Effect of Xiaoqinglong decoction on mucus hypersecretion in the airways and cilia function in a murine model of asthma

Objective:Xiaoqinglong decoction (XQL) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a prescription for asthma treatment.We explored the effects of XQL on mucus hypersecretion and ciliophagy in the airways of mice in which asthma had been induced by ovalbumin (OVA).Methods:Thirty-six mice were sensitized by OVA injection (i.p.) on day-0 and day-14 and challenged with 1% OVA on day 18-22.Then,they were divided into three groups:model,carbocysteine and XQL.From day-15 to day-22,the XQL group was administered XQL (10 g/kg,p.o.) 1 hour before each aerosol challenge with OVA.To evaluate the effect of XQL on mucus hypersecretion,AB-PAS staining,measurement of serum levels of interleukin (IL)-13,bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analyses,ciliophagy analyses,as well as coexpression of Light Chain 3 (LC3) and acetylated α-tubulin by immunofluorescence staining were undertaken.Results:Treatment with XQL (10 g/kg) attenuated mucus secretion in the airways,and reduced the positive areas of AB-PAS staining in histopathologic lung tissues (P <.05).IL-13 expression in serum (P <.01),OVA-induced inflammatory changes,and the number of white blood cells (P <.01) in BALF samples were also reduced.However,the effect on mucus secretion was less apparent in the carbocysteine group compared with the XQL group.XQL treatment also improved the cilia length and elicited a substantial reduction in ciliophagy and LC3 expression in the tracheal epithelium.Conclusion:XQL can attenuate cilia shortening,aid the clearance function of ciliated epithelial cells,and reduce mucus production in an OVA-induced asthma model in mice.XQL can inhibit mucus hypersecretion and could be a new type of pharmacotherapy.

经鼻内镜切除泪道上皮-肌上皮癌1例

上皮-肌上皮癌(epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma,EMC)是一种低度恶性肿瘤,极少发生于泪道。本文报道了1例原发于泪道的EMC患者:62岁男性,主因“右眼溢泪10年,间断右侧涕中带血5个月”入院;鼻内镜下右侧下鼻道可见淡红色结节样新生物,表面覆盖伪膜;影像学检查提示右侧泪囊、鼻泪管及下鼻道占位。患者在全身麻醉下接受右侧泪道肿瘤切除术:在鼻内镜下充分暴露泪道,见肿瘤主体位于右侧鼻泪管及下鼻道,部分突入泪囊。术中完整切除肿瘤。术后病理提示为“上皮-肌上皮癌”。患者术后溢泪症状消失,随访10个月,肿瘤未见复发。

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 protects obese rats from metabolic syndrome via promoting regulatory T cell-mediated resolution of inflammation

Vitamin D_3 has been found to produce therapeutic effects on obesity-associated insulin resistance and dyslipidemia through its potent anti-inflammatory activity, but the precise immunomodulatory mechanism remains poorly understood. In the present study we found that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D_3[1,25(OH)_2D_3], the biologically active form of vitamin D_3, significantly attenuated monosodium glutamate(MSG)-induced obesity and insulin resistance as indicated by body weight reduction, oral glucose tolerance improvement, and a glucose infusion rate increase as detected with hyperinsulinemiceuglycemic clamp. Moreover, 1,25(OH)_2D_3 not only restored pancreatic islet functions but also improved lipid metabolism in insulin-targeted tissues. The protective effects of 1,25(OH)_2D_3 on glycolipid metabolism were attributed to its ability to inhibit an obesity-activated inflammatory response in insulin secretory and targeted tissues, as indicated by reduced infiltration of macrophages in pancreas islets and adipose tissue while enhancing the expression of Tgf-β1 in liver tissue, which was accompanied byincreased infiltration of Treg cells in immune organs such as spleen and lymph node as well as in insulintargeted tissues such as liver, adipose, and muscle. Together, our findings suggest that 1,25(OH)_2D_3 serves as a beneficial immunomodulator for the prevention and treatment of obesity or metabolic syndrome through its anti-inflammatory effects.

Highlights of the 2nd International Symposium on Tribbles and Diseases: tribbles tremble in therapeutics for immunity, metabolism, fundamental cell biology and cancer

The Tribbles(TRIB) family of pseudokinase proteins has been shown to play key roles in cell cycle, metabolic diseases, chronic inflammatory disease, and cancer development. A better understanding of the mechanisms of TRIB pseudokinases could provide new insights for disease development and help promote TRIB proteins as novel therapeutic targets for drug discovery. At the 2 nd International Symposium on Tribbles and Diseases held on May 7–9, 2018 in Beijing, China, a group of leading Tribbles scientists reported their findings and ongoing studies about the effects of the different TRIB proteins in the areas of immunity, metabolism, fundamental cell biology and cancer. Here, we summarize important and insightful overviews from 4 keynote lectures, 13 plenary lectures and 8 short talks that took place during this meeting. These findings may offer new insights for the understanding of the roles of TRIB pseudokinases in the development of various diseases.