Andrographolide prevents oxygen radical production by human neutrophils: possible mechanism(s) involved in its anti-inflammatory effect

We have reported that andrographolide (ANDRO), an active component of Andrographis paniculata, inhibits inflammatory responses by rat neutrophils. To further elucidate the possible mechanism(s) underlying the ANDRO's effect, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-induced adhesion and transmigration of isolated peripheral human neutrophils were studied. Pretreatment with ANDRO (0.1 - 10 microM) concentration-dependently prevented fMLP-induced neutrophil adhesion and transmigration. We further examined the up-expression of surface Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18), an essential integrin mediated in neutrophil adhesion and transmigration. ANDRO pretreatment significantly decreased fMLP-induced up-expression of both CD11b and CD18. Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as quick intracellular calcium ([Ca(++)](i)) mobilization induced by fMLP displays two important signalling pathways in regulating the up-expression of Mac-1 by neutrophils. That ANDRO pretreatment diminished fMLP-induced production of H(2)O(2) and O(2)*(-), but failed to block that of [Ca(++)](i) mobilization suggested that the ROS but not [Ca(++)](i) signalling could be modulated by ANDRO. To clarify whether ROS production impeded by ANDRO could be an antagonism of fMLP binding, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), a direct protein kinase C (PKC) activator, was introduced to activate ROS production. PMA triggered remarkable ROS production and adhesion, and were partially reversed by ANDRO. This indicated that a PKC-dependent mechanism might be interfered by ANDRO. We conclude that the prevention of ROS production through, at least in part, modulation of PKC-dependent pathway could confer ANDRO the ability to down-regulate Mac-1 up-expression that is essential for neutrophil adhesion and transmigration.     

Anti-inflammatory effects of the partially purified extract of radix Stephaniae tetrandrae: comparative studies of its active principles tetrandrine and fangchinoline on human polymorphonuclear leukocyte functions

We hypothesized that prevention of neutrophil from activation may underlie the myocardial protective effect of the specially processed extract of radix Stephaniae tetrandrae (SPRST). Inflammatory responses in isolated peripheral human neutrophils were studied in the presence or absence of SPRST. SPRST (1-10 microg/ml) concentration-dependently prevented N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)- or leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4))-induced neutrophil adhesion and transmigration. Comparable results were also observed in neutrophils pretreated with fangchinoline (Fan) or tetrandrine (Tet), two active components in SPRST. It has been reported that neutrophil adhesion/transmigration is mainly Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18)-dependent and could be modulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. SPRST, Tet, and Fan diminished fMLP- or LTB4-induced Mac-1 up-regulation and ROS production. SPRST, Fan, Tet, and verapamil impaired fMLP-induced rapid intracellular alkalization, an essential mechanism for neutrophil ROS production, and [Ca(2+)](i) increment, suggesting that a calcium dependent pathway might be involved. Direct G protein activation by AlF(4)(-) also triggered [Ca(2+)](i) increment and adhesion that could be abolished by pertussis toxin and were partially reversed by SPRST, Fan, and Tet. These results reveal that inhibition of neutrophil adhesion and transmigration may account for SPRST's myocardial protective effect. This effect of SPRST may be mediated by component(s) in addition to Tet and Fan because combination of 0.1 microg/ml of Tet and Fan did not mimic the effect of SPRST. We conclude that SPRST exerts anti-inflammatory effects by interfering with ROS production and Ca(2+) influx through G protein modulation to prevent Mac-1 up-regulation in neutrophil activation.     

槲皮素对心肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及机制研究

目的探讨槲皮素(QU)对心肌缺血再灌注(MI/R)损伤的保护作用及其作用机制。方法采用结扎左冠脉前降支30 min再灌注2 h的方法复制MI/R损伤大鼠模型,随机分为假手术组、模型组、QU组(25、50、100 mg/kg),每组10只,各组于术前1周开始灌胃给药,1次/d。再灌注后取心脏,染色法测定心肌梗死面积;免疫组化法测定心肌组织NF-κB和ICAM-1表达情况;取心肌匀浆,髓过氧化物酶(MPO)法测定中性粒细胞浸润情况。结果QU高、中剂量可分别缩小心肌梗死面积至25.00%、25.31%,与模型组(32.55%)比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);QU各剂量组心肌MPO活力分别降低至185.70、190.66、210.03 U/g,与模型组(311.72 U/g)比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01);QU各剂量组心肌组织ICAM-1阳性区面积百分比分别降至32.08%、32.65%、36.42%,与模型组(42.67%)比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01);QU高、中剂量可使心肌NF-κB的表达水平分别降低至55.23%、54.90%,与模型组(61.05%)比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论QU预处理可保护MI/R所致心肌损伤,其机制与抑制中性粒细胞浸润、下调NF-κB和ICAM-1的表达等有关。     

Prevention of macrophage adhesion molecule-1 (Mac-1)-dependent neutrophil firm adhesion by taxifolin through impairment of protein kinase-dependent NADPH oxidase activation and antagonism of G protein-mediated calcium influx

Taxifolin has been reported to down-regulate the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), a receptor-mediating firm adhesion with beta2 integrin (e.g., Mac-1) expressed on leukocytes. To evaluate whether taxifolin could modulate Mac-1-dependent firm adhesion by neutrophils, and the possible mechanism(s) underlying its anti-inflammatory action, its effects on N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-activated peripheral human neutrophils were studied. Pretreatment with taxifolin (1-100 microM) concentration-dependently diminished fMLP- or (PMA)-induced Mac-1-dependent firm adhesion and upexpression of surface Mac-1. Mobilisation of intracellular calcium and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) signal the upexpression of Mac-1 and firm adhesion by neutrophils. Taxifolin impeded the calcium influx induced by fMLP (a receptor-mediated activator) or AlF(4)(-) (a G protein-mediated activator). Taxifolin also effectively inhibited the fMLP- or PMA-induced ROS production with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) less than 10microM, possibly through impairing the activation of NADPH oxidase, a major ROS-generating enzyme in neutrophils, by restricting the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and protein kinase C (PKC). In conclusion, we propose that impairment of ROS production by NADPH oxidase through interfering with p38 MAPK- and/or PKC-dependent signals, and antagonism of G protein-mediated calcium influx may account for the inhibition of Mac-1-dependent neutrophil firm adhesion that confers taxifolin the anti-inflammatory activity.     

Cardioprotective actions of oligotide, a single stranded polydeoxyribonucleotide complex, in myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion injury.

1. The efficacy of oligotide, a single stranded polydeoxyribonucleotide complex, was examined in a feline model of myocardial ischaemia (MI: 90 min) and reperfusion (R: 270 min). Oligotide (15 mg kg-1 bolus) was administered intravenously 80 min after occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery (i.e., 10 min prior to R) and continued for an additional 280 min (10 mg kg-1 h-1 infusion). 2. Oligotide-treated cats showed significantly smaller myocardial necroses and lower cardiac myeloperoxidase activities (significantly lower neutrophil infiltration) in the necrotic zone as compared to MI+R cats receiving only vehicle. 3. LAD coronary arteries isolated from MI+R cats exhibited a significant endothelial dysfunction (i.e., reduced endothelium-dependent relaxation), and significantly increased adherence of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) ex vivo. However, oligotide significantly preserved endothelial function and attenuated PMN adherence in ischaemic LAD coronary arteries. 4. Oligotide attenuated P-selectin expression on thrombin-stimulated platelets as well as PMN adherence to thrombin-stimulated coronary endothelium. Immunohistochemical examination in vivo revealed that oligotide treatment also significantly inhibited coronary endothelial P-selectin expression after 90 min MI and 20 min R. 5. Oligotide exerted a significant cardioprotection in MI+R injury. The mechanism appears to be related to attenuation of PMN-endothelial interaction and eventual infiltration into the ischaemic myocardium.     

柚皮素对缺血再灌注损伤心肌保护作用的机制研究

目的探讨柚皮素(NAR)对心肌缺血再灌注(MI/R)损伤的保护作用及其作用机制。方法通过结扎左冠脉前降支30 min,再灌注120 min,建立MI/R大鼠模型,随机分为NAR高、中、低剂量组(100、50、25 mg/kg),假手术组,模型组,各10只。各组于术前1周开始腹腔注射给药,1次/d。再灌注后取血清,采用比色法测定肌酸激酶(CK)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性,ELISA法测定肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和白介素-1β(IL-1β)水平;取心脏,染色法测定心肌梗死面积;取心肌匀浆,测定髓过氧化物酶(M PO)活力。结果 NAR高剂量组可使心肌梗死面积缩小至32.91%,与模型组(39.78%)比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);NAR各剂量组血清CK、LDH活性均降低,与模型组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01);NAR各剂量组心肌MPO活力均明显降低(P<0.05或P<0.01);NAR高、中剂量均可降低血清TNF-α和IL-1β水平(P<0.05或P<0.01),低剂量亦可降低血清IL-1β水平(P<0.05)。结论 NAR预处理可保护MI/R所致心肌损伤,其机制与抑制中性粒细胞浸润、减少炎性细胞因子的释放等有关。     

Effect of propranolol on ischemic myocardial damage and left ventricular hypertrophy following permanent coronary artery occlusion or occlusion followed by reperfusion

This study was designed to assess the effect of propranolol for limiting myocardial damage and hypertrophy in rats with permanent coronary artery occlusion or occlusion followed by reperfusion. Rats were subjected to occlusion of the left main coronary artery for 48 h (MI) or 0.5 h of occlusion followed by reperfusion for 47.5 h (MI/R). Myocardial injury was determined by measuring the depletion of creatine phosphokinase (CK) levels from the left ventricular free wall. In comparison to sham-occluded animals, myocardial CK levels were significantly decreased by 40% in MI + vehicle animals and 30% in MI/R + vehicle animals. Propranolol (0.3 mg/kg 1 min before occlusion followed by 1 mg/kg at 4 and 24 h after occlusion) significantly reduced the loss of myocardial CK-specific activity in MI animals, but failed to prevent the loss of CK-specific activity in animals subjected to coronary artery reperfusion. Left ventricular hypertrophy developed to a similar extent in both vehicle-treated MI and MI/R groups. Propranolol had no effect on the myocardial hypertrophy in MI or MI/R animals. Likewise, in MI/R animals no diminution of polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration was seen with propranolol. These data indicate that propranolol had a significant cardioprotective effect in rats with permanent coronary artery occlusion but failed to salvage ischemic tissue, reduce myocardial hypertrophy or mitigate neutrophil infiltration in animals with early reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium. These results suggest that propranolol may afford a significant protection of the ischemic myocardium, but the combination of reperfusion and propranolol may not result in any greater reduction in infarct size than reperfusion alone.     

阿魏酸钠保护大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤的作用机制研究

目的 探讨阿魏酸钠(SF)对心肌缺血再灌注(MI/R)损伤大鼠的保护作用及其机制.方法 40只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、SF高剂量组(40 mg/kg)、SF低剂量组(20 mg/kg),每组10只.采用结扎左冠状动脉前降支30 min再灌注2 h的方法 复制MI/R损伤大鼠模型,造模成功后取心脏测定心肌梗死面积、心肌组织细胞间黏附分子-1(ICAM-1)和核因子-κB(NF-κB)表达情况及髓过氧化物酶(MPO)的活力.结果 SF高、低剂量组心肌梗死面积小于模型组(P<0.05,P<0.01).模型组心肌MPO活力和ICAM-1、NF-κB阳性表达率高于假手术组,SF高、低剂量组均低于模型组(P<0.05,P<0.01).结论 SF对心肌MI/R损伤的保护作用是通过抑制中性粒细胞浸润,下调NF-κB和ICAM-1的表达,抑制炎性反应等途径实现的.     

Suppression of rat neutrophil reactive oxygen species production and adhesion by the diterpenoid lactone andrographolide

The present study was to examine whether andrographolide, a diterpenoid lactone isolated from the anti-inflammatory herbal medicine Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees. (Acanthaceae), has the ability to prevent phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as well as N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-induced adhesion by rat neutrophils. Results demonstrated that PMA (100 ng/ml) induced rapid accumulation of H2O2 and O2. in neutrophils within 30 minutes. Andrographolide (0.1 to 10 microM) pretreatment (10 min, 37 degrees C) significantly attenuated the accumulation of these two oxygen radical metabolites. Administration of andrographolide also significantly prevented fMLP-induced neutrophil adhesion. These data suggest that preventing ROS production and neutrophils adhesion may confer andrographolide the ability to be an anti-inflammatory drug.     

Inhibition of peptidyl arginine deiminase-4 protects against myocardial infarction induced cardiac dysfunction

Peptidyl arginine deiminase-4 (PAD4), a PAD enzyme family member, catalyzes the posttranslational conversion of arginine residues to citrulline in target proteins. Although PAD4 is believed to play a crucial role in various pathological conditions such as infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and ischemic conditions, the effect of PAD4 in myocardial infarction (MI)-induced cardiac injury remains to be examined. Here, we hypothesize that PAD4 contributes to cardiac ischemic injury by exacerbating the inflammatory response and promoting neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation after MI.Permanent left coronary artery ligation, a condition that mimics MI, was performed on male C57BL/6 mice. [(3S,4R)-3-amino-4-hydroxy-1-piperidinyl] [2-[1-(cyclopropylmethyl)-1H-indol-2-yl]-7-methoxy-1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-methanone (GSK484), an inhibitor of PAD4, was delivered via intraperitoneal injection to inhibit PAD4 activity. Cardiac PAD4 expression, tissue injury scoring, neutrophil infiltration, cit-H3 expression, NET formation, inflammatory cytokine secretion, apoptosis, and cardiac function were analyzed.In the current study, we discovered the protective effect of PAD4 inhibition using the PAD4-specific inhibitor GSK484 in cardiomyocytes challenged by MI. GSK484-mediated PAD4 inhibition can moderately preserve ventricle histological structure and myocardium integrity after MI, thereby reducing the infarct size and decreasing myocardial enzyme levels in serum. PAD4 inhibition also effectively protects cardiomyocytes from MI-induced NET formation and inflammatory cytokine secretion, in turn alleviating cardiac ischemia-induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.Collectively, these findings demonstrate the efficacy of specific PAD4 inhibition in reducing MI-induced neutrophil infiltration, NET formation, inflammatory reaction, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, thereby increasing overall cardiac function improvement. These results provide novel insights for the development of new strategies to treat cardiovascular dysfunction in MI patients.     

白介素8和兔心肌缺血/再灌注损伤研究

目的 探讨白介素8(rhIL-8)参与兔心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的机制,为减轻再灌注损伤探索新的治疗途径。方法 结扎兔冠状动脉左前降支(left anterior descending coronary artery,LAD)造成缺血1小时,再灌注3.5小时。实验分两组:缺血/再灌注组(MI/R,n=8)和假结扎组(Sham MI/R,n=8)。结果 MI/R组发生严重的心肌损伤,包括受累心肌髓过氧化物酶(myeloperoxidase,MPO)活性增大和血清肌酸磷酸激酶-MB同工酶(CPK-MB)、异构前列腺素(eoi-PGF_(2α))水平增高(均P<0.01)。血清IL-8浓度逐渐升高,免疫组化示受损心肌区血管内皮基底膜呈IL-8阳性染色。结论 血管内皮细胞释放的IL-8是吸引中性粒细胞浸润于缺血区心肌,造成缺血/再灌注损伤的因素之一。     

Rho-kinase regulates adhesive and mechanical mechanisms of pulmonary recruitment of neutrophils in abdominal sepsis

We hypothesized that Rho-kinase signaling plays a role in mechanical and adhesive mechanisms of neutrophil accumulation in lung. Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 prior to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Lung levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and histological tissue damage were determined 6h and 24h after CLP. Expression of Mac-1 and F-actin formation in neutrophils were quantified by using flow cytometry 6h after CLP. Mac-1 expression and F-actin formation were also determined in isolated neutrophils up to 3h after stimulation with CXCL2. Labeled and activated neutrophils co-incubated with Y-27632, an anti-Mac-1 antibody and cytochalasin B were adoptively transferred to CLP mice. Y-27632 reduced the CLP-induced pulmonary injury and MPO activity as well as Mac-1 on neutrophils. Neutrophil F-actin formation peaked at 6h and returned to baseline levels 24h after CLP induction. Rho-kinase inhibition decreased CLP-provoked F-actin formation in neutrophils. CXCL2 rapidly increased Mac-1 expression and F-actin formation in neutrophils. Co-incubation with Y-27632 abolished CXCL2-induced Mac-1 up-regulation and formation of F-actin in neutrophils. Notably, co-incubation with cytochalasin B inhibited formation of F-actin but did not reduce Mac-1 expression on activated neutrophils. Adoptive transfer experiments revealed that co-incubation of neutrophils with the anti-Mac-1 antibody or cytochalasin B significantly decreased pulmonary accumulation of neutrophils in septic mice. Our data show that targeting Rho-kinase effectively reduces neutrophil recruitment and tissue damage in abdominal sepsis. Moreover, these findings demonstrate that Rho-kinase-dependent neutrophil accumulation in septic lung injury is regulated by both adhesive and mechanical mechanisms.     

Berberine in combination with yohimbine attenuates sepsis-induced neutrophil tissue infiltration and multiorgan dysfunction partly via IL-10-mediated inhibition of CCR2 expression in neutrophils

Infiltration of activated neutrophils into the vital organs contributes to the multiple organ dysfunctions in sepsis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of berberine in combination with yohimbine (BY) on neutrophil tissue infiltration and multiple organ damage during sepsis, and further elucidated the involved mechanisms. Sepsis was induced in mice by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). BY or CCR2 antagonist was administered 2 h after CLP, and anti-IL-10 antibody (IL-10 Ab) or control IgG was injected intraperitoneally just before BY treatment. We found that IL-10 production was enhanced by BY therapy in septic mice. BY significantly attenuated neutrophil tissue infiltration and multiple organ injury in CLP-challenged mice, all of which were completely reversed by IL-10 Ab pretreatment. The levels of KC, MCP-1, MIP-1α and MIP-2 in the lung, liver and kidney were markedly increased 6 h after CLP. BY reduced the tissue concentrations of these chemokines in septic mice, but IL-10 Ab pretreatment did not completely eliminate these inhibitory effects of BY. Particularly, dramatically increased CCR2 expression in circulating neutrophils of septic mice was reduced by BY and this effect was completely abolished by IL-10 Ab pretreatment. Furthermore, CCR2 antagonist also inhibited lung and renal injury and neutrophil infiltration in septic mice. Taken together, our data strongly suggest that BY therapy attenuates neutrophil tissue infiltration and multiple organ injury in septic mice, at least in part, via IL-10-mediated inhibition of CCR2 expression in circulating neutrophils.     

Prmt1 upregulated by Hdc deficiency aggravates acute myocardial infarction via NETosis

Neutrophils are mobilized and recruited to the injured heart after myocardial infarction, and neutrophil count has been clinically implicated to be associated with coronary disease severity. Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) has been implicated in regulating reactive oxidative species (ROS) and the differentiation of myeloid cells. However, the effect of HDC on neutrophils after myocardial infarction remains unclear. Here, we found that neutrophils were disorderly recruited into the ischemic injured area of the myocardium of Hdc deficiency (Hdc^?/?) mice. Moreover, Hdc deficiency led to attenuated adhesion but enhanced migration and augmented ROS/neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) production in neutrophils. Hdc^?/? mouse-derived NETs promoted cardiomyocyte death and cardiac fibroblast proliferation/migration. Furthermore, protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) was increased in Hdc^?/? mouse-derived neutrophils but decreased with exogenous histamine treatment. Its expression could be rescued by blocking histamine receptor 1 (H1R), inhibiting ATP synthesis or reducing SWItch/sucrose non fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex. Accordingly, histamine or MS023 treatment could decrease ROS and NETs ex vivo, and ameliorated cardiac function and fibrosis, along with the reduced NETs in plasma in vivo. Together, our findings unveil the role of HDC in NETosis by histamine–H1R–ATP–SWI/SNF–PRMT1–ROS signaling and provide new biomarkers and targets for identifying and tuning the detrimental immune state in cardiovascular disease.     

Inhibition of Mac-1-dependent leukocyte adhesion by Y-24180, an anti-inflammatory agent, in mice

Y-24180 (4-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-[2-(4-isobutylphenyl)ethyl]-6,9-dimethyl-6H-thieno[3,2-f][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]-diazepine), an antagonist of platelet-activating factor (PAF), has been already clarified to suppress the expression of an adhesion molecule, Mac-1, on human neutrophils in the previous in vitro study. In the present paper, we examined the effect of Y-24180 on in vivo Mac-1 expression on mouse neutrophils using a lipopolysaccharide-induced leukocyte reduction model in which Mac-1-dependent infiltration of neutrophils was involved. Prophylactic oral administration of Y-24180 inhibited the induction of Mac-1-strongly positive neutrophils by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide and prevented the reduction of leukocyte number. In contrast, WEB 2086 (3-[4-(2-chlorophenyl)-9-methyl-6H-thieno[3,2-f][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]diazepine-2-yl]-1-(4-morpholinyl)-1-propanone), another PAF antagonist, showed little effect. PAF injection failed to induce the Mac-1-strongly positive neutrophils in peripheral blood and the reduction of circulating leukocytes, indicating that PAF was not concerned with the lipopolysaccharide-induced up-regulation of Mac-1 expression and leukocyte reduction. Y-24180 inhibited the leukocyte infiltration also in the thioglycollate medium-induced peritonitis, which was mediated by Mac-1-dependent leukocyte adhesion. These results indicate that Y-24180 inhibits the leukocyte infiltration into the inflamed sites by suppressing Mac-1 expression on leukocytes in vivo and can contribute to the improvement of inflammatory diseases in which the Mac-1-dependent leukocyte adhesion is involved.     

白藜芦醇预处理对心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的:观察白藜芦醇预处理对心肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用.方法:45只雄性SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、缺血再灌组及白藜芦醇预处理组,结扎左冠状动脉制作心肌缺血再灌注模型,比较各组左室最大收缩压(LVSP)、左室等容收缩/舒张期压力上升最大速率(LVdP/dtmax),心肌一氧化氮(NO)、丙二醛(MDA)含量变化及心肌梗死范围.结果:白藜芦醇预处理组LVSP、LVdP/dtmax较缺血再灌组显著升高,心肌NO含量显著升高、MDA含量则显著降低,心肌梗死范围明显减小.结论:白藜芦醇预处理对心肌缺血再灌注损伤有明显保护作用,其机制与白藜芦醇抗氧化、清除自由基及增加NO合成有关.     

Mechanisms in mediating the anti-inflammatory effects of baicalin and baicalein in human leukocytes

To evaluate the possible mechanisms responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of baicalin or baicalein, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)- or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-activated inflammatory responses of peripheral human leukocytes were studied. Both baicalin and baicalein diminished fMLP- or PMA-induced reactive oxygen intermediates production in neutrophils or monocytes. Neither baicalin nor baicalein prevented the protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent assembly of the NADPH oxidase. Conversely, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was inhibited by baicalin or baicalein. fMLP-induced activation of leukocytes, as reflected by increased surface expression of Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) and Mac-1-dependent neutrophil adhesion, were also inhibited by baicalin or baicalein. Furthermore, baicalein, but not baicalin, impeded fMLP- or AlF(4)(-)-induced Ca(2+) influx. We conclude that impairment of reactive oxygen intermediates production, through scavenging reactive oxygen intermediates by baicalin, or antagonizing ligand-initiated Ca(2+) influx by baicalein, accounts for the inhibition of Mac-1-dependent leukocyte adhesion that confers the anti-inflammatory activity of baicalin or baicalein.     

Magnolol reduces myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury via neutrophil inhibition in rats.

The accumulation of oxygen-free radicals and activation of neutrophils are strongly implicated as important pathophysiological mechanisms mediating myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. It has been proven that various antioxidants have cardioprotective effects. Magnolol, an active component extracted from the Chinese medicinal herb Magnolia officinalis, possesses potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. In this study, the cardioprotective activity of magnolol was evaluated in an open-chest anesthetized rat model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. The results demonstrated that pretreatment with magnolol (0.2 and 0.5 microg/kg, i.v. bolus) at 10 min before 45 min of left coronary artery occlusion, significantly suppressed the incidence of ventricular fibrillation and mortality when compared with the control group. Magnolol (0.2 and 0.5 microg/kg) also significantly reduced the total duration of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. After 1 h of reperfusion, pretreatment with magnolol (0.2 and 0.5 microg/kg) caused a significant reduction in infarct size. In addition, magnolol (0.2 microg/kg) significantly reduced superoxide anion production and myeloperoxidase activity, an index of neutrophil infiltration in the ischemic myocardium. In addition, pretreatment with magnolol (0.2 and 0.5 microg/kg) suppressed ventricular arrhythmias elicited by reperfusion following 5 min of ischemia. In vitro studies of magnolol (5, 20 and 50 microM) significantly suppressed N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP; 25 nM)-activated human neutrophil migration in a concentration-dependent manner. It is concluded that magnolol suppresses ischemia- and reperfusion-induced ventricular arrhythmias and reduces the size of the infarct resulting from ischemia/reperfusion injury. This pronounced cardioprotective activity of magnolol may be mediated by its antioxidant activity and by its capacity for neutrophil inhibition in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion.     

Leukocyte and endothelial adhesion molecule studies in knockout mice

Ischemia and reperfusion of the myocardium initiate an inflammatory response directed against the myocardium, and many studies attribute a significant portion of this injury to leukocytes. Leukocyte and endothelial cell adhesion molecules are responsible for neutrophil-endothelial cell interactions in coronary vasculature following ischemia and reperfusion. Interactions between beta(2)-integrins and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 are responsible for firm adhesion of neutrophils to the coronary endothelium in acute cardiac inflammation. Leukocyte-expressed CD18 plays a crucial role, and genetic deficiency of CD18 significantly attenuates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Genetic deficiency of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 also minimizes myocardial necrosis following ischemia and reperfusion. The selectin family of adhesion glycoproteins also participates in various phases of leukocyte-endothelial interactions, and studies with P-selectin- and E-selectin-deficient mice have shown attenuation of both neutrophil accumulation and myocardial injury following myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.     

巨噬细胞分化在心肌梗死后心脏重构中的作用研究

目的探讨巨噬细胞分化在心肌梗死后心脏重构中的作用。方法 34只雄性C57BL/6J野生小鼠随机分成对照组(6只)和心肌梗死组(28只),心肌梗死组结扎小鼠左冠状动脉前降支构建心肌梗死模型,对照组只穿线不结扎。苏木素-伊红(HE)染色、免疫组织化学染色及实时定量反转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)观察心肌梗死术后1、3、7 d巨噬细胞浸润、分化及炎症因子分泌,马松染色、免疫组织化学染色观察心肌梗死28 d后心脏重构情况。结果术后1 d超声结果示造模成功,心肌梗死7 d存活率为64%(18/28),HE染色示心肌梗死后炎症细胞浸润增多,免疫组织化学半乳糖凝集素-2(MAC-2)、精氨酸酶-1(Arg-1)、诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)染色及RT-PCR结果示心肌梗死后Mac-2+细胞、iNOS+细胞、Arg-1+细胞在1、3、7 d均升高,其中iNOS+细胞数目在第7天最高,Arg-1+细胞数目在第3天最高,趋化因子、炎症因子分泌均增加,其中单核细胞趋化蛋白-1(MCP-1)在第3天最高,转化生长因子(TGF)-β、白细胞介素(IL)-1β、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α在第7天最高,马松染色、免疫组织化学α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)提示心肌梗死28 d发生心脏重构(均P<0.01)。结论心肌梗死后发生炎症反应,巨噬细胞浸润逐渐增多,炎症早期以经典活化型为主,炎症晚期以替代活化型为主,炎症因子分泌逐渐增多,促进α-SMA+肌成纤维细胞形成,引起晚期心脏重构。