原发性醛固酮增多症大鼠自主活动和学习记忆行为的影响

摘要 目的：探讨原发性醛固酮增多症(primary aldosteronism,PA)大鼠其自主活动和对学习记忆行为的影响。方法：8周龄健康雄SD(Sprague-Dawley)大鼠(n=30)随机分为对照组与模型组各15只。两组都皮下埋置微量渗透泵,模型组泵内灌注醛固酮,对照组泵内灌注等量的生理盐水,记录大鼠自主活动和学习记忆行为的变化情况。结果：所有大鼠均存活,模型组都造模成功,切口愈合良好。模型组造模后的收缩压高于对照组(P<0.05),也高于造模前(P<0.05),两组造模前后心率对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。模型组造模后的逃避潜伏期与穿台次数少于对照组(P<0.05),也少于造模前(P<0.05)。模型组造模后的自主活动次数高于对照组(P<0.05),也高于造模前(P<0.05)。造模后模型组的鼠双微基因2(Mouse Double Microgene 2,MDM2)蛋白相对表达水平高于对照组(P<0.05)。造模后模型组的血清醛固酮含量都高对照组(P<0.05),血清钾离子、钠离子、肾素活性低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论：原发性醛固酮增多症大鼠伴随有血清钾离子、钠离子含量降低与MDM2蛋白的高表达,从而导致大鼠出现自主活动和学习记忆行为障碍。     

血清DCN、NRG-1、MIF水平与首发未服药精神分裂症患者临床症状和认知功能的相关性分析

目的:探讨血清核心蛋白多糖(DCN)、神经调节蛋白-1(NRG-1)、巨噬细胞迁移抑制因子(MIF)水平与首发未服药精神分裂症患者临床症状和认知功能的相关性。方法:选择2018年1月~2020年11月期间长江大学附属第一医院收治的首发未服药精神分裂症患者80例作为精神分裂症组,同期于长江大学附属第一医院进行体检的健康志愿者80例作为对照组。应用阳性和阴性症状量表(PANSS)评估患者精神病理症状,应用MATRICS共识认知成套测验(MCCB)评估所有受试者认知功能。根据PANSS评分将精神分裂症组分为PANSS评分高分组和低分组,比较两组血清DCN、NRG-1、MIF水平,并分析以上指标水平与PANSS总分、MCCB各项评分的相关性。结果:精神分裂症组患者PANSS总分为(77.18±13.57)分。精神分裂症组MCCB各项评分均低于对照组(P<0.05)。精神分裂症组血清DCN、NRG-1水平低于对照组,MIF水平高于对照组(P<0.05)。PANSS高分组血清DCN、NRG-1水平低于PANSS低分组,MIF水平高于PANSS低分组(P<0.05)。Pearson相关性分析显示,首发未服药精神分裂症患者血清DCN、NRG-1水平与PANSS总分呈负相关,与MCCB各项评分呈正相关,MIF水平与PANSS总分呈正相关,与MCCB各项评分呈负相关(均P<0.05)。结论:首发未服药精神分裂症患者血清DCN、NRG-1、MIF水平异常,且以上指标水平与患者临床症状和认知功能受损有一定联系,提示检测以上指标水平可能为该病患者认知功能及临床症状的评估提供参考。     

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor regulates joint capsule fibrosis by promoting TGF-β1 production in fibroblasts

Joint capsule fibrosis caused by excessive inflammation results in post-traumatic joint contracture (PTJC). Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 plays a key role in PTJC by regulating fibroblast functions, however, cytokine-induced TGF-β1 expression in specific cell types remains poorly characterized. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in inflammation- and fibrosis-associated pathophysiology. In this study, we investigated whether MIF can facilitate TGF-β1 production from fibroblasts and regulate joint capsule fibrosis following PTJC. Our data demonstrated that MIF and TGF-β1 significantly increased in fibroblasts of injured rat posterior joint capsules. Treatment the lesion sites with MIF inhibitor 4-Iodo-6-phenylpyrimidine (4-IPP) reduced TGF-β1 production and relieved joint capsule inflammation and fibrosis. In vitro, MIF facilitated TGF-β1 expression in primary joint capsule fibroblasts by activating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (P38, ERK) signaling through coupling with membrane surface receptor CD74, which in turn affected fibroblast functions and promoted MIF production. Our results reveal a novel function of trauma-induced MIF in the occurrence and development of joint capsule fibrosis. Further investigation of the underlying mechanism may provide potential therapeutic targets for PTJC.     

A Systematic Review on Phytochemistry,Ethnobotany and Biological Activities of the Genus Bunium L.

The aim of this review article is to present, for the first time, an appraisal of the phytochemical, ethnobotanical and pharmacological data on Bunium species. The literature search was conducted using the Scopus, Google Scholar and PubMed databases. The genus Bunium has been found to produce both essential oil (EO), mainly comprising monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, and non-volatile components mainly coumarins and flavonoids. There are several pharmacological activities associated with the Bunium species, especially antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal properties. The chemotaxonomic appraisal of the phytochemical pattern of the genus is in sink with the current classification of the family. Moreover, this review confirms the significant ethnobotanical and pharmacological potential of different Bunium species.     

Phytochemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Plants from the Genus Cissampelos

Cissampelos is a significant genus comprising of approximately 21 species of the medicinal plants (Menispermaceae). The plants of this genus are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments such as asthma, arthritis, dysentery, hyperglycemia, cardiopathy, hypertension and other related problems. These plants are rich in bioactive dibenzylisoquinoline and aborphine as well as small amounts of other ingredients. In recent years, the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Cissampelos genus have been paid more and more attention due to their diversity. Herein, we compile the chemical constituents and biological activities on this genus, and summarize the ¹³C-NMR data of the main bioactive ingredients. All information comes from scientific databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Sci-Finder, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and CNKI. It provides valuable data for the future research and development of Cissampelos genus.     

New Phenylpropanoid Glycosides from Illicium majus and Their Radical Scavenging Activities

Chemical investigation of the ethanol extract of the branch and leaves of Illicium majus resulted in the isolation of four new phenylpropanoid glycosides ( 1 – 4 ) and one new phenolic glycoside ( 9 ), along with 13 known ones. Spectroscopic techniques were used to elucidate the structures of the new isolates such as 3-[(2R,3S)-7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-5-yl]propyl β-D-glucopyranoside ( 1 ), [(2R,3S)-7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-3-yl]methyl 2-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside ( 2 ), [(2R,3S)-7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-3-yl]methyl 2-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-β-D-xylopyranoside ( 3 ), 3-[(2R,3S)-3-({[2-O-(4-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-xylopyranosyl]oxy}methyl)-7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-5-yl]propyl acetate ( 4 ), and 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)phenyl 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside ( 9 ). Free radical scavenging activities of the isolates were elucidated through the DPPH assay method. The most active compounds, 1-O-caffeoyl-β-D-glucopyranose ( 17 ) and soulieana acid 1 ( 18 ), exhibited moderate radical scavenging activities (IC₅₀=37.7±4.4 μM and IC₅₀=97.2±3.4 μM, respectively). The antibacterial activities of the isolates against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were also assessed, and no activity was shown at the measured concentration (<32 μg/mL).     

Reduced impact of ocean acidification on growth and swimming performance of newly hatched tropical sharks (Chiloscyllium plagiosum)

ABSTRACT

Sharks have been facing unprecedented pressure over the last decades, and ocean acidification may represent an additional threat, particularly during their most susceptible life stages. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of ocean acidification (control pCO₂ ~ 400 μatm; high pCO₂ ~ 900 μatm) on the growth, swimming performance and cholinergic system of juvenile white-spotted bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium plagiosum). After 45 days of exposure, we observed that high CO₂ did not affect most of the end-points studied. However, somatic growth rate and the percentage of time that sharks spent swimming was significantly reduced under high CO₂ conditions. Moreover, AChE activity decreased in two of the seven brain macroareas analyzed, the telencephalon and optic lobes. As this near-threatened shark species showed small sub-lethal effects to high CO₂ levels, we argue that within a longer time-frame they can potentially reduce individual performance with cascading consequences to shark population dynamics.     

Ceruloplasmin and myeloperoxidase in complex affect the enzymatic properties of each other

Ceruloplasmin (CP), the multicopper oxidase of plasma, interacts with myeloperoxidase (MPO), an enzyme of leukocytes, and inhibits its peroxidase and chlorinating activity. Studies on the enzymatic properties shows that CP behaves as a competitive inhibitor impeding the binding of aromatic substrates to the active centre of MPO. The contact between CP and MPO probably entails conformational changes close to the p-phenylenediamine binding site in CP, which explains the observed activation by MPO of the substrate's oxidation. CP subjected to partial proteolysis was virtually unable to inhibit activity of MPO. The possible protein–protein interface is comprised of the area near active site of MPO and the loop linking domains 5 and 6 in CP. One of the outcomes of this study is the finding of a new link between antioxidant properties of CP and its susceptibility to proteolysis.     

4,5-Dihydro-1H-pyrazole: an indispensable scaffold

Abstract

Pyrazoles, categorized as nitrogen-containing heterocycles, are well known for their interminable participation in the field of perpetual research and development of therapeutical active agents. As a consequence pyrazoles became an inevitable core of numerous drugs having diverse activities. The broad spectrum of activities portrayed by the pyrazoles instigated the researchers to modify the pyrazole ring as 4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles commonly known as 2-pyrazolines. The present review is a concerted effort to retrace compounds covered from 2009-till date which owe diverse biological activities to the 2-pyrazoline scaffold and also condenses the retro-synthetic approaches employed for their synthesis. This endeavor culminated in revelation that inhibitory potential varied when the substituents in particular N-substituents of 2-pyrazolines were altered.