Human bone cell cultures: a new model for studying the mechanism of action of calcitonin

An investigation on cell cultures obtained from temporal human bone fragments showed that they provide a suitable model for studying the mechanism involved in calcitonin action on bone cells. Furthermore they demonstrated: a transitory increase in 45Ca uptake that returned to control values ten minutes after the hormone was added; a relation between 45Ca uptake and increased cAMP concentrations when these were measured at the same time intervals; a reproduction of the salmon calcitonin (sCT) effect after incubation of the cultures with either db-cAMP or db-cGMP and inhibition of 45Ca uptake and parallel decrease in cAMP levels with propanol. These results suggest that in human bone cell cultures, sCT acts as a temporary promoter of 45Ca uptake, probably by activating an adenylate-cyclase system through a beta-receptor.     

Calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P in the pharynx and lung of the bullfrog,Rana catesbeiana

Indirect double immunofluorescence labelling in the pharynx and lung of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, demonstrated the occurrence, distribution, and coexistence of two neuropeptides. In the pharynx, immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) were localized in nerve fibers distributed within and just beneath the ciliated epithelium. In the lung, CGRP and SP were localized in nerve fibers in five principal locations: 1) within the smooth muscle layer in the interfaveolar septa; 2) in the luminal thickened edges of the septa; 3) around the pulmonary vasculature; 4) within, and 5) under the ciliated epithelium. Within the smooth muscle layer in the septa, luminal thickened septa, and around blood vessels, almost all fibers showed coexistence of CGRP and SP. Within and just beneath the ciliated epithelium in the thickened septa, all fibers showed coexistence of CGRP and SP. No immunoreactivity for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, neuropeptide Y, galanin, somatostatin, FMRFamide, and leucine-and methionine-enkephalins was detected in the nerve fibers within the larynx and the lung. Together with our previous data, the present findings suggest that peptidergic mechanisms are involved in the regulation of amphibian respiratory systems throughout their life.     

NPY- and CGRP-like immunoreactive nerve fibers in the testis and mesorchium of the toad (Bufo arenarum)

The presence and distribution of peptidergic nerve fibers were studied in the testis and mesorchium of the toad by means of immunohistochemistry. Cryostat sections of the testis and whole-mount preparations of mesorchia were immunostained with antisera to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY). After leaving the mesorchium CGRP-immunoreactive (IR) fibers were seen predominantly running in between the seminiferous tubules. In addition, a small population of CGRP-IR nerve fibers formed thin plexuses around blood vessels. Conversely, NPY-like immunoreactivity predominated in nerve fibers that formed dense plexuses around vessels both in the mesorchium and testis. Additionally, some single NPY-IR nerve fibers could be seen in both structures studied. The functional significance of these peptidergic systems in the testis of the toad remains to be analyzed.     

Mechanisms and therapeutic targets for neuropathic itch

Neuropathic pruritus conditions arise from structural and/or functional damage of the peripheral or central nervous system. Novel findings of pruritus specific mediators and pathways strengthen the specificity theory of pruritus transmission, however electrophysiological studies suggest that focal activation of nociceptors and distinct discharge patterns of primary afferents also contribute to the development of the sensation of pruritus. A complex interplay between excitatory and inhibitory interneurons at spinal level, non-neuronal cells and descending modulation from upper centers contributes to neuronal sensitization and clinically to the chronicity of pruritus, as well as accompanying phenomena such as alloknesis and hyperknesis. Several topical, systemic and non-pharmacological therapeutic approaches directed at distinct targets are currently available.     

吴茱萸次碱软膏对小鼠尾部鳞片银屑病模型的治疗作用

目的：吴茱萸次碱（Rutaecarpa RUT）是芸香科植物吴茱萸的主要成分,它可激活辣椒素受体促进降钙素基因相关肽（CGRP） 等神经递质的释放来发挥药理作用。本实验的目的为观察吴茱萸次碱软膏对小鼠银屑病模型治疗作用。方法：通过药剂学方法制 成了不同浓度（2%, 5%, 10%）RUT 软膏,在小鼠尾部与背部银屑病模型给药14 天,观察小鼠尾部颗粒层形成的变化,给药结束后 取小鼠背部皮肤组织匀浆后采用放射免疫方法检测CGRP水平变化,并且取小鼠血浆检测CGRP水平变化。结果：不同浓度的吴 茱萸次碱软膏均能促进小鼠尾部颗粒层形成（P<0.05）,并且浓度为5%与10%的RUT 软膏能显著降低小鼠背部CGRP 含量（P<0. 05）,但是其对小鼠血浆的CGRP 没有影响。结论：吴茱萸次碱外用对小鼠银屑病模型有一定的治疗作用,这种作用与其促进小鼠 皮肤CGRP 释放而导致其含量降低有关。     

结直肠癌患者手术前后血清PCT、ADPN和 IL 6水平变化及其与肠道菌群失调的相关性

目的探讨结直肠癌患者手术前后血清降钙素(PCT)、白介素6(IL-6)和人脂联素(ADPN)的水平变化及其与肠道菌群失调的相关性。方法选取我院2016年3月至2018年10月收治的120例择期进行手术的结直肠癌患者为研究对象,其中肠道菌群正常者49例,Ⅰ度菌群失调者46例,Ⅱ度菌群失调者25例。比较3类患者一般资料、手术前后血清PCT、ADPN和IL-6水平之间的差异,分析血清PCT、ADPN和IL-6水平与菌群失调之间的相关性。结果 3类患者年龄、侵袭深度、临床分型、DUKE分期之间的差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。治疗后,不同程度菌群失调患者血清PCT、ADPN和IL-6之间的差异有统计学意义(均P0.05)。经两两比较,血清ADPN随患者菌群异常程度的升高而降低,PCT、IL-6随患者菌群异常程度的升高而升高(均P0.05)。随着患者菌群失调情况的加重,患者肠道球菌数量增加,杆菌数量降低(均P0.05)。患者血清PCT、ADPN水平与患者肠道乳杆菌、双歧杆菌以及真杆菌数量呈正相关(r=0.352、0.699、0.223、0.165、0.356、0.621,P=0.035、0.002、0.001、0.045、0.003、0.001),与肠球菌数量呈负相关(r=-0.756、-0.465,P=0.002、0.002)。患者血清IL-6水平与患者的乳杆菌、双歧杆菌以及真杆菌数量呈负相关(r=-0.263、-0.362、-0.250,P=0.012、0.022、0.001),与肠球菌数量呈正相关(r=0.175,P=0.002)。结论结直肠癌患者手术后血清ADPN、IL-6显著下降,PCT显著升高,且随着患者菌群失调程度的变化而变化,提示可将益生菌治疗作为降低局部炎性反应的措施之一。     

Developing novel hCT derived cell-penetrating peptides with improved metabolic stability

Many promising therapeutics are currently awaiting their clinical application. Due to their low capability of cell membrane crossing, these compounds do not reach their site of action. One way to overcome this problem might be the fusion of these agents to cell-penetrating peptides (CPP), which are able to shuttle various cargoes across cellular membranes. One disadvantage in using CPP in drug delivery is their low metabolic stability. The aim of our work was to increase the proteolytic resistance of the CPP hCT(9-32), a truncated C-terminal fragment of human calcitonin. Thus, we synthesised six modified N-terminally carboxyfluorescein labelled hCT(9-32) derivatives by replacing positions 12 and/or 16 of hCT(9-32) with either N-methylphenylalanine or d-phenylalanine, respectively. By using confocal laser scanning microscopy we showed that the modifications did neither affect the peptide internalisation efficiency in HeLa nor HEK 293T cells. The metabolic stability of the peptides was investigated in human blood plasma and HEK 293T cell culture supernatant. To analyse the degradation patterns, we used RP-HPLC and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. However, we found for all of the new derivatives high metabolic stabilities. In blood plasma, the half-lives for five of the six peptides increased compared to unmodified hCT(9-32). The degradation patterns showed a distinct stabilisation in the N-terminal part of the modified peptides, in the C-terminal part, we found some cleavage to a minor extent. Furthermore, we studied the conformation of the peptides by CD spectroscopy and demonstrated that they possess no cell toxicity. Since our metabolically more stable compounds are still able to pass the cell membrane they provide powerful tools as drug delivery vectors.     

Calcitonin gene-related peptide regulates mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway to decrease transforming growth factor β1-induced hepatic plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 mRNA expression in HepG2 cells

Transforming growth factor (TGF) β1-induced plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 is one of factors associated with the development of hepatic fibrosis. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) shows hepatoprotective effect during hepatic injuries, including fibrosis. However, the effects of CGRP on PAI-1 expression induced by TGFβ1 are unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of CGRP on TGFβ1-induced PAI-1 expression and its regulatory mechanisms in HepG2 cells. CGRP inhibited TGFβ1-induced PAI-1 expression. H89, a protein kinase A inhibitor, abolished the inhibition of TGFβ1-induced PAI-1 expression by CGRP. TGFβ1 activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), including extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-jun NH₂-terminal kinase, and p38, and this activation was abolished by CGRP. These results show that the CGRP-induced cAMP/PKA activation suppresses activation of MAPK induced by TGFβ1, leading to decreased PAI-1 expression in HepG2 cells.     

即刻电针介入对IBS模型大鼠血浆ET,CGRP水平及结肠ETR-A,CGRPmRNA表达的影响

目的：比较即刻电针天枢穴、足三里穴对肠易激综合征（ms）模型大鼠血浆降钙基因相关肽（CGRP）、内皮素（ET）水平及结肠组织中内皮素受体A（ETR－A）、CGRPmRNA表达的影响,旨在探讨电针即刻治疗IBS的部分机制。方法：采用WISTAR幼鼠制备肠易激综合征模型,随机分为空白对照组、模型组、天枢组、足三里组,每组8只。空白对照组不作任何处理,模型组只束缚不针刺,天枢组和足三里组在实验第8周电针治疗一次,留针20min。治疗结束后处死大鼠,取大鼠血浆及部分结肠组织进行生物活性物质检测。采用酶联免疫法检测血浆中CGRP、ET、结肠组织中ETR—A的含量,采用RT—PCR法检测结肠组织中CGRPmRNA表达。结果：（1）即刻电针对IBS模型大鼠血浆CGRP、ET水平的影响：与空白对照组比较,模型组CGRP水平明显降低（P〈0．01）;与模型组比较,天枢组、足三里组CGRP水平明显升高（P〈0．01）。与空白对照组比较,模型组ET水平升高（P〈0．05）;与模型组比较,天枢组ET水平明显降低（P〈0．01）。（2）即刻电针对IBS模型大鼠结肠组织ETR—A水平的影响：与空白对照组比较,模型组ETR—A水平明显升高（P〈0．01）;与模型组比较,足三里组ETR-A水平明显降低（P〈0．01）。（3）即刻电针对IBS模型大鼠结肠组织CGRPmRNA表达的影响：与空白对照组比较,模型组、天枢组、足三里组CGRPmRNA表达明显增强（P〈0．01,P〈0．05）;与模型组比较,足三里组CGRPmRNA表达减弱（P〈0．05）。结论：即刻电针介入后,能够调节机体的内环境紊乱和CGRP、ET的平衡失调。这种调节作用因穴位不同而具有不同的特点,天枢穴对血浆中CGRP、ET调节作用较强,足三里穴在受体和基因表达方面作用明显。