhotic rats. The increase of iNOS expression appeared to be quicker than that of eNOS. NO2^-/NO3^- was also increased, which was cor     

Age-dependent lipopolysaccharide-induced iNOS expression and multiorgan failure in rats: effects of melatonin treatment

Senescence amplifies the sensitivity to endotoxemia, which correlates with increased nitric oxide (NO) levels and mortality. Melatonin displays antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, but its levels decrease with age. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (10 mg/kg) was injected to 3- and 18-month-old rats 6 h before they were killed, and melatonin (60 mg/kg) was injected before and/or after LPS. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and activity, nitrite content, lipoperoxidation (LPO) levels, and serum markers of liver, renal, and metabolic dysfunction, were measured in liver and lung of these animals. An age-dependent increase in iNOS activity, NO content, and LPO levels was observed, and these changes were augmented further by LPS. Melatonin decreased the expression and activity of iNOS, reducing NO and LPO levels to basal values in both septic LPS-treated groups. Liver, kidney, and metabolic dysfunctions were also significantly higher in aged that in young rats and further increased by LPS. Melatonin treatment counteracted these alterations in young and aged septic rats. Melatonin reduced LPS-dependent iNOS expression and multiorgan failure in a similar extent in young and aged rats. Because aged rats showed higher organ and metabolic impairment than young animals in response to LPS, the results also suggest an increased efficacy of the anti-septic properties of melatonin in the aged animals.