Erythromycin ameliorates renal injury via anti-inflammatory effects in experimental diabetic rats

Aims/hypothesis Recent studies have shown that the inflammatory process is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Fourteen-membered ring macrolides, including erythromycin, have anti-inflammatory, as well as antibacterial effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the renoprotective effects of erythromycin in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.Methods STZ-induced diabetic rats were treated orally with erythromycin (5 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle every day for 8 weeks. To evaluate the effect of erythromycin treatment, we measured urinary albumin excretion, and examined the following in the kidney: histological changes, the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), macrophage infiltration, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-B) activity.Results Erythromycin significantly reduced urinary albumin excretion without affecting blood glucose levels and blood pressure. Erythromycin also attenuated glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial expansion, macrophage infiltration and ICAM-1 expression in renal tissues. The expression of the gene encoding TGFB1 (also known as TGF-1), type IV collagen protein production and NF-B activity in renal tissues were increased in diabetic rats and reduced by erythromycin treatment.Conclusions/interpretation Erythromycin prevented renal injuries without changes of blood glucose levels and blood pressure in experimental diabetic rats. These results suggest that the renoprotective effects of erythromycin are based on its anti-inflammatory effect via suppression of NF-B activation. Modulation of microinflammation with erythromycin may provide a new approach for diabetic nephropathy.     

Effects of resveratrol in experimental and clinical non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

The prevalence of obesity and related conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is increasing worldwide and therapeutic options are limited.Alternative treatment options are therefore intensively sought after.An interesting candidate is the natural polyphenol resveratrol(RSV) that activates adenosinmonophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK) and silent information regulation-2 homolog 1(SIRT1).In addition,RSV has known anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.Here,we review the current evidence for RSVmediated effects on NAFLD and address the different aspects of NAFLD and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH) pathogenesis with respect to free fatty acid(FFA) flux from adipose tissue,hepatic de novo lipogenesis,inadequate FFA β-oxidation and additional intra- and extrahepatic inflammatory and oxidant hits.We review the in vivo evidence from animal studies and clinical trials.The abundance of animal studies reports a decrease in hepatic triglyceride accumulation,liver weight and a general improvement in histological fatty liver changes,along with a reduction in circulating insulin,glucose and lipid levels.Some studies document AMPK or SIRT1 activation,and modulation of relevant markers of hepatic lipogenesis,inflammation and oxidation status.However,AMPK/SIRT1-independent actions are also likely.Clinical trials are scarce and have primarily been performed with a focus on overweight/obese participants without a focus on NAFLD/NASH and histological liver changes.Future clinical studies with appropriate design are needed to clarify the true impact of RSV treatment in NAFLD/NASH patients.     

Solid and liquid state characterization of tetrahydrocurcumin using XRPD,FT-IR,DSC, TGA,LC-MS,GC-MS,and NMR and its biological activities

Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) is one of the major metabolites of curcumin (CUR), an ancient bioactive natural polyphenolic compound. This research article describes both the solid and liquid state characterization of THC using advanced spectroscopic and thermo-analytical techniques. Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and neuroprotective activities of THC were investigated using in vitro cell lines. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed that our sample comprised 95.15% THC, 0.51% tetrahydrodemethoxycurcumin (THDC), 3.40% hexahydrocurcumin, and 0.94% octahydrocurcumin. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis indicated the presence of 96.68% THC and 3.32% THDC. THC in solution existed as keto-enol tautomers in three different forms at different retention time, but the enol form was found to be dominant, which was also supported by nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. THC was thermally stable up to 335.55 °C. THC exhibited more suppression of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and MIP-1α) than CUR in a concentration-dependent manner in mouse splenocytes, while NK-cell and phagocytosis activity was increased in macrophages. THC showed a significant reduction of free radicals (LPO) along with improved antioxidant enzymes (SOD and catalase) and increased free radical scavenging activity against ABTS⁺ radicals in HepG2 cells. THC displayed higher protection capability than CUR from oxidative stress and neuronal damage by improving cell viability against H₂O₂ induced HepG2 cells and MPP⁺ induced SH-SY5Y cells, respectively, in a concentration-dependent manner. Thus, a variation of the biological activities of THC might rely on its keto-enol form and the presence of other THC analogs as impurities. The present study could be advantageous for further research on THC for better understanding its physicochemical properties and biological variation.     

人胎盘底蜕膜间充质干细胞抗炎特性对帕金森病模型大鼠的神经保护作用

目的 研究人胎盘底蜕膜间充质干细胞(hPDB-MSCs)抗炎特性对帕金森病(PD)模型大鼠多巴胺能神经元的影响. 方法 体外培养hPDB-MSCs,6-羟基多巴(6-OHDA)制备大鼠PD模型并按照随机数字表法分为模型组与移植组,每组32只.hPDB-MSCs尾静脉移植观察各组大鼠行为学改变.免疫组化检测移植后3d、1周、2周及4周各组大鼠损伤侧黑质酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)、离子钙接头蛋白(Ibal)表达.实时荧光定量PCR检测各时间点各组大鼠损伤侧黑质抗炎因子人白细胞介素-10 (hIL-10)、人转化生长因子-β(hTGF-β)及肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)表达. 结果 hPDB-MSCs移植后1周、2周、4周,移植组大鼠阿朴吗啡诱导的平均旋转圈数明显低于模型组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).免疫组化结果显示移植组大鼠损伤侧黑质部位TH阳性细胞数较模型组明显增加,1周、2周、4周时差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).移植组大鼠损伤侧黑质部位Ibal阳性细胞则明显减少,4周时最为显著.mRNA水平,移植组大鼠hIL-10及hTGF-β表达均较模型组增加,而TNF-α表达量则逐渐降低. 结论 hPDB-MSCs尾静脉移植后能够通过抗炎机制抑制PD模型大鼠多巴胺能神经元丧失,改善PD模型大鼠症状.     

KLF2的抗动脉粥样硬化的研究进展

KLF2是近年新被发现的转录因子。因其在肺高表达,故又被称为LKLF2。其主要机能是稳定胸腺T细胞,调控T细胞的归巢和成熟,并参与生物体细胞分化和血管形成过程,在生物体的天然免疫及组织器官形成方面发挥重要的保护作用。近年研究报道了,KLF2具有抗炎症、保护内皮、抗凝血防止血栓形成及抗氧化机能,参与抗动脉粥样硬化防御调控。随着研究的不断深入,其将可能成为心血管疾病防治的重要防御标志因子。     

急性坏死性筋膜炎诊治体会

目的 总结坏死性筋膜炎(necrotizing fasciitis,NF)的临床诊断和治疗经验. 方法 回顾性分析中国医科大学附属第一医院2006-2012年24例坏死性筋膜炎的临床资料,并总结诊治体会.结果 本组24例坏死性筋膜炎患者,其中男19例,女5例;年龄25 ～ 72岁,平均年龄(54±12)岁.发病部位:会阴部、臀部16例,左下肢3例,背部2例,右下肢2例,右下肢及左背部l例.治疗方法:24例均采取广泛切开引流、彻底清创及有效的抗生素治疗,其中输白蛋白13例,输血9例,应用肠外营养19例,接受高压氧治疗15例.24例中一期治愈17例(70.83％),二期植皮4例(16.67％),复发2例(8.33％),死亡1例(4.17％).结论 坏死性筋膜炎起病较急,进展迅速,必须尽早确诊,给予有效抗生素治疗的同时强调早期切开引流、彻底清创,并要加强临床护理及相关营养等支持疗法.     

Changes in nutrient intake and inflammation following an anti-inflammatory diet in spinal cord injury

Objective: The objective of the current study was to describe the observed changes in nutrient intakes following a 3-month anti-inflammatory diet, and to explore potential relationships between the change in nutrients and the change in various inflammatory mediators.

Design: A secondary analysis of a prior randomized controlled clinical trial.

Setting: Individuals with SCI within the Niagara region.

Participants: Twenty individuals with various levels and severities of SCI.

Intervention: Three-month anti-inflammatory diet.

Outcome Measures: The change in nutrient intake and corresponding changes to various inflammatory mediators.

Results: The treatment group demonstrated a significant reduction in fat intake (P?=?0.02), a significant increase in protein intake (P?=?0.02), and no change in carbohydrates (P?=?0.23) or energy intake (P?=?0.10). The treatment group showed a significant increase in some nutrients with established anti-inflammatory properties including vitamins A, C, and E, and omega-3 fatty acids (P?<?0.01). Significant reductions in proinflammatory nutrients were observed including trans fatty acids (P?=?0.05), caffeine (P?<?0.01), and sodium (P?=?0.02). The treatment group also showed significant reductions in the proinflammatory mediators interferon-y (P?=?0.01), interleukin-1β (P?<?0.01), and interleukin-6 (P?<?0.05). Further, several proinflammatory mediators were negatively correlated with anti-inflammatory nutrients, including vitamin A, carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc.

Conclusion: This study provides evidence that dietary alterations are effective at reducing chronic inflammation in individuals with SCI and provides a preliminary assessment of the related nutrient changes.     

扁咽口服液抗炎及其对急性咽炎模型大鼠治疗作用的实验研究

目的观察评价扁咽口服液的抗炎作用,并考察其对急性咽炎的治疗作用和对常见呼吸道病原菌的抑菌活性。方法运用小鼠耳廓肿胀实验、大鼠足肿胀实验和小鼠腹腔白细胞游走实验,评价扁咽口服液的抗炎作用;并采用大鼠急性咽炎模型,观察扁咽口服液的治疗作用;采用平皿法测定扁咽口服液对常见呼吸道病原菌的最低抑菌浓度。结果扁咽口服液可显著降低二甲苯引起的小鼠耳廓肿胀度,减轻角叉菜胶所致大鼠的足肿胀(P<0.05或P<0.01);扁咽口服液高、中剂量显著降低羧甲基纤维素钠致小鼠腹腔白细胞游走(P<0.05);扁咽口服液可减轻急性咽炎模型大鼠咽部黏膜的炎症表现,缓解急性咽炎症状,并且随着药物剂量的增加,其抗炎作用和对咽部黏膜的改善作用均增强。扁咽口服液对金黄色葡萄球菌、肺炎克雷伯菌、大肠杆菌、肺炎链球菌、乙型溶血性链球菌均较为敏感,其最小抑菌浓度分别为56、28、56、28、14 mg/mL。结论扁咽口服液具有良好的抗炎作用,对急性咽炎有明显的疗效。     

间充质干细胞治疗支气管肺发育不良的研究进展

支气管肺发育不良( bronchopulmonary dysplasia,BPD)常见于早产儿。20世纪80年代以来随着医疗技术的提高,早产儿成活率逐渐升高,同时BPD发病率也逐渐增加。目前,BPD的常规治疗并不理想,故亟需寻求一种新创性疗法减轻BPD造成的呼吸系统损伤,提高生活质量。近年来,间充质干细胞( mesenchymal stem cell,MSC)的研究为BPD的治疗提供了新切入点。该文就MSC治疗BPD的可能作用机制及目前研究现状进行了初步探讨。