猪源乳杆菌Lactobacillus reuteri strain DSM和Lactobacillus taiwanensis strain BCRC对肠道炎症的影响

[目的] 旨在以葡聚糖硫酸钠（DSS）诱导小鼠肠炎模型研究猪源乳杆菌Lactobacillus reuteri strain DSM（LR）和Lactobacillus taiwanensis strain BCRC（LT）对肠道炎症的影响。[方法] 选取24只8周龄体重相近的C57BL/6J雄性小鼠,随机分为4组（每组6个重复）：正常对照组、DSS组、LR菌处理组（DSS+LR）和LT菌处理组（DSS+LT）。适应期7 d,试验期16 d,随后处死小鼠并采样。[结果] 与正常对照组相比,DSS组小鼠体重、结肠长度显著降低,疾病活动指数（DAI）显著增加（P<0.05）;与DSS组相比,LR、LT菌处理组小鼠体重下降的程度并没有显著缓解,但是,其DAI评分显著降低;并且,LT菌处理组结肠长度显著增加（P<0.05）。正常对照组和LT菌处理组结肠组织病理学评分显著低于DSS组和LR菌处理组（P<0.05）。结肠髓过氧化物酶（MPO）活性在正常对照组和LT菌处理组也显著低于DSS组（P<0.05）,在LR菌处理组与DSS组无显著差异（P>0.05）。与正常对照组相比,DSS组结肠和血浆的促炎因子TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6水平显著升高,而抗炎因子IL-10水平显著降低;相比于DSS组,LT菌处理组显著降低了结肠和血浆的TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6水平,升高了IL-10水平;LR菌处理组显著降低了结肠TNF-α水平、血浆IL-1β水平,升高IL-10水平（P<0.05）。免疫组化和ELISA结果显示,相比于正常对照组,DSS组降低了结肠紧密连接蛋白Claudin-1、Occludin、ZO-1和黏蛋白Muc-2表达水平,而LR或LT菌的处理则上调了DSS影响下的屏障相关蛋白表达。16S rDNA测序技术检测结肠菌群组成,PCoA分析得出,正常对照组和DSS组显著分离,LT处理组菌群组成更接近于正常对照组。门水平上,变形菌门丰度在正常对照组显著低于DSS组（P<0.05）;与DSS组相比,LT菌处理组也能降低变形菌门丰度,但未达显著水平（P>0.05）。属水平上,Muribaculaceae_norank属在正常对照组显著高于其他3组,Bacteroides在正常对照组显著低于其他3组（P<0.05）;与DSS组相比,LR或LT菌的处理增加了Muribaculaceae_norank丰度,降低了Bacteroides菌丰度,但差异不显著（P>0.05）。[结论] 乳杆菌Lactobacillus reuteri和Lactobacillus taiwanensis能增强肠上皮屏障,对DSS引起的肠道炎症起到了一定的缓解作用;其中,Lactobacillus taiwanensis对肠上皮屏障的保护效果更为明显。     

结直肠癌小鼠肠道菌群变化与巨噬细胞极化的相关性分析

摘要 目的：宏基因测序分析结直肠癌小鼠肠道菌群变化与巨噬细胞极化的相关性。方法：将3周龄APCmin/+小鼠和野生型C57/6J小鼠分成结直肠癌组（CRC组,n=8）和正常对照组（NC组,n=7）,高脂饮食喂养8周收集粪便宏基因测序分析肠道菌群变化,免疫组化（IHC）检测肿瘤组织M2巨噬细胞极化。结果：HE病理显示CRC组小鼠造模成功,肿瘤数量显著多于NC组（P<0.05）。α多样性显示CRC组菌群多样性高于NC组,菌群丰富度无显著差异;β多样性显示两组间菌群明显分离。Venn图显示两组间共有物种1620种,NC组和CRC组特有物种分别为109、191种,门水平上两组间以厚壁菌门（74.04％vs 87.56％）和拟杆菌门（20.33％ vs 6.42％）为主;种水平Metastats分析显示艰难梭菌（Clostridioides difficile_A）、弗雷特肯氏菌（Duncaniella freteri）、粪副拟杆菌（Parabacteroides merdae）、内脏拟杆菌（Odoribacter splanchnicus）在两组间具有显著差异（P<0.05）;KEGG功能分析显示CRC组核糖体、糖酵解及糖原生成、氧化磷酸化等通路显著富集;NC组神经活性配体受体相互作用、人类T细胞白血病病毒感染、胆固醇代谢通路显著富集;IHC分析显示CRC组M2巨噬细胞CD206含量高于NC组,Pearson相关性分析显示CRC组内脏拟杆菌丰度与CD206呈正相关（r=0.7799）。结论：CRC小鼠肠道菌群发生显著变化并存在功能差异,不同差异菌群与巨噬细胞极化可能存在一定的相关性。     

双歧杆菌调节VIP/cAMP/PKA和mTOR通路改善溃疡性结肠炎小鼠的实验研究

摘要 目的：探讨双歧杆菌MIMBb75通过调节血管活性肠肽（VIP）/环磷酸腺苷（cAMP）/蛋白激酶A（PKA）和哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白（mTOR）通路对溃疡性结肠炎（UC）小鼠的影响。方法：BALB/c小鼠随机分为正常对照（NC）组、结肠炎模型（UC）组、Mesalazine组和MIMBb75低、高剂量组、MIMBb75高剂量+VIP antagonist组、MIMBb75高剂量+MHY1485组（每组10只）,除NC组外均采用5%葡聚糖硫酸钠（DSS）诱导UC模型。治疗结束后,观察小鼠的一般情况及UC疾病活动指数（DAI）,检测小鼠肠道组织病理损伤、结肠组织中髓过氧化物酶（MPO）活性、肠道菌群多样性（Chao指数、Shannon指数和Simpson指数）及结肠组织VIP、cAMP、PKA、水通道蛋白3（AQP3）、mTOR、核糖体蛋白S6激酶（S6K1）的mRNA和蛋白水平。结果：与UC组相比,MIMBb75低、高剂量组和Mesalazine组小鼠的体重升高、DAI评分降低,组织病理损伤得到改善,结肠长度增加,MPO活性降低,Chao指数、Shannon指数和Simpson指数升高;VIP、cAMP、PKA、AQP3的mRNA水平和VIP、cAMP、AQP3蛋白的表达及PKA的磷酸化水平升高,mTOR和S6K1 mRNA及其蛋白的磷酸化水平降低（P<0.05）。与MIMBb75高剂量组相比,MIMBb75高剂量+VIP antagonist组VIP、cAMP、PKA、AQP3的mRNA水平和VIP、cAMP、AQP3蛋白的表达及PKA的磷酸化水平降低（P<0.05）;MIMBb75高剂量+MHY1485组mTOR和S6K1 mRNA及其蛋白的磷酸化水平升高（P<0.05）。VIP antagonist和MHY1485均能逆转MIMBb75对UC小鼠的保护作用,使其结肠损伤加重,MPO活性增高（P<0.05）。结论：双歧杆菌可改善UC小鼠的结肠损伤,增加肠道菌群的多样性,这可能与激活VIP/cAMP/PKA通路、抑制mTOR通路有关。     

高摄入红肉通过改变肠道菌群加重小鼠溃疡性结肠炎

目的 观察高摄入红肉对小鼠肠道菌群及溃疡性结肠炎（ulcerative colitis,UC）的影响,并探讨可能的发生机制。方法 40只Balb/c小鼠随机分为4组：对照组、高红肉组、DSS组和高红肉+DSS组,每组10只小鼠,对照组、DSS组小鼠给予普通饲料,高红肉组、高红肉+DSS组小鼠给予高红肉饲料,均饲养8周;此8周的最后9天开始对DSS组、高红肉+DSS组小鼠给予3%DSS诱导UC。采用实时荧光定量PCR检测小鼠肠道菌群,采用体质量变化、疾病活动指数及HE染色指标评价小鼠UC严重程度,运用Western Blot方法检测小鼠肠道巨噬细胞M1型极化的特征细胞因子。结果 与对照组相比,高红肉组小鼠肠道厚壁菌门、粪杆菌属及普拉梭菌的丰度显著降低,拟杆菌门、拟杆菌属的丰度显著升高。与DSS组相比,高红肉+DSS组小鼠体质量显著下降,疾病活动指数显著升高,结肠组织病理评分显著升高;与DSS组相比,高红肉+DSS组小鼠TNF-α、IL-1β及IL-6细胞因子表达显著升高。结论 高摄入红肉导致肠道菌群改变加重小鼠UC。     

TEAD1转录本的鉴定及其在鸡前脂肪细胞中的功能研究

目的 TEAD1转录因子1（TEAD1）在前脂肪细胞中表达,但是功能还不清楚。本研究旨在探讨TEAD1的两个转录本对永生化鸡前脂肪细胞系（immortalized chicken preadipocyte 1,ICP1）细胞增殖、迁移、凋亡和分化的影响。方法 克隆TEAD1基因的全长序列,对获得的两个转录本进行生物信息学分析。利用间接免疫荧光分析TEAD1转录本的亚细胞定位。通过RT-qPCR、CCK-8和EdU等方法,检测过表达TEAD1转录本对ICP1细胞增殖的影响。利用划痕实验检测TEAD1转录本对ICP1细胞迁移的影响。利用细胞凋亡-Hoechst染色和RT-qPCR,分析过表达TEAD1转录本对ICP1细胞凋亡的影响。通过RT-qPCR检测TEAD1转录本在不同组织、不同细胞系和ICP1细胞分化过程中的表达。利用油红O染色、BODIPY染色、RT-qPCR、Western blot和双荧光素酶报告基因技术,分析过表达TEAD1转录本对ICP1细胞脂滴积累及成脂相关基因转录的影响。最后,测定过表达TEAD1转录本的ICP1细胞中甘油三酯（TG）含量。结果 克隆TEAD1全长编码区,鉴定出两个TEAD1转录本。TEAD1-V1主要定位于细胞核,TEAD1-V2定位于细胞质与细胞核。过表达TEAD1-V1和TEAD1-V2均抑制ICP1细胞增殖。过表达TEAD1-V1促进ICP1细胞迁移,而过表达TEAD1-V2对ICP1细胞迁移没有影响。且过表达TEAD1-V1和TEAD1-V2均促进ICP1细胞凋亡。两个转录本在不同组织和细胞系中的表达模式相似,在前脂肪细胞分化过程中的表达先下降后上升。过表达TEAD1-V1能显著减少ICP1细胞中脂滴的积累（P<0.05）,抑制C/EBPα表达;而过表达TEAD1-V2对脂滴积累和成脂相关基因的蛋白质表达水平没有明显作用（P>0.05）。过表达TEAD1-V1能显著降低ICP1细胞中甘油三脂的含量（P<0.05）,而过表达TEAD1-V2对ICP1细胞中甘油三酯含量没有影响（P>0.05）。结论 本研究首次克隆并鉴定了鸡TEAD1基因的两个转录本。过表达转录本TEAD1-V1和TEAD1-V2抑制鸡前脂肪细胞增殖并且促进鸡前脂肪细胞凋亡;TEAD1-V1抑制前脂肪细胞分化并促进前脂肪细胞迁移,而TEAD1-V2对前脂肪细胞分化和迁移没有影响。     

草菇过氧化氢酶基因(VvCAT1)异源表达及耐温度胁迫功能分析

[背景] 过氧化氢酶（catalase,CAT）参与真菌的生长发育,逆境胁迫时保护真菌免受氧化损伤。[目的] 实现草菇过氧化氢酶基因（VvCAT1）的异源表达,分析VvCAT1耐温度胁迫的功能。[方法] 克隆VvCAT1,构建过表达载体pBAR GPE1/VvCAT1,转化到大肠杆菌（Escherichia coli）菌株Stbl3中,异源表达草菇过氧化氢酶。测定温度胁迫后重组菌（pBAR GPE1/VvCAT1/Stbl3）与对照菌（pBAR GPE1/Stbl3）的过氧化氢酶活性和生长情况,验证VvCAT1的功能。[结果] 重组菌的CAT酶活性显著提高,生长情况显著优于对照菌。[结论] VvCAT1的导入及表达显著提高了大肠杆菌Stbl3的耐温度胁迫功能。     

天敌应激下小鼠血浆皮质酮、巨噬细胞产生NO、IL-1β水平与脑不对称性

为探讨天敌应激下脑不对称性对小鼠HPA轴活性及巨噬细胞功能的影响,通过伸爪取食法将Balb/c小鼠分为左利、右利、双利组,分别暴露在鼠类天敌——猫急性应激（45 min,1次）、慢性应激（45 min/次,每天1次,连续14天）刺激后,分别用EIA法、硝酸还原酶法、ELISA法测定了血浆皮质酮、腹腔巨噬细胞培养上清中一氧化氮（nitric oxide, NO）、IL-1β水平. a.血浆皮质酮水平：急性应激下,右利、双利组小鼠血浆皮质酮升高,右利组更为显著,左利组呈下降趋势,右利、双利组显著高于左利组及相应正常对照组（P＜0.05）;慢性应激下,右利、双利组显著高于相应正常对照组,左利、双利组也显著高于急性应激下相应组（P＜0.05）.b.NO水平：急性应激下,左利组腹腔巨噬细胞培养上清中NO无显著变化,右利、双利组呈升高趋势,右利显著高于左利（P＜0.05）;慢性应激中,三组NO水平均显著高于相应正常对照组（P＜0.05）.c.IL-1β水平：急性应激下,左利组IL-1β水平显著低于相应正常对照组,P＜0.05;慢性应激下,左利、双利组与正常对照组相比均有所降低,但无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,右利组则显著高于相应正常对照组（P＜0.05）.上述研究结果提示,小鼠在暴露于天敌——猫应激下,脑不对称可影响HPA轴活性及巨噬细胞功能.     

肠炎沙门氏菌基因工程减毒株的免疫效果及安全性评价

[背景] 相较于灭活疫苗和弱毒疫苗,沙门氏菌（Salmonella）基因工程减毒活疫苗具有的优越性逐渐显现,研究也不断深入。[目的] 探究肠炎沙门氏菌G9菌株的4株基因缺失株G9（ΔhilA）、G9（ΔhilD）、G9（ΔssrABhilA）和G9（ΔssrABhilAhilD）的免疫效果及生物安全性。[方法] 以肠炎沙门氏菌基因缺失菌株G9（ΔhilA）、G9（ΔhilD）、G9（ΔssrABhilA）、G9（ΔssrABhilAhilD）及其亲本菌株G9的最佳免疫剂量接种小鼠后,利用间接ELISA法、流式细胞术、MTT法、小鼠攻毒试验及倾注平板法等对各缺失株的免疫效果和安全性进行评价。[结果] G9（ΔhilD）诱导血清IgG抗体效价最高,G9（ΔhilD）和G9（ΔssrABhilAhilD）产生肠黏膜IgA抗体效价最高,4株缺失菌诱导IL-4、IL-10、IFN-γ、TNF-β、MCP-1细胞因子的能力与亲本株G9差异不显著（P>0.05）,产生的CD4⁺/CD3⁺、CD8⁺/CD3⁺ T细胞比率呈上升趋势,而且G9（ΔssrABhilA）和G9（ΔssrABhilAhilD）最高;G9（ΔssrABhilAhilD）诱发的脾淋巴细胞增殖指数最高;免疫小鼠后4株缺失株对G9攻毒提供的保护率为80%-100%,而且小鼠肝脏、脾脏及小肠绒毛无明显病理变化,对鼠伤寒沙门氏菌攻毒提供的保护率为50%-80%;接种后12 d,小鼠肝脏、脾脏及小肠中定殖的菌株能基本清除,而且在体外能连续稳定传代30代。[结论] G9（ΔhilA）、G9（ΔhilD）、G9（ΔssrABhilA）和G9（ΔssrABhilAhilD）对小鼠的免疫效果和生物安全性均良好,有成为肠炎沙门氏菌基因工程减毒活疫苗的可能。     

不同来源乳铁蛋白对幼鼠肠道发育的影响

目的 探究哺乳期乳铁蛋白（lactoferrin，LF）的缺失及不同来源LF补充后对幼鼠肠道发育的影响。方法 以LF基因敲除型雌鼠作为哺乳母鼠造成幼鼠哺乳期无LF的摄入，且从幼鼠出生第3~21天每日人工饲喂100 mg/kg 牛血清白蛋白（BSA）、牛源乳铁蛋白（bovine Lactoferrin，bLF）及重组人源乳铁蛋白（recombinant human Lactoferrin，rhLF），于幼鼠21日龄取样，测定各组小鼠小肠发育指标。结果 在本实验周期下，哺乳期rhLF的补充显著性增加小鼠回肠绒毛长度/隐窝深度值（P<0.05），且上调回肠Occludin和ZO-1基因的表达（P<0.05），增加小鼠十二指肠、空肠和回肠麦芽糖酶酶活/乳糖酶酶活比值（P<0.05），表明哺乳期rhLF的补充能够增强小鼠肠道消化吸收能力和肠屏障功能；哺乳期bLF的补充显著增加小鼠十二指肠及回肠麦芽糖酶活性/乳糖酶活性比值（P<0.05）。结论 对于哺乳期无LF摄入的乳鼠来说，哺乳期间LF的补充能够增强乳鼠肠道对营养物质的消化吸收能力、促进肠道的发育成熟、增强肠道屏障功能，并且，本实验中rhLF表现出比bLF更加有效的作用。     

木麻黄根乙酸乙酯部位化学成分研究

为阐明木麻黄（Casuarina equisetifolia）的化学成分,采用有机溶剂提取、萃取及多种分离技术,从其根中分离得到14个化合物。经光波谱分析,其结构分别鉴定为5-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl-6-O-syringoyl-β-d-glucopyranoside （1）,高良姜苷A （2）,heterophylloside C （3）、6''-O-vanilloylisotachioside （4）、3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-6-O-syringoyl-β-d-glucopyranoside （5）、香草醛（6）、丁香醛（7）、3,4-二羟基苯甲醛（8）、齐墩果酸（9）、桦木酸（10）、胡萝卜苷（11）、胡萝卜苷亚油酸酯（12）、（±）-lyoniresinol 2-O-a-rhamnoside （13）和（-）-9-acetyl-isolariciresinol 9''-O-a-l-rhamnopyranoside （14）,其中化合物14为新的木脂素。     

Serum and colon metabolomics study reveals the anti-ulcerative colitis effect of Croton crassifolius Geisel

BackgroundCroton crassifolius Geisel (CCG, also known as Ji-Gu-Xiang in Traditional Chinese Medicine), is traditionally prescribed for the therapy of rheumatic arthritis and gastrointestinal ulcer. However, the effect of CCG on ulcerative colitis (UC) has not been investigated.PurposeTo explore the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanism of CCG extract against UC by colonic and serum metabolomics.MethodsIn order to standardize the CCG extract, UPLC-QTOF-MS was used for quantitative and qualitative analysis of the representative terpenoids. C57BL/6J mice were divided into control, Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS), mesalazine (100 mg•kg⁻¹), CCG extract (150 and 600 mg•kg⁻¹) groups. The mice were provided 3% DSS dissolved in distilled water ad libitum for 7 days except control group. Weight change, disease activity index (DAI), colon lengths and expression of inflammatory mediators iNOS and COX-2 in colonic tissue were determined. Serum and colon metabolomics using UPLC–QTOF-MS technology coupled with multivariate data analysis were performed to reveal the underlying mechanism.ResultsThirty-five terpenoids in CCG were identified by fingerprint, in which ten representative terpenes were quantified. CCG could relieve the weight loss, the degree of bloody stool and ulcer of colon, as well as significantly lowering the expression level of iNOS and COX-2. Metabolomics analysis showed that 25 biomarkers were obviously interfered by CCG treatment and 16 of them were highly correlated with the efficacy of CCG. The analysis of metabolic pathway showed that the anti-UC effect of CCG was associated with the regulation on linoleic acid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, α-linolenic acid metabolism, and glycerophospholipids metabolism.ConclusionsThe oral administration of CCG significantly alleviated DSS-induced UC symptoms by reducing inflammation and rectifying the metabolic disorder. CCG may provide a new strategy for the management of UC.     

四君子汤对溃疡性结肠炎小鼠模型occludin和claudin-1表达的影响

目的:探讨四君子汤对溃疡性结肠炎(UC)小鼠模型结肠粘膜中occludin、claudin-1表达的影响。方法:采用右旋葡聚糖硫酸钠(DSS)诱导UC小鼠模型,实验分为五组,即正常组、模型组、四君子汤低剂量治疗组、中剂量治疗组、高剂量治疗组、西药组,共治疗7天。对小鼠肠黏膜的大体形态和组织病理变化进行观察,使用RT-PCR和Western blot检测occludin、claudin-1 m RNA和蛋白的表达。结果:与模型组相比较,四君子汤低、中、高剂量治疗组以及西药组小鼠的饮食、体重、精神、活动度、脓血便等一般情况有所改善,黏膜层缺损、隐窝破坏、炎症细胞浸润等病理表现有所缓解。与模型组相比较,高剂量治疗组小鼠结肠组织中occludin、claudin-1蛋白和m RNA的表达升高(P0.05),低剂量和中剂量治疗组也有不同程度的升高。与西药组相比较,低、中、高剂量治疗组小鼠结肠组织中occludin、claudin-1蛋白和m RNA的表达无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:四君子汤可以改善脓血便等症状,缓解肠粘膜的损伤,上调occludin和claudin-1的表达,对UC小鼠有治疗作用。     

鼠衣原体改善DSS诱导的小鼠溃疡性结肠炎的作用研究

【目的】探讨鼠衣原体(Chlamydia muridarum)对小鼠溃疡性结肠炎的作用。【方法】取15只雌性C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为3组,每组5只动物,分别为空白对照组(Control)、肠炎模型组(DSS)、实验组(CM+DSS)。选取CM+DSS组小鼠予以2×10⁵ IFU的鼠衣原体灌胃处理,并在其感染后第29天开始,给予DSS组和CM+DSS组的小鼠2%DSS饮水,持续5d,每天监测小鼠体重和肠炎疾病评分,实验结束后检测小鼠结肠长度和结肠组织炎性改变。【结果】肠炎模型组的小鼠均表现出典型的肠炎症状(包括体重减轻、肠炎疾病评分、结肠长度和组织炎性改变);而经鼠衣原体预处理的小鼠(CM+DSS组)肠炎症状显著减轻,表现在肠炎疾病评分降低,体重和结肠长度有所恢复,肠组织炎性损伤减轻。【结论】鼠衣原体对DSS诱导的小鼠溃疡性结肠炎具有改善作用。     

Effect of Fonsecaea monophora on the Polarization of THP-1 Cells to Macrophages

Background

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic, progressive fungal disease of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by a unique group of dematiaceous fungi. Fonsecaea monophora, a new species distinct from Fonsecaea pedrosoi strains, is the main pathogen responsible for chromoblastomycosis in south China. Macrophages can be polarized into two categories: classically activated and alternatively activated.

Objectives

Little is known about the relationship between F. monophora and macrophage polarization. This study aimed to study the effect of F. monophora on the polarization of THP-1 cells to macrophages.

Methods

We established coculture systems of F. monophora and THP-1-derived macrophages in different activation states.

Results

F. monophora enhanced the phagocytosis by macrophages in the initially activated state and weakened the phagocytosis by classically activated macrophages without affecting that by alternatively activated macrophages. Classically activated macrophages had the strongest killing effect on F. monophora, while the initially activated macrophages had the weakest. The pathogen could not be rapidly cleared by any type of macrophage. F. monophora promoted the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and inhibited that of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Conclusions

F. monophora promoted the polarization of THP-1 cells to classically activated macrophages and inhibited that of THP-1 cells to alternatively activated macrophages.

     

凝结芽孢杆菌-乳果糖合生元对DSS诱导的溃疡性结肠炎小鼠肠道健康的影响

[目的]旨在探究凝结芽孢杆菌-乳果糖合生元对葡聚糖硫酸钠(dextran sodium sulfate,DSS)诱导的溃疡性结肠炎小鼠临床体征、肠道形态和肠道菌群结构的影响.[方法]选取24只初始体重为(22.96±1.87)g的7周龄雄性C57/BL6小鼠,随机分为4组,每组6只,即CON组、DSS组(连续5 d饮用...     

Vitexin prevents colitis-associated carcinogenesis in mice through regulating macrophage polarization

BackgroundPatients with inflammatory bowel disease are at increased risks of developing ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). Vitexin can suppress the proliferation of colorectal carcinoma cells in vitro orin vivo. However, different from colorectal carcinoma, CAC is more consistent with the transformation from inflammation to cancer in clinical chronic IBD patients. Therefore, we aim to investigated that vitexin whether possess benefic effects on CAC mice.PurposeWe aimed to determine the beneficial effects of vitexin on CAC mice and reveal its underlying mechanism.MethodsThe mouse CAC model was induced by Azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS) and CAC mice were treated with vitexin. At the end of this study, inflammatory cytokines of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10 as well as nitric oxide (NO) were detected by kits after long-term treatment of vitexin. Pathological changes and macrophage polarization were determined by H&E and immunofluorescence in adjacent noncancerous tissue and carcinomatous tissue respectively of CAC mice.ResultsOur results showed that oral administration of vitexin could significantly improve the clinical signs and symptoms of chronic colitis, relieve colon damage, regulate colonic inflammatory cytokines, as well as suppress tumor incidence and tumor burden. Interesting, vitexin caused a significant increase in serum level of NO and a higher content of NO in tumor tissue. In addition, vitexin significantly decreased M1 phenotype macrophages in the adjacent noncancerous tissue, while markedly up-regulated M1 macrophage polarization in the tumor tissue in the colon of CAC mice.ConclusionVitexin can attenuate chronic colitis-associated carcinogenesis induced by AOM/DSS in mice and its protective effects are partly associated with its alternations in macrophage polarization in the inflammatory and tumor microenvironment .     

Role of anti-angiogenic factor endostatin in the pathogenesis of experimental ulcerative colitis

AimsVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pathologic angiogenesis have been demonstrated to play a pathogenic role in the development and progression of inflammatory bowel disease. Thus, we hypothesized that the potent anti-angiogenic factor endostatin might play a beneficial role in experimental ulcerative colitis (UC).Main methodsWe used three animal models of UC: (1) induced by 6% iodoacetamide (IA) in rats, or (2) by 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) knockout (KO) and wild-type mice, and (3) interleukin-10 (IL-10) KO mice. Groups of MMP-9 KO mice with DSS-induced UC were treated with endostatin or water for 5 days.Key findingsWe found concomitant upregulation of VEGF, PDGF, MMP-9 and endostatin in both rat and mouse models of UC. A positive correlation between the levels of endostatin or VEGF and the sizes of colonic lesions was seen in IA-induced UC. The levels and activities of MMP-9 were also significantly increased during UC induced by IA and IL-10 KO. Deletion of MMP-9 decreased the levels of endostatin in both water- and DSS-treated MMP-9 KO mice. Treatment with endostatin significantly improved DSS-induced UC in MMP-9 KO mice.Significance1) Concomitantly increased endostatin is a defensive response to the increased VEGF in UC, 2) MMP-9 is a key enzyme to generate endostatin which may modulate the balance between VEGF and endostatin during experimental UC, and 3) endostatin treatment plays a beneficial role in UC. Thus, anti-angiogenesis seems to be a new therapeutic option for UC.     

Prdx1 (peroxiredoxin 1) deficiency reduces cholesterol efflux via impaired macrophage lipophagic flux

Oxidative stress activates macroautophagy/autophagy and contributes to atherogenesis via lipophagic flux, a form of lipid removal by autophagy. However, it is not known exactly how endogenous antioxidant enzymes are involved in lipophagic flux. Here, we demonstrate that the antioxidant PRDX1 (peroxiredoxin 1) has a crucial role in the maintenance of lipophagic flux in macrophages. PRDX1 is more highly expressed than other antioxidant enzymes in monocytes and macrophages. We determined that Prdx1 deficiency induced excessive oxidative stress and impaired maintenance of autophagic flux in macrophages. Prdx1-deficient macrophages had higher intracellular cholesterol mass and lower cholesterol efflux compared with wild type. This perturbation in cholesterol homeostasis was due to impaired lipophagic cholesterol hydrolysis caused by excessive oxidative stress, resulting in the inhibition of free cholesterol formation and the reduction of NR1H3 (nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group H, member 3) activity. Notably, impairment of both lipophagic flux and cholesterol efflux was restored by the 2-Cys PRDX-mimics ebselen and gliotoxin. Consistent with this observation, apoe ^?/? mice transplanted with bone marrow from prdx1^?/?apoe^?/? mice had increased plaque formation compared with apoe^?/? BM-transplanted recipients. This study reveals that PRDX1 is crucial to regulating lipophagic flux and maintaining macrophage cholesterol homeostasis against oxidative stress. We suggest that PRDX1-dependent control of oxidative stress may provide a strategy for treating atherosclerosis and autophagy-related human diseases.     

Gegen Qinlian decoction maintains colonic mucosal homeostasis in acute/chronic ulcerative colitis via bidirectionally modulating dysregulated Notch signaling

BackgroundGegen Qinlian decoction (GQ) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that has been clinically proven to be effective in treating ulcerative colitis (UC). However, its therapeutic mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Notch signaling plays an essential role in the regeneration of the intestinal epithelium.PurposeThis study was designed to ascertain the mechanism by which GQ participates in the recovery of the colonic mucosa by regulating Notch signaling in acute and chronic UC models.MethodsAcute and chronic UC mice (C57BL/6) were established with 3 and 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), respectively, and treated with oral administration of GQ. The expression of the Notch target gene Hes1 and the Notch-related proteins RBP-J, MAML and Math1 was analyzed by western blotting. PTEN mRNA levels were detected by qRT-PCR. Mucin production that is characteristic of goblet cells was determined by Alcian blue/periodic acid-Schiff staining and verified by examining MUC2 mRNA levels by qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation was assayed by immunohistochemistry analysis of Ki67. HT-29 and FHC cells and Toll-like receptor 4 knockout (TLR4^−/−) acute UC mice were also used in this study.ResultsGQ restored the injured colonic mucosa in both acute and chronic UC models. We found that Notch signaling was hyperactive in acute UC mice and hypoactive in chronic UC mice. GQ downregulated Hes1, RBP-J and MAML proteins and augmented goblet cells in the acute UC models, whereas GQ upregulated Hes1, RBP-J and MAML proteins in chronic UC mice, reducing goblet cell differentiation and promoting crypt base columnar (CBC) stem cell proliferation. Hes1 mRNA was suppressed in TLR4^−/− UC mice, and GQ treatment reversed this effect. In vitro, GQ reduced Hes1 protein in Notch-activated HT29 and FHC cells but increased Hes1 protein in Notch-inhibited cells.ConclusionsGQ restored the colonic epithelium by maintaining mucosal homeostasis via bidirectional regulation of Notch signaling in acute/chronic UC models.