Effects of Lactobacillus on Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-Alpha) and Immune Function in Allergic Rhinitis Rats

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a type of nasal mucosal inflammation. Lactobacillus plays a critical role in maintaining micro-ecological balance. This study aims to detect its effects on IL-4, TNF-α, Th1 and Th2 in AR sprapue-dawley (SD) rat after lactobacillus intervention. Ovalbumin (OVA) allergic AR SD rat model was established and assigned into model group, experimental group and blank group followed by analysis of Nasal mucosa under the microscope, IL-4 and TNF-α level by ELISA and immunohistochemistry assay, and Th1 and Th2 cells in spleen by flow cytometry. AR symptom in experimental group was significantly severe compared to blank group, but relative better compared to model group (p < 0.05). Nasal mucosal hyperemia and inflammation was significantly ameliorated in experimental group with significantly increased Th1 cells and Th1/Th2 ratio and decreased Th2 cells compared to model group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Lactobacillus intervention reduced IL-4 and TNF-α expression in serum and tissue and ameliorated the inflammation in AR rat.

Untargeted and Targeted Metabolomics Reveal the Underlying Mechanism of Aspirin Eugenol Ester Ameliorating Rat Hyperlipidemia via Inhibiting FXR to Induce CYP7A1

Hyperlipidemia is an important lipid disorder and a risk factor for health. Aspirin eugenol ester (AEE) is a novel synthetic compound which is made up of two chemical structural units from aspirin and eugenol. Therapeutic effect of AEE on hyperlipidemia has been confirmed in animal model. But the action mechanism of AEE on hyperlipidemia is still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of AEE on liver and feces metabolic profile through UPLC-Q-TOF/MS-based untargeted metabolomics in hyperlipidemia hamster induced with high fat diet (HFD), and the effects of AEE on the expression of genes and proteins related to cholesterol and bile acid (BA) in HFD-induced hyperlipidemia SD rat. The concentrations of 26 bile acids (BAs) in the liver from hyperlipidemia SD rat were also quantified with the application of BA targeted metabolomics. The results of untargeted metabolomics showed that the underlying mechanism of AEE on hyperlipidemia was mainly associated with amino acid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, energy metabolism, BA metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. AEE induced the expression of the BA-synthetic enzymes cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) by the inhibition of BA nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in liver, which resulted in accelerating the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids and excrete in feces. The results of BA targeted metabolomics showed that AEE elevated the glycine-conjugated BA level and decreased the tauro-conjugated BA level. In conclusion, this study found that AEE decreased FXR and increased CYP7A1 in the liver, which might be the possible molecular mechanisms and targets of AEE for anti-hyperlipidemia therapies.

Effect of Whitlockite as a new bone substitute for bone formation in spinal fusion and ectopic ossification animal model

Background Bone substrates like hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate have been widely used for promoting spinal fusion and reducing the complications caused by autograft. Whitlockite has been reported to promote better bone formation in rat calvaria models compare with them, but no study investigated its effect on spinal fusion yet. Also, the higher osteoinductivity of whitlockite raised concern of ectopic ossification, which was a complication of spinal fusion surgery that should be avoided. Methods In this study, we compared the osteoinductivity of whitlockite, hydroxyapatite, and tricalcium phosphate porous particles with SD rat spine posterolateral fusion model and investigated whether whitlockite could induce ectopic ossification with SD rat abdominal pouch model. Results The micro-CT result from the posterolateral fusion model showed whitlockite had slightly but significantly higher percent bone volume than tricalcium phosphate, though none of the materials formed successful fusion with surrounding bone tissue. The histology results showed the bone formed on the cortical surface of the transverse process but did not form a bridge between the processes. The result from the abdominal pouch model showed whitlockite did not induce ectopic bone formation. Conclusion Whitlockite had a potential of being a better bone substrate hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate in spinal fusion with low risk of inducing ectopic ossification.

Effect of Brucine on Three Chondrocyte Apoptosis Models

With the development of people’s application technology of Strychnine, Strychnine is a relatively common type of medicine in the current clinical treatment of arthritis patients. And in the actual treatment, because strychnine has an important effect on the apoptosis of three kinds of chondrocytes. Better results can often be achieved through the use of horse money, which is of great significance to patients. The analysis of the influence of strychnose on the apoptosis of the three types of chondrocytes has become the focus of research in the academic and industry circles. The purpose of this article is to analyze the impact of Strychnoma chinensis on three chondrocyte apoptosis models. In this paper, by establishing a system for culturing rat chondrocytes in vitro, using nitric oxide in vitro cultured rat chondrocytes to induce their apoptosis, and observing the effect of Strychnine, the main monomer component of Chinese medicine Strychnine, on the cellular and molecular levels. The mechanism of SD rat chondrocyte apoptosis is to explore the establishment of a system for culturing rat chondrocytes in vitro. In this paper, rat chondrocytes cultured in vitro were induced by nitric oxide to induce their apoptosis, and the mechanism of strychnine, the main monomer component of Strychnine, was observed in order to explore the mechanism of strychnine on the apoptosis of SD rat chondrocytes in vitro. The experimental results showed that strychnine induced apoptosis of chondrocytes, and the survival rate of cells during 36h and 48h after administration was 99% and 97%, respectively. Its apoptotic rate decreases with the increase of the dose and time of strychnine.

Mogroside IIe Ameliorates Cardiomyopathy by Suppressing Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis in a Type 2 Diabetic Model

Mogroside IIe is primarily present in the unripe fruit of Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey, and it is the predominant saponin component. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of mogroside IIe (MGE IIe) on myocardial cell apoptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) rats by establishing a high-sugar and high-fat diet–induced model of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in SD rats and a homocysteine (Hcy)-induced apoptotic model in rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes. The results showed that MGE IIe decreased the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, but increased the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the SD rat model. Furthermore, MGE IIe decreased the levels of lactate dehydrogenase 2 (LDH2), creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme (CKMB), and creatine kinase (CK), and improved heart function. Additionally, MGE IIe inhibited the secretion of interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), improved myocardial morphology, and reduced myocardial apoptosis in the SD rat model. Furthermore, MGE IIe inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of active-caspase-3, -8, -9, -12, and Bax and Cyt-C, and promoted the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 in the SD rat model. Furthermore, MGE IIe suppressed homocysteine-induced apoptosis of H9c2 cells by inhibiting the activity of caspases-3, -8, -9, and -12. In conclusion, MGE IIe inhibits the apoptotic pathway, thereby relieving DCM in vivo and in vitro.

Nanochitin whisker enhances insecticidal activity of chemical pesticide for pest insect control and toxicity

Background Nanomaterials in plant protection promise many benefits over conventional pesticide products. Nano-enabled pesticides may alter the functionality or risk profile of active ingredients. Cationic nanochitin whiskers (NC) possess strong biological activity against wheat aphids. However, toxicity and synergistic effects of NC with chemical pesticides against pest insects has not been systemically reported. This study investigated the insecticidal enhancement by NC with Omethoate (40% EC), Imidacloprid (10% WP), and Acetamiprid (40% WG) for pest control using wheat aphid as piercing-sucking mouthparts insect. Fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled NC was used to monitor the uptake and transportation pathway of NC inside the target insects. Toxicity of NC was tested with Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for future application of NC in plant protection against pest insects. Results NCs synthesized by acidic hydrolysis were rod-like nanoparticles in a range of 50–150 nm in length and 30–50 nm in width, which examined by electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering methods. The charge density and zeta potential were about 63 mmol/kg and + 36.4 mV, respectively. By absorption and/or contact action of 30–50 mg/L of NC suspension, the corrected mortality of wheat aphids reached up to 80% or above after 12 h treatment, NC could be distributed through digestive system and relocated from mouth to other tissues inside the insect body. When associated with dilutions of conventional pesticides, the corrected mortality were significantly increased up to 95% or above. The dosage of the chemical pesticide and nanochitin in the mixtures (1:1 by volume) were all reduced to half. The acute oral toxicity Lethal Dose 50% (LD50) to SD rat is greater than 5000 mg/kg BW (body weight) in male and female, acute dermal toxicity LD50 is greater than 2000 mg/kg BW of NC. Conclusions NC has a strong promotive effect on insecticidal effectiveness of chemical insecticides. It was easily absorbed by plant, transported and distributed from mouth to other tissues of the insects while sucking plant fluid. Low acute oral and dermal toxicity to SD rat indicated that it is safe to apply in agriculture and food industry. NCs has a great potential for water-based nanopesticide formulation to reduce chemical pesticide use for future agro-environmental sustainability.

Mortality of Sprague Dawley (SD) Rat on Long Term High-Fat Diet (HFD)

Background and Objective: Heart failure is linked with metabolic syndrome due to an unbalanced dietary intake. Previous studies suggest that cardiac dysfunction is related to chronic inflammation due to injury within the heart muscle. This study focused on the examination and sudden death of Sprague Dawley (SD) rat which was on long-term High-Fat Diet (HFD). The outcomes will potentially provide an insight into future research in sudden death due to HFD. Methods: Total of 15 SD rats grouped into ten HFD and five on normal diet (ND); Female SD rats on HFD underwent physical examination, tissue analysis 12 hours post-death using Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) followed by morphological assessment and SD rats from ND used as control. Microscopic images processed using ImageJ and data analysis performed in SPSS software. Results: No significant physical trauma prior to death, however on the 60th day SD rat suffered chronic inflammation to cardiac tissues with Lee Index (LI) of 0.30, indicated the occurrence of Myocardial infarction (MI). The average mean between the size area of inflammation and the region on cardiac tissue is (834.19 ± 103.41) and 94.2% of inflammation activities explained by the four random regions of cardiac tissue (R2= 0.942, F(1, 2)= 32.401, p< 0.05), with every one unit increase in the size area of inflammation, the infected region of cardiac tissue is estimated to increase at 0.970 (?= 0.970, p< 0.05). Conclusion: Chronic inflammation resulted in myocardial injuries led to mortality of SD rats largely due to HFD.