Gasdermin D-mediated hepatocyte pyroptosis expands inflammatory responses that aggravate acute liver failure by upregulating monocyte chemotactic protein 1/CC chemokine receptor-2 to recruit macrophages

BACKGROUND Massive hepatocyte death is the core event in acute liver failure(ALF).Gasdermin D(GSDMD)-mediated pyroptosis is a type of highly inflammatory cell death.However,the role of hepatocyte pyroptosis and its mechanisms of expanding inflammatory responses in ALF are unclear.AIM To investigate the role and mechanisms of GSDMD-mediated hepatocyte pyroptosis through in vitro and in vivo experiments.METHODS The expression of pyroptosis pathway-associated proteins in liver tissues from ALF patients and a hepatocyte injury model was examined by Western blot.GSDMD short hairpin RNA(shRNA)was used to investigate the effects of downregulation of GSDMD on monocyte chemotactic protein 1(MCP1)and its receptor CC chemokine receptor-2(CCR2)in vitro.For in vivo experiments,we used GSDMD knockout mice to investigate the role and mechanism of GSDMD in a D-galactose/lipopolysaccharide(D-Galn/LPS)-induced ALF mouse model.RESULTS The levels of pyroptosis pathway-associated proteins in liver tissue from ALF patients and a hepatocyte injury model increased significantly.The level of GSDMD-N protein increased most obviously(P<0.001).In vitro,downregulation of GSDMD by shRNA decreased the cell inhibition rate and the levels of MCP1/CCR2 proteins(P<0.01).In vivo,GSDMD knockout dramatically eliminated inflammatory damage in the liver and improved the survival of DGaln/LPS-induced ALF mice(P<0.001).Unlike the mechanism of immune cell pyroptosis that involves releasing interleukin(IL)-1βand IL-18,GSDMDmediated hepatocyte pyroptosis recruited macrophages via MCP1/CCR2 to aggravate hepatocyte death.However,this pathological process was inhibited after knocking down GSDMD.CONCLUSION GSDMD-mediated hepatocyte pyroptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ALF,recruiting macrophages to release inflammatory mediators by upregulating MCP1/CCR2 and leading to expansion of the inflammatory responses.GSDMD knockout can reduce hepatocyte death and inflammatory responses,thus alleviating ALF.

Analysis of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 gene polymorphism in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

AIM:To investigate a genetic polymorphism of the monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1 ) gene in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP).METHODS:MCP-1 genotyping was performed in 23 patients with SBP and 83 cirrhotic control patients with non-infected ascites.RESULTS:The frequency of carriers of the G-allele was lower in SBP patients but this difference did not reach statistical significance. However,in the subgroup of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (n=80),carriers of the G-allele were significantly less frequent in SBP-patients (38.1%) than in cirrhotic controls (67.8%,P=0.021). CONCLUSION:In patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis,the-2518 MCP-1 genotype AA is a risk factor for the development of SBP.

Molecular detection of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 polymorphism in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis patients

AIM: To investigate the association of the functional monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) promoter polymorphism (A-2518G) with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP).

Expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1/CCL2 in gastric cancer and its relationship with tumor hypoxia

AIM: To investigate the expression and prognostic value of CCL2 in gastric cancer, as well as its relationship with tumor hypoxia.

Plasma monocyte chemotactic protein-1 remains elevated after minimally invasive colorectal cancer resection

AIM: To investigate plasma Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 levels preoperatively in colorectal cancer(CRC) and benign patients and postoperatively after CRC resection.METHODS: A plasma bank was screened for minimally invasive colorectal cancer resection(MICR) for CRC and benign disease(BEN) patients for whom preoperative, early postoperative, and 1 or more late postoperative samples(postoperative day 7-27) were available. Monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1) levels(pg/mL) were determined via enzyme linked immuno-absorbent assay. RESULTS: One hundred and two CRC and 86 BEN patients were studied. The CRC patient's median preoperative MCP-1 level(283.1, CI: 256.0, 294.3) was higher than the BEN group level(227.5, CI: 200.2, 245.2; P = 0.0004). Vs CRC preoperative levels, elevated MCP-1 plasma levels were found on postoperative day 1(446.3, CI: 418.0, 520.1), postoperative day 3(342.7, CI: 320.4, 377.4), postoperative day 7-13(326.5, CI: 299.4, 354.1), postoperative day 14-20(361.6, CI: 287.8, 407.9), and postoperative day 21-27(318.1, CI: 287.2, 371.6; P < 0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: Preoperative MCP-1 levels were higher in CRC patients(vs BEN). After MICR for CRC, MCP-1 levels were elevated for 1 mo and may promote angiogenesis, cancer recurrence and metastasis.

Chemotactic signaling and beyond: link between interleukin-16 and axonal degeneration in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis（MS）is a progressive inflammatory,and chronic demyelinating,neurodegenerative disease of central nervous system（CNS）.Autoimmune responses to myelin and other CNS antigens mediated by cluster of differentiation 4（CD4＋）T cells are critical for initiation and progression of disease.Migration of autoimmune T cells from the peripheral lymph organs into CNS parenchyma leads to inflammation,demyelination and damage of axonal cytoskeleton, which manifest in decreased impulse conduction velocity of motor and sensory nerves. Myelin and axonal pathology causes motor, sensory and autonomic nerve dysfunction, including optic nerve damage leading to double or distorted vision; paresis and paralysis of extremities, painful sensations, and bladder sphincter dysfunction, manifested as bladder incontinence. Gray matter pa- thology in cortical and subcortical regions, including cerebellum and hippocampus underlies cognitive and behavioral dysfunction consisting of memory deficits, depression, and ataxic gait and tremor.

POTENTIATION OF BOANMYCIN ANTITUMOR ACTIVITY BY CHEMOTACTIC PEPTIDE

Objective: Chemotactic peptide may interfere with the process of tumor growth, invasion and metastasis by activating and attracting leukocytes containing macrophages. fMLP (CHO-Met-II e-Phe) is one of the chemotactic peptides. Boanmycin (BAM), a single A6 component from the bleomycin complex, is effective against a panel of cancers in clinical trials. This study was set to investigate the antitumor activity of BAM in combination with chemotactic peptide fMLP. Methods: Cytotoxicity of BAM and fMLP to cancer cells was determined by MTT assay. Therapeutic effect was evaluated by using the model of subcutaneously transplanted hepatoma 22 in mice. Results were judged as that a CDI less than 0.85 was considered as synergism and one less than 0.75 as significant synergism. Results: BAM and fMLP showed no synergism in cytotoxicity to cancer cells. In all in vivo experiments, fMLP was administered peritumorally at the dose of 1 mg/mouse; no significant inhibition by fMLP alone on the growth of hepatoma 22 was found. Different settings of BAM and fMLP combination included: (1) BAM, administered peritumorally×3, was started 24 h after tumor inoculation. BAM (0.5 mg/kg) alone and BAM-fMLP combination inhibited the growth of hepatoma 22 by 26.6% and 64.7%, respectively (P<0.05, CDI=0.36) on day 13. (2) BAM, administered ip×3, was started 24 h after tumor inoculation. The growth of tumor in BAM (1 mg/kg) group was faster than that in BAM-fMLP combination group. On day 14, BAM (1 mg/kg) alone and BAM-fMLP combination suppressed the growth of tumor by 11% and 70.6%, respectively (P<0.05), CDI=0.42). (3) BAM, administered ip×3, was started 96 h after tumor inoculation. The growth of tumor in BAM (1 mg/kg) group was faster than that in BAM-fMLP combination group. On day 13, BAM (1 mg/kg) alone and BAM-fMLP combination suppressed tumor growth by 38.2% and 77.1%, respectively (P<0.05, CDI=0.51). As shown in all in vivo experimental settings, antitumor effect of BAM in combination with fMLP was much more potent than that of BAM alone. Conclusion: This experiment shows that chemotactic peptide fMLP may enhance the antitumor effect of BAM, which indicates that chemotactic modulation may play a positive role in cancer chemotherapy.

Effect of Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 on the Intraperitoneal Adhesion Formation

In order to study the role of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in the intra-peri- toneal adhesion formation, 23 infertile patients undergoing laparoscopic operation were divided into two groups: experimental group including 12 patients with intra-peritoneal adhesion and control group including 11 patients without intra-peritoneal adhesion. Peritoneal fluid (PF) and peritoneum were collected from these patients during laparoscopic examination. The expression levels of MCP-1 protein and MCP-1 mRNA were detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and dot blot analysis method respectively. It was found that the levels of MCP-l protein in PF of the patients with peritoneal adhesion were significantly higher than in the control group (0.44±0. 11 ng/ ml vs 0. 19±0.09 ng/ml respectively, P<0. 01). The level of MCP-l mRNA in the peritoneum of the patients with peritoneal adhesion was significantly higher than in the control group (48. 61±3. 72 vs 19.87±2.54 respectively, P<0. 01). It was suggested that MCP-1 might play a role in the adhe- sion formation, and chemotactic cytokines expressing in the peritoneal mesothelial cells might be take part in the process.

Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 gene polymorphism and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

I read with great interest the article by Gbele et al published in issue 44 of World J Gastroenterol 2009.The results of their study indicate that-2518 Monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1)genotype AA is a risk factor for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.However,there are some items that need to be discussed.

Clinicopathological significance of chemotactic factor IL-8, MCP-1 and MIP-1α expressions in gallbladder carcinoma

Objective：Gal bladder carcinoma was one of the malignant tumors in the digestive system, characterized by high recurrence and invasion. Recent research indicates that chemotactic factors such as IL-8, MCP-1 and MIP-1αhave played an important role in such aspects as formulation, growth, shifting of the tumor. The aim of this study was to investigate expressions of IL-8, MCP-1 and MIP-1αin gal bladder adenocarcinoma tissues. Methods：Gal bladder adenocarcinoma and noncancerous tissues were routinely formalin-fixed and paraf in-embedded, and in situ hybridization assay for IL-8, MCP-1 and MIP-1αmRNA. Results：（1） The positive rates or the scorings of IL-8, MCP-1 and MIP-1αmRNA were significantly higher in human gal bladder adenocarcinoma than those in human chronic cholecystitis （P〈0.01）. The positive rates or the scorings of three factors were lower in wel-dif erentiatiated gal bladder adenocarcinoma than in poorly-dif erenfiatted ones, whereas there was only one significant dif erence between MCP-1 mRNA （P〈0.05）. The closely positive correlation were found among IL-8, MCP-1 and MIP-1αmRNA. （2） Both the positive rates of IL-8 mRNA and MCP-1 mRNA as wel as their scorings were tightly related to their invasion of the common bile duct and the occurrence of lymph node transfer, moreover, the positive rates of MIP-1αmRNA and its scorings were tightly related to its invasion of liver. （3） Close positive correlation exists not only in IL-8 mRNA and MCP-1 mRNA （r=0.528）, but also in MIP-1αmRNA and IL-8 mRNA （r=0.422）, so does in MCP-1 mRNA and MIP-1αmRNA （r=0.638）. Conclusion：The positive rates or the scorings of IL-8, MCP-1 and MIP-1αmRNA are significantly higher in human gal bladder adenocarcinoma than those in human chronic cholecystitis, and the closely positive correlation are found among them, which suggests that IL-8, MCP-1 and MIP-1αregulate and influence the development and transformation of the gal bladder adencarcinoma together.

Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 increases homing of mesenchymal stem cell to injured myocardium and neovascularization following myocardial infarction

Objective：To investigate the effect of MCP-1 on mesenchymal stem cells（MSCs） homing to injured myocardium in a rat myocardial infarction（MI） model. Methods：Rat myocardial infarction model was established by permanent left anterior descending branch ligation. Mesenchymal stem cells from donor rats were cultured in IMDM and labeled with BrdU. The Rats were divided into two groups. Monocyte chemotactic protein I（MCP-1） expression were measured by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry in the sham operated or infarcted hearts at 1, 2, 4, 7, 14 and 28 days post operation in MCP-1 detection group. The rats were injected with MCP-1, anti-MCP-1 antibody or saline 4 days after myocardial infarction in intervention group. Then, a total of 5 × 10^6 cells in 2.5 ml of PBS were injected through the tail vein. The number of the labeled MSCs in the infarcted hearts was counted 3 days post injection. Cardiac function and blood vessel density were assessed 28 days post injection. Results：Self-generating MCP-1 expression was increased at the first day, peaked at the 7^th day and decreased thereafter post MI and remained unchanged in sham operated hearts. The MSCs enrichment in the host hearts were more abundant in the MI groups than that in the non-MI group（P= 0.000）, the MSCs enrichment in the host hearts were more abundant in the MCP-1 injected group than that in the anti-MCP-1 antibody and saline injected groups （P = 0.000）. Cardiac function was improved more in MCP-1 injected group than anti-MCP-1 antibody and saline injected groups（P= 0.000）. Neovascularization in MCP-1 injected group significantly increased compared with that of other groups（P = 0.000）. Conclusion： Myocardial MCP-1 expression was increased only in the early phase post MI. MCP-1 may enhance MSCs homing to the injured heart and improve cardiac function by promoting neovascularization.

Effects of Irbesartan and Metformin on tumor necrosis factor receptor and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 in patients with early diabetic nephropathy

Objective: To explore the effect of Irbesartan and Metformin on tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in patients with early diabetic nephropathy. Methods: A total of 162 patients with early diabetic nephropathy who had been admitted to the Hospital between February 2017 and February 2018 were randomly assigned into a Metformin group, an Irbesartan group, and a combination therapy group. The Metformin group were treated with oral Metformin, those in the Irbesartan group were given oral Irbesartan for treatment, and the combination therapy group was treated with Metformin combined with Irbesartan. After 3 months of continuous treatment, the levels of sTNFR1, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, glucose metabolism index, proteinuria, and serum creatinine levels in the two groups were compared. Results:After treatment, the levels of sTNFR1, sICAM-1, hs-CRP, and MCP-1 in the three groups decreased compared with those before treatment, and the levels in the combination therapy group were all shown to be lower than those of the Metformin group and the Irbesartan group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The levels of glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting blood glucose in the three groups were significantly lower than before treatment, and those in the combination therapy group were lower than the Metformin group and Irbesartan group, where the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The 24-hour urinary protein quantification, urinary albumin excretion rate, and serum creatinine in the combination therapy group were lower than those in the Metformin group and in the Irbesartan group, where the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: The effects of metformin combined with irbesartan on early diabetic nephropathy patients were significant, which can effectively reduce the levels of serum sTNFR1 and MCP-1, relieve inflammation and improve glucose metabolism and proteinuria level.

Monocyte chemotactic protein-inducing protein 1 negatively regulating asthmatic airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion involvingγ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro

Background:Mounting evidence,consistent with our previous study,showed thatγ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor(GABAAR)played an indispensable role in airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in asthma.Monocyte chemotactic protein-inducing protein 1(MCPIP1)was a key negative regulator of inflammation.Recent studies showed that inflammation was largely suppressed by enhanced MCPIP1 expression in many inflammatory diseases.However,the role and potential mechanism of MCPIP1 in airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in asthma were still not well studied.This study was to explore the role of MCPIP1 in asthmatic airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in both mice and BEAS-2B cells,and its potential mechanism.Methods:In vivo,mice were sensitized and challenged by ovalbumin(OVA)to induce asthma.Airway inflammation and mucus secretion were analyzed.In vitro,BEAS-2B cells were chosen.Interleukin(IL)-13 was used to stimulate inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in cells.MCPIP1 Lentiviral vector(LA-MCPIP1)and plasmid-MCPIP1 were used to up-regulate MCPIP1 in lung and cells,respectively.MCP-1,thymic stromal lymphopoietin(TSLP),mucin 5AC(MUC5AC),MCPIP1,and GABAARβ2 expressions were measured in both lung and BEAS-2B cells.Immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe the expression of GABAARβ2 in cells.Results:MCPIP1 was up-regulated by LA-MCPIP1(P<0.001)and plasmid-MCPIP1(P<0.001)in lung and cells,respectively.OVA-induced airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion,OVA-enhanced MCP-1,TSLP,MUC5AC,and GABAARβ2 expressions,and OVA-reduced MCPIP1 were significantly blunted by LA-MCPIP1 in mice(all P<0.001).IL-13-enhanced MCP-1,TSLP,MUC5AC,and GABAARβ2 expressions,and IL-13-reduced MCPIP1 were markedly abrogated by plasmid-MCPIP1 in BEAS-2B cells(all P<0.001).Conclusion:The results of this study suggested that OVA and IL-13-induced airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion were negatively regulated by MCPIP1 in both lung and BEAS-2B cells,involving GABAAR signaling pathway.

Minimally modified low-density lipoprotein induces monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression in vivo and a novel model for monocyte adhesion to arterial intima

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Role of major adipokines in hypertension:A literature review

The incidence and prevalence of hypertension are increasing as a consequence of the obesity epidemic.Adipocytes and their variety of factors make contributions to the long-term regulation of blood pressure.The pathophysiologic states of hypertension,including obesity,are regulated by the production of adipocytederived factors.Increased body mass index was closely linked to elevated blood pressure.Mostly the hypertensive subjects were obese as well as overweight.There are numerous adipokines,however,this review article only focuses on the major adipokines including chemerin,visfatin,retinol-binding protein 4,plasminogen activator inhibitor-1,monocyte chemotactic protein-1,omentin-1,lipocalin-2,vaspin,progranulin,complement c1q tumor necrosis factor-related protein,and nesfatin-1 role in the pathogenesis of hypertension.This review article concludes the significant association of major adipokines in the pathogenesis of hypertensives.New research should be focused on other newly reported adipokine roles in hypertensive subjects and the management of these adipokines in hypertensive subjects.The discovery of this information could result in the creation of antihypertensive medications,particularly those that focus on obesity-related hypertension.

Inhibitory effect of CCR3 signal on alkali-induced corneal neovascularization

AIM: To investigate the effect of CC chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3) signal on corneal neovascularization (CRNV) induced by alkali burn and to explore its mechanism. METHODS: Specific pathogen-free male BALB/C mice (aged 6-8 weeks) were randomly divided into CCR3-antagonist treated group (experimental group) and control group. CRNV was induced by alkali burn in mice. The time kinetic CCR3 expression in injured corneas was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). CCR3-antagonist (SB-328437 at different concentration of 125 mu g/mL, 250 mu g/mL, and 500 mu g/mL) was locally administrated after alkali injury. The formation of CRNV was assessed by CD31 corneal whole mount staining at two weeks after injury. Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), monocyte chemotactic protein 3 (MCP-3) expressions in the early phase after injury were quantified and compared by RT-PCR. Macrophage intracorneal accumulation in the early phase after injury was evaluated and compared by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Alkali injury induced the time kinetic intracorneal CCR3 expression. 500 mu g/mL of CCR3-antagonist treatment in the early phase but not the late phase resulted in significant impaired CRNV as compared to control group (P <0.05). CCR3-antagonist treatment in the early phase significantly reduced the intracorneal MCP-1 and MCP-3 enhancement compare to control group at day 2 and day 4 (P <0.05). Moreover, the number of intracorneal macrophage infiltration in the experimental group was reduced than those in control group at day 4 (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: CCR3 signal is involved in alkali-induced CRNV. CCR3-antagonist can inhibit alkali-induced CRNV by reducing the intracorneal MCP-1 and MCP-3 mRNA expression and the intracorneal macrophage infiltration.

Prediction of severe acute pancreatitis:Current knowledge and novel insights

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common and potentially lethal acute inflammatory process with a highly variable clinical course. It is still unclear why some patients progress to organ failure and others do not. Physicians, ability to predict which patients will develop severe disease is limited. Routine clinical and laboratory data and multi-factorial clinical scores measured on admission and during the first 48 h of hospitalization are currently the standards of care used to estimate the magnitude of the inflammatory response to injury. Current literature highlights several common environmental, metabolic and genetic factors that increase the risk of AP development and subsequent adverse sequelae. Several cytokines have been found to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of AP by driving the subsequent inflammatory response, to include tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). Large, prospective studies are still needed to address these questions by identifying AP risk factors and serum biomarkers of severe disease.

Clinical significance of dynamic detection for serum levels of MCP-1,TNF-α and IL-8 in patients with acute pancreatitis

Objective:To observe dynamic changes of levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-8(IL-8) in patients with acute pancreatitis and to investigate its evaluation value on the severity of acute pancreatitis.Methods:A total of 109 patients with acute pancreatitis admitted were divided into mild acute pancreatitis group(MAP group,42 cases),moderately severe acute pancreatitis(MSAP group,35 cases)and severe acute pancreatitis(SAP group,32 cases).ELISA was used to detect the serum levels of MCP-1,TNF-α and IL-8 of patients at day 1,day 4 and day 7 of admission to hospital.Results:The serum levels of MCP-1,TNF-α and IL-8 from MAP group,MSAP group and SAP group at day 1 of admission to hospital all significantly increased.There was a significant difference between MAP group and control group,MSAP group and MAP group,SAP group and MSAP group(P<0.05).The serum concentrations of IL-8 from MASP group and SAP group obviously increased at day 1,and there was significant difference between MASP group and MAP group,SAP group and MSAP group(P<0.05),while the difference between MAP group and control group was not obvious(P>0.05);The serum concentrations of MCP-1,TNF-α and IL-8 from MAP group all reached the highest level at day 4,which were significantly higher than the detection levels at day 1.In MSAP group and SAP group,the serum concentrations of MCP-1,TNF-α and IL-8 were the highest at day 1,which were significantly higher than the detection levels at day 4 and 7.At each detecting timing,the serum concentrations of MCP-1,TNF-α and IL-8 from MSAP group and SAP group were all higher than those of MAP group and MSAP group,respectively.Conclusions:The dynamic changes of serum levels of MCP-1,TNF-α and IL-8 in patients with acute pancreatitis have their rules,and the change rule of MAP group was different with that of MSAP and SAP group,which showed the reference value for the diagnosis and illness severity evaluation of acute pancreatitis.

Protective effects of MCP-1 inhibitor on a rat model of severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: Chemokines and their receptors play key roles in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. This study aimed to establish a rat model of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) for investigating monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in the pathogenesis of the disease. We assessed the effects of the inhibitor of MCP-1, Bindarit, on SAP and explored the mechanisms underlying SAP. METHODS: Seventy-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a saline control group (group S), an SAP group (group P), and a Bindarit group (group T). The SAP model was induced by retrograde infusion of 4% sodium taurocholate into the bilio-pancreatic duct. Based on the SAP model, Bindarit was injected intraperitoneally in group T, and 0.5% methyl cellulose was injected intraperitoneally in groups S and P. In group S, saline was retrogradely infused into the bilpancreatic duct. Serum amylase levels and the histological changes in the pancreas were assessed at different time-points in each group. Expression of MCP-1 in serum was measured by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). MCP-1 protein and mRNA expression levels were detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Serum amylase levels in groups P and T were higher than those in group S. Serum amylase levels were significantly lower in group T than in group P at 6 and 12 hours after operation. The levels of MCP-1 in serum at 6 and 12 hours after operation in group P were significantly higher than in group S, and significantly lower in group T than in group P at 6 and 12 hours after operation. The pathological damage in the pancreas was milder in group T than in group P. MCP-1 protein and mRNA expression levels in the pancreas were higher in groups P and T than in group S. These expression levels were positively correlated with the pathological damage of pancreatic tissues. The activity of MCP-1 in group T was significantly lower than in group P. CONCLUSION: MCP-1 may play important roles in the pathogenesis of SAP. The data suggest that Bindarit ameliorates SAP by inhibiting the activity of MCP-1 in vivo. (Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2010; 9: 201-207)

Potential mechanism of corpus-predominant gastritis after PPI therapy in Helicobacter pylori-positive patients with GERD

The long-term use of proton pump inhibitors(PPIs)exacerbates corpus atrophic gastritis in patients with Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)infection.To identify a potential mechanism for this change,we discuss interactions between pH,bile acids,and H.pylori.Duodenogastric reflux,which includes bile,occurs in healthy individuals,and bile reflux is increased in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD).Diluted human plasma and bile acids have been found to be significant chemoattractants and chemorepellents,respectively,for the bacillus H.pylori.Although only taurine conjugates,with a pKa of 1.8-1.9,are soluble in an acidic environment,glycine conjugates,with a pKa of 4.3-5.2,as well as taurine-conjugated bile acids are soluble in the presence of PPI therapy.Thus,the soluble bile acid concentrations in the gastric contents of patients with GERD after continuous PPI therapy are considerably higher than that in those with intact acid production.In the distal stomach,the high concentration of soluble bile acids is likely to act as a bactericide or chemorepellent for H.pylori.In contrast,the mucous layer in the proximal stomach has an optimal bile concentration that forms chemotactic gradients with plasma components required to direct H.pylori to the epithelial surface.H.pylori may then colonize in the stomach body rather than in the pyloric antrum,which may explain the occurrence of corpus-predominant gastritis after PPI therapy in H.pylori-positive patients with GERD.