Alkaloid fraction of Mirabilis jalapa Linn. flowers has low cytotoxicity and increases iron absorption through Erythropoietin-Matriptase-2-Hepcidin pathway in iron deficiency Hepatocarcinoma cell model

In this study, we investigated the effects of an alkaloid fraction of Mirabilis jalapa L. flowers in terms of cytotoxicity, Erythropoietin (EPO), hepcidin, and Matriptase-2 (MT-2) expression levels in iron deficiency Hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cell model. The iron deficiency HepG2 cell model was generated by induction with Deferoxamine (DFO) and was then treated with standard therapy Ferric Ammonium Citrate (FAC) and different alkaloid fraction doses. Subsequently, the type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSPs) activity and MT-2 expression were measured using a fluorometer and immunocytochemistry methods, while the EPO and hepcidin levels and total iron were examined using an ELISA kit and a colorimetric assay, respectively. The data were then analyzed using ANOVA with a significance level of 95 %. According to the UV–vis Spectrophotometry and HPLC results, the alkaloid fraction of M. jalapa flowers had 6.17- and 4-times higher Betaxanthin levels, respectively, compared to the ethanol extract of M. jalapa flower. Furthermore, LC-MS/MS analysis showed that the most dominant compound is Indicaxanthin. The ethanol extract and alkaloid fraction of M. jalapa flowers were not cytotoxic (IC₅₀ > 30 ppm). Furthermore, the alkaloid fraction containing Indicaxanthin, Miraxanthin-V, and Boeravinone F is capable of increasing EPO levels, membrane and soluble TTSPs activity and MT-2 expression, decreasing hepcidin levels, and increasing intracellular iron levels in iron deficiency HepG2 cell model. In conclusion, the obtained alkaloid fraction of M. jalapa flowers has low cytotoxicity and the later increases iron absorption via EPO-MT2-hepcidin pathway in iron deficiency HepG2 cell model.     

Trypanosoma brucei brucei: Effects of ferrous iron and heme on ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase activity

Trypanosoma brucei brucei is the causative agent of animal African trypanosomiasis, also called nagana. Procyclic vector form resides in the midgut of the tsetse fly, which feeds exclusively on blood. Hemoglobin digestion occurs in the midgut resulting in an intense release of free heme. In the present study we show that the magnesium-dependent ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (E-NTPDase) activity of procyclic T. brucei brucei is inhibited by ferrous iron and heme. The inhibition of E-NTPDase activity by ferrous iron, but not by heme, was prevented by pre-incubation of cells with catalase. However, antioxidants that permeate cells, such as PEG-catalase and N-acetyl-cysteine prevented the inhibition of E-NTPDase by heme. Ferrous iron was able to induce an increase in lipid peroxidation, while heme did not. Therefore, both ferrous iron and heme can inhibit E-NTPDase activity of T. brucei brucei by means of formation of reactive oxygen species, but apparently acting through distinct mechanisms.     

Effects of NMDA and ferrous sulfate on oxidation and cell death in primary neuronal cultures

Excessive oxidative radical production has been implicated in a variety of neurodegerative processes including NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) mediated excitotoxicity. To determine the relationship of oxidation to NMDA-receptor mediated neuronal death, we exposed rat primary cortical neuronal cultures to ferrous sulfate and the fluorescent dyes dichlorofluorescin diacetate (H(2)DCF) and propidium iodide (PI) to monitor reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell death, respectively in the same cultures. Ferrous sulfate (FeSO(4)) caused a dose-dependent increase in cellular oxidation with an ED(50) of approximately 136 microM. Levels of oxidation increased over time reaching maximum levels between 15 and 25 min. Ferrous sulfate (ED(50) approximately 241 microM) treatment for 25 min caused a delayed and progressive neuronal death that was comparable to NMDA (100 microM, 25 min) delayed neuronal death. NMDA (100 microM, 25 min) alone did not result in measurable increases of DCF fluorescence. However, when combined with 40 microM FeSO(4), NMDA dose-dependently increased H(2)DCF fluorescence. Despite the increase in DCF oxidation, combinations of FeSO(4) with NMDA did not synergize or accelerate NMDA-receptor mediated or glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. Although excessive amounts FeSO(4) induced oxidation can cause delayed neuronal death, these findings suggest that oxidative stress is not the key factor in triggering the NMDA mediated excitotoxic cascade.     

Rett综合征相关基因MeCP2敲除大鼠模型的构建及分析

MeCP2(Methyl CpG binding protein 2)基因突变可导致Rett综合征(Rett syndrome, RTT)。目前已报道的MeCP2敲除小鼠表型与RTT病人症状存在显著差异。为探索MeCP2在脑发育中的作用及其导致RTT的机制,本研究利用CRISPR/Cas9技术构建了MeCP2基因敲除大鼠模型。通过构建靶向敲除MeCP2基因的载体,体外将Cas9 mRNA和sgRNA显微注射到SD大鼠受精卵中,在MeCP2基因exon2中造成移码突变,从而获得MeCP2基因敲除大鼠。利用测序和Western blotting方法鉴定MeCP2敲除大鼠,并对其表型和行为学特征进行分析,发现MeCP2敲除大鼠体重降低,存在焦虑倾向和认知缺陷。本研究成功构建了MeCP2基因敲除大鼠模型,其表型类似人类RTT患者的症状,为后续MeCP2功能研究提供了更好的动物模型。     

Effects of hypoxic preconditioning on the expression of iron influx and efflux proteins in primary neuron culture

The mechanisms of neuroprotection induced by hypoxic preconditioning (HP) and the effects of HP on iron metabolism proteins in the brain have not been fully elucidated. Based on the accumulated information, we hypothesized that HP would be able to affect the expression of iron metabolism proteins in the brain and that the changes in the expression of these proteins induced by HP might be partly associated with the HP-induced neuroprotection. Here, we demonstrated for the first time that HP could induce a significant increase in the expression of HIF-1alpha as well as iron uptake (TfR1 and DMT1) and release (Fpn1) proteins and thus increase transferrin-bound iron (Tf-Fe) and non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) uptake and iron release, and also a progressive increase in cellular iron content in the cultured neurons. We concluded that HP has the ability to speed iron transport rate and proposed that the increase in iron transport rate and cellular iron in neurons might be one of the mechanisms involved in neuroprotection in the HP neurons. We also demonstrated that Fpn1 expression was significantly affected by HIF-1alpha, implying that the gene encoding this iron efflux protein is hypoxia-inducible.     

艾灸对诱导性大鼠关节炎症及肠道菌群的影响

目的 观察艾灸治疗大鼠实验性类风湿关节炎(RA)的效果及其肠道菌群变化。方法 将46只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组10只,正常艾灸组12只,RA模型组12只,RA艾灸组12只。RA艾灸组与RA模型组以牛Ⅱ型胶原诱导方法建立关节炎大鼠模型。正常艾灸组与RA艾灸组给予艾灸双侧肾俞、足三里,正常对照组与RA模型组不进行艾灸治疗。分别于造模成功后,艾灸干预第1、2、3周测量各组大鼠体质量、足趾容积、关节炎指数(AI)评分、杆菌/球菌、革兰阳性杆菌/细菌总数并比较差异。结果 大鼠造模后较正常对照组一般情况差、体质量低、足趾容积大、AI评分高、杆菌/球菌及革兰阳性杆菌/细菌总数比值低。艾灸干预后一般情况改善、体质量增加、足趾容积稳定增加、AI评分下降、杆菌/球菌及革兰阳性杆菌/细菌总数比值增加。RA临床表现和肠道菌群变化呈显著性相关,各时间段艾灸干预后RA模型组、RA艾灸组大鼠杆菌/球菌、革兰阳性杆菌/细菌总数差异有统计学意义(P0.05或P0.01)。结论 艾灸能够有效治疗Ⅱ型胶原诱导关节炎大鼠关节炎症和调节肠道菌群紊乱状态。     

法舒地尔对异丙肾上腺素诱导大鼠心肌肥厚的干预作用及其机制

目的：研究法舒地尔对异丙肾上腺素诱导大鼠心肌肥厚的影响及其机制。方法：除正常对照组外,其它SD大鼠均皮下注射异丙肾上腺素（Iso,5 mg/kg）建立心肌肥厚模型。大鼠随机分为4组：正常对照组、Iso模型组、法舒地尔低剂量组（Fas,5 mg/kg,i.p）和法舒地尔高剂量组（Fas,20 mg/kg,i.p）,连续给药8周。给药结束后,血流动力学检测大鼠心率（HR）、左心室收缩压（LVSP）、左心室末舒张压（LVEDP）和左室压力变化最大速率（±dp/dt_max）;分别测定大鼠体重（BW）,心脏重量（HW）,并计算HW/BW;大鼠心肌HE、Masson染色观察组织病理学改变;免疫组化法观察大鼠心肌组织ERK1、ERK2蛋白表达,RT-PCR观察ERK1、ERK2 mRNA的表达。结果：Iso模型组HR和LVEDP明显升高,LVSP和±dp/dt_max明显下降;HW/BW增大;心肌细胞体积变大,排列紊乱,胶原纤维增生;左心室组织ERK1、ERK2蛋白与mRNA表达上调。法舒地尔不同剂量干预后,心脏收缩和舒张能力得到改善,心指数明显下降,心肌细胞体积变小,纤维化减少,ERK1/2 mRNA表达下调,心肌组织损害均得到不同程度改善。结论：ERK1/2信号通路活化参与了异丙肾上腺素诱导的心肌肥厚,法舒地尔对异丙肾上腺素诱导的心肌肥厚具有明显改善作用,这可能与法舒地尔阻断ERK1、ERK2通路活化有关。     

Oxidation state of binuclear iron site in azidosemimethemerythrin

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of azidosemimethemerythrin (from Phascolopsis gouldii) have been integrated to find the total number of spins per monomer unit. The value observed, 1.0 +/- 0.1 spins per Fe2 pair, confirms the assignment of a hybrid oxidation state, FeIIFeIII, to each site.     

Structure of the GTPase and GDI domains of FeoB, the ferrous iron transporter of Legionella pneumophila

Prokaryotic pathogens have developed specialized mechanisms for efficient uptake of ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) from the host. In Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease, the transmembrane GTPase FeoB plays a key role in Fe²⁺ acquisition and virulence. FeoB consists of a membrane-embedded core and an N-terminal, cytosolic region (NFeoB). Here, we report the crystal structure of NFeoB from L. pneumophila, revealing a monomeric protein comprising two separate domains with GTPase and guanine-nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (GDI) functions. The GDI domain displays a novel fold, whereas the overall structure of the GTPase domain resembles that of known G domains but is in the rarely observed nucleotide-free state.     

A 31P-NMR study on the energy state of rat liver in an experimental model of chronic dietary iron overload

31P-NMR spectroscopy of rat liver perchloric acid extracts was utilized to assess the hepatic energy state in an experimental model of chronic dietary iron overload. Oral administration of iron for a period of 65 days that induces a steady ten-fold increase in hepatic iron concentration causes a significant decrease in the hepatic ATP level not associated with appreciable modifications of ADP and Pi levels. The phosphorylation ratio appears on the average decreased. The values of the energy state parameters revert to the normal if the concentration of iron in the liver is reversed below the critical level upon withdrawal of iron treatment after 45 days for a period of 20 days. The implication of these energy modifications for the pathogenesis of cell damage in the siderosis is discussed.     

Diphenyl diselenide is as effective as Ebselen in a juvenile rat model of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity

BackgroundCisplatin (CIS) is widely used in the chemotreatment of pediatric tumors. However, the CIS use is limited because of its high incidence of toxicity, mainly nephrotoxicity. Although there are many studies about CIS-related nephrotoxicity in animal models, only a few studies focus on juvenile animals. Because redox disturbances have been associated with kidney damage induced by CIS, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Ebselen and diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)₂ against nephrotoxicity induced by CIS in juvenile rats.MethodsJuvenile Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: rats from groups I to III received an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection with saline solution. The other groups received CIS (i.p., 6 mg/kg) on the first day. One hour before CIS injection and on the next four days, animals of groups III and V were intragastrically treated with Ebselen (11 mg/kg) whereas those from groups IV and VI received (PhSe)₂ (12 mg/kg). After 24 h of the last treatment, blood and kidney were collected, and the parameters of renal function and oxidative stress were determined.ResultsKidney damage induced by CIS was confirmed by the increase of creatinine, urea and uric acid levels in the blood of juvenile rats. The renal oxidative disturbance was characterized by an increase in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyl, and nitrogen oxides (Nox), as well as the decrease in non-protein thiol content (NPSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. CIS inhibited the activities of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and down-regulated the Nrf2/Keap-1/HO-1 pathway in the kidney of juvenile rats.ConclusionBoth Ebselen and (PhSe)₂ modulated back to the normal levels all parameters altered by the CIS administration in the kidney of juvenile rats. Thus, this study shows that (PhSe)₂ was as effective as Ebselen in protecting the kidney against oxidative damage caused by CIS in rats.     

Effects of ferrous iron and transferrin on cell proliferation of human diploid fibroblasts in serum-free culture

Summary Iron-free RITC 80-7 defined medium was used to examine effects of ferrous iron and transferrin on cell proliferation of human diploid fibroblasts. Both ferrous iron and holotransferrin stimulated cell proliferation in the medium, but apotransferrin did not. When 5 g/l human serum albumin (HSA) was added to the defined medium, excellent growth was obtained under hypoxic conditions, whereas a reduction of cellular growth during the culture periods was observed under aerobic conditions. When ferrous iron was added to the HSA medium alone, the reduction in growth increased in proportion to the concentrations, whereas the addition of transferrin prevented this reduction in a concentration-dependent manner. This suggests that the ferrous iron concentration in media causes a reduction in growth under aerobic conditions and transferrin prevents this reduction because it decreases the ferrous iron concentration. Further, serum albumin seems to be a source of iron in media.     

Synthesis of 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxylic acid 1,1-dioxides and their evaluation as ligands for NMDA receptor glycine binding site

A series of 2-substituted 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxylic acid 1,1-dioxides were synthesized and evaluated for their affinity to the glycine binding site of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The binding affinity was determined by the displacement of radioligand [³H]MDL-105,519 from rat cortical membrane preparations. The most attractive structures in the search for prospective NMDA receptor ligands were identified to be 2-arylcarbonylmethyl substituted 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxylic acid 1,1-dioxides. It has been demonstrated for the first time that the replacement of NH group in the ligand by sp³ CH₂ is tolerated. This finding may pave the way for previously unexplored approaches for designing new ligands of the NMDA receptor.     

慢性电刺激诱发大鼠癫痫模型中核磁共振检测信号异常的非对称性与特征性行为发作的关系

本文旨在探讨内嗅皮质（EC）－海马环路在颞叶癫痫发生中的作用,慢性强直电刺激大鼠石背海马（DH－PC）或右中部颞叶新皮质（MTNC）,每日一次（60Hz,2s,0.4-0.6mA),加续7－10d,刺激DHPC（57.4%,8/14只）或MTNC（71．42％,10／14只）均能引起电极对侧出现非对称性脑区核磁共振（T2－WI）信号增强,组织学切片证实与扩大的侧脑室吻合,可能涉及脑帝质结构的损伤,DHPC刺激组大鼠对侧脑扣内务 伴有高频原发性湿狗样抖（WEDS）,MTNC刺激组大鼠对侧脑损伤伴有低频原发性WEDS,后者在第2个刺激日开始出现,持续到第10天以后,所有假电极组无脑区T2-WI稚号和行为改变,我们推测,刺激HPC或MTNC所致癫痫性早期脑损伤具有同一种机制,涉及EC－HPC环路,刺激MTNC时,可能由于EC潜在门控作用,削弱了进出EC－HPC环路通往新皮质的信息流,致使脑损伤明显时行为发作频度低,另外,非对称非脑扣内务 提示了颞叶癫痫的致痫灶的对侧易感特征。     

Intracellular chloride and calcium transients evoked by γ‐aminobutyric acid and glycine in neurons of the rat inferior colliculus

Microfluorometric recordings showed that the inhibitory neurotransmitters γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine activated transient increases in the intracellular Cl⁻ concentration in neurons of the inferior colliculus (IC) from acutely isolated slices of the rat auditory midbrain. Current recordings in gramicidin‐perforated patch mode disclosed that GABA and glycine mainly evoked inward or biphasic currents. These currents were dependent on HCO and characterized by a continuous shift of their reversal potential (E_GABA/gly) in the positive direction. In HCO‐buffered saline, GABA and glycine could also evoke an increase in the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration. Ca²⁺ transients occurred only with large depolarizations and were blocked by Cd²⁺, suggesting an activation of voltage‐gated Ca²⁺ channels. However, in the absence of HCO, only a small rise, if any, in the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration could be evoked by GABA or glycine. We suggest that the activation of GABA_A or glycine receptors results in an acute accumulation of Cl⁻ that is enhanced by the depolarization owing to HCO efflux, thus shifting E_GABA/gly to more positive values. A subsequent activation of these receptors would result in a strenghtened depolarization and an enlarged Ca²⁺ influx that might play a role in the stabilization of inhibitory synapses in the auditory pathway. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 40: 386–396, 1999     

异丙酚对离体大鼠心肌缺血、再灌注损伤后细胞凋亡及其机制研究

目的：观察异丙酚对离体大鼠心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的影响并从氧化应激和线粒体介导的凋亡方面探讨其作用机制。方法：应用Langendorff离体心脏灌注系统建立心肌缺血/再灌注损伤模型。40只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、缺血/再灌注模型（I/R）组、异丙酚15、30、60μmol.L-1组。除正常对照组外,各组分别平衡灌注20 min后,常温全心停灌25 min,再灌注30 min。Powerlab/8s仪记录各组平衡末、缺血前及再灌30 min时的各项心功能指标并测定冠脉流出液中乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、肌酸激酶（CK）活性;检测心肌线粒体活力、膜肿胀度、锰超氧化物岐化酶（Mn-SOD）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量;流式细胞仪检测心肌细胞凋亡;流式细胞术检测Bcl-2和Bax的表达,免疫组化法测定天冬氨酸特异的半胱氨酸蛋白酶（caspase）-3,9,8蛋白的表达。结果：与I/R组相比,异丙酚30、60μmol.L-1能明显改善缺血/再灌注后的心功能,减弱冠脉流出液中LDH、CK的活性（P〈0.05）;心肌线粒体活力有所恢复,膜肿胀度减轻,Mn-SOD活性升高,MDA生成明显减少（P〈0.05）,心肌细胞凋亡明显减少,Bcl-2表达上调,Bax表达下调,caspase-3,9阳性表达细胞数明显减少（P〈0.05）。结论：异丙酚明显减轻缺血/再灌注所致的心肌线粒体的过氧化损伤,抑制线粒体途径的凋亡,可能是其心肌保护作用机制之一。