Silencing Nrf2 attenuates chronic suppurative otitis media by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion through up-regulating TLR4

Compromised TLR-mediated chronic inflammation contributes to bacterial infection-caused chronic suppurative otitis media, but the mechanisms are unclear. The present study examined the expression status of nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and TLRs in human middle-ear mucosae tissues collected from patients with chronic suppurative otitis media, chronic otitis media and non-otitis media, and found that Nrf2 was high-expressed, whereas TLR4, instead of other TLRs, was low expressed in chronic suppurative otitis media compared to chronic otitis media and non-chronic otitis media groups. Consistently, inflammatory cytokines were significantly up-regulated in the chronic suppurative otitis media group, instead of the chronic otitis media and non-chronic otitis media groups. Next, LPS-induced acute otitis media and chronic suppurative otitis media models in mice were established, and high levels of inflammatory cytokines were sustained in the mucosae tissues of chronic suppurative otitis media mice compared to the non-otitis media and acute otitis media groups. Interestingly, continuous low-dose LPS stimulation promoted Nrf2 expression, but decreased TLR4 levels in chronic suppurative otitis media mice mucosae. In addition, knock-down of Nrf2 increased TLR4 expression levels in chronic suppurative otitis media mice, and both Nrf2 ablation and TLR4 overexpression inhibited the pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in chronic suppurative otitis media. Finally, we found that both Nrf2 overexpression and TLR4 deficiency promoted chronic inflammation in LPS-induced acute otitis media mice models. Taken together, knock-down of Nrf2 reversed chronic inflammation to attenuate chronic suppurative otitis media by up-regulating TLR4.     

GNB3, eNOS,and Mitochondrial DNA Polymorphisms Correlate to Natural Longevity in a Xinjiang Uygur Population

Background

In centenarian populations, application of the positive biology approach (examination of positive phenotypes in aging) has revealed that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation accumulation may be linked to human longevity; however, the role of guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) abnormalities modulated by G-protein beta-3 (GNB3) and nitrate (NO2) production associated with endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), commonly appearing in age-related diseases, remains undetermined.

Objective

The association between the mtDNA 5178A/C, mtDNA 10398A/G, GNB3 C825T, and eNOS polymorphisms and longevity in a Uygur population (Xinjiang region, China) were investigated.

Methods

A total of 275 experimental subjects aged ≥100 or with 4 generations currently living were screened for inclusion in the centenarian (>100 years) and nonagenarian groups (90–100 years), and 112 65–70 year old control subjects were selected. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to examine mtDNA 5178A/C, mtDNA 10398A/G, GNB3 C825T, and eNOS. Associations between polymorphic loci, genotypes, and longevity were analyzed.

Results

165 included subjects (M∶F = 107∶58; mean age = 97±3 years; mean age 100–113 years) were assigned to the centenarian (M∶F = 46/19; n = 65) and nonagenarian groups (M∶F = 61/39; n = 100). Associations between mtDNA C5178A and A10398G polymorphisms with longevity in the centenarian group with mtDNA genotype frequencies 5178A and 10398G were 66.79% and 36.8%.

Conclusions

Applying the overwhelming longevity observed in Uygur populations, these findings demonstrate that mtDNA 5178A/C and 10398A/G, GNB3 C825T, and eNOS polymorphisms are useful as a genetic basis for longevity.     

运动对细胞凋亡的影响

细胞凋亡是一种由基因控制的细胞自主性死亡过程,其性质为生理性细胞死亡。细胞凋亡的研究已成为生物医学领域中最热门的课题之一。运动可以诱导细胞凋亡,细胞凋亡发生的比率和程度与运动形式、运动强度和运动持续时间有关,其机制可能主要包括以下方面:影响凋亡相关基因、自由基的介导使氧化与抗氧化系统失衡,损伤线粒体的结构和功能以及机械损伤。为此就运动对细胞凋亡影响的一些新的研究进展进行了综述。     

37例微创非体外循环下冠脉搭桥手术的疗效观察

目的:探讨微创非体外循环下冠脉搭桥术(MIOPCAB)的临床疗效及其安全性.方法:回顾性分析37例实施MIOPCAB的临床资料,总结其手术效果及不良反应的发生情况.结果:37例冠心病病例共搭桥89支,全部病例围术期无心绞痛发作,活动量增加,心功能改善,7例出现心力衰竭,无围术期死亡,均顺利康复出院.结论:MIOPCAB术对患者的创伤小、安全、对各型冠心病均有一定的疗效,适应征广,值得临床推广应用.     

PTCA术联合SI术治疗冠心病273例的疗效分析

目的:探讨提高经皮冠状动脉成形术(PTCA术)联合支架植入术(SI术)手术成功率的经验.方法:选择273例冠心病人,在透视及心电压力监测下,行PTCA+SI术,术后行冠状动脉造影并随访评价其疗效.结果:冠状动脉造影显示无残余狭窄,技术成功率100％,术后随访1～12月,无心绞痛及心肌梗塞发生.结论:PTCA与PCI术创伤小,康复快,并发症少,是治疗冠心病最安全、有效的介入疗法.