A glycine-rich nuclear effector VdCE51 of Verticillium dahliae suppresses plant immune responses by inhibiting the accumulation of GhTRXH2

Verticillium dahliae is an important soil-borne fungal pathogen that causes great yield losses in many cash crops.Effectors of this fungus are known to regulate plant immunity but the mechanism much remains unclear.A glycine-rich nuclear effector,VdCE51,was able to suppress immune responses in tobacco against Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.This effector was a required factor for full virulence of V.dahliae,and its nuclear localization was a requisite for suppressing plant immunity.The thioredoxin GhTRXH2,identified as a positive regulator of plant immunity,was a host target of VdCE51.Our findings show a virulence regulating mechanism whereby the secreted nuclear effector VdCE51 interferes with the transcription of PR genes,and the SA signaling pathway by inhibiting the accumulation of GhTRXH2,thus suppressing plant immunity.

Thioredoxins Play a Crucial Role in Dynamic Acclimation of Photosynthesis in Fluctuating Light

Sunlight represents the energy source for photosynthesis and plant growth. When growing in the field, plant photosynthesis has to manage strong fluctuations in light intensities. Regulation based on the thio- redoxin （Trx） system is believed to ensure light-responsive control of photosynthetic reactions in the chlo- roplast. However, direct evidence for a role of this system in regulating dynamic acclimation of photosyn- thesis in fluctuating conditions is largely lacking. In this report we show that the ferredoxin-dependent Trxs ml and m2 as well as the NADPH-dependent NTRC are both indispensable for photosynthetic acclimation in fluctuating light intensities. Arabidopsis mutants with combined deficiency in Trxs ml and m2 show wild- type growth and photosynthesis under constant light condition, while photosynthetic parameters are strongly modified in rapidly alternating high and low light. Two independent trxmlm2 mutants show lower photosynthetic efficiency in high light, but surprisingly significantly higher photosynthetic efficiency in low light. Our data suggest that a main target of Trx ml and m2 is the NADP-malate dehydrogenase involved in export of excess reductive power from the chloroplast. The decreased photosynthetic efficiency in the high-light peaks may thus be explained by a reduced capacity of the trxm lm2 mutants in the rapid light acti-vation of this enzyme. In the ntrc mutant, dynamic responses of non-photochemical quenching of excita- tion energy and plastoquinone reduction state both were strongly attenuated in fluctuating light intensities, leading to a massive decrease in PSII quantum efficiency and a specific decrease in plant growth under these conditions. This is likely due to the decreased ability of the ntrc mutant to control the stromal NADP（H） redox poise. Taken together, our results indicate that NTRC is indispensable in ensuring the full range of dynamic responses of photosynthesis to optimize photosynthesis and maintain growth in fluctu- ating light, while Trxs ml and m2 are indispensable for full activation of photosynthesis in the high-light pe- riods but negatively affect photosynthetic efficiency in the low-light periods of fluctuating light.

Ongoing Applicative Studies of Plant Thioredoxins

Studies triggered by the discovery of the function of thioredoxin （Trx） in photosynthesis have revealed its role throughout biology. Parallel biochemical and proteomic analyses have led to the identification of its numerous puta- tive targets. Recently, to verify the biological significance of these targets, in vivo studies using transformants in which Trx is overexpressed or suppressed are in progress, and the transformants themselves that are being used in such studies show their potential applicative values. Moreover, Trx＇s mitigation of allergenicity for some proteins offers promising prospects in the food industry. Practical studies based on redox regulation, once only on the horizon, are now achieving new dimensions. This short review focuses on the industrial applications of Trx studies, the current situation, and future perspectives. The putative targets obtained by the proteomics approach in comparison with in vivo observations of the transformants are also examined. Applicative studies of glutathione, a counterpart of Trx, are also discussed briefly.

Photosynthetic Regulation of the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 Thioredoxin System and Functional Analysis of TrxB （Trx x） and TrxQ （Trx y） Thioredoxins

The expression of the genes encoding the ferredoxin-thioredoxin system including the ferredoxin-thioredoxin reductase （FTR） genes ftrC and ftrV and the four different thioredoxin genes trxA （m-type; sir0623）, trxB （x-type; sir1139）, trxC （sll1057） and trxQ （y-type; sir0233） of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 has been studied according to changes in the photosynthetic conditions. Experiments of light-dark transition indicate that the expression of all these genes except trxQ decreases in the dark in the absence of glucose in the growth medium. The use of two electron transport inhibitors, 3-（3,4-dichlorophenyl）-1,1-dimethylurea （DCMU） and 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p- benzoquinone （DBMIB）, reveals a differential effect on thioredoxin genes expression being trxC and trxQ almost unaffected, whereas trxA, trxB, and the ftr genes are down-regulated. In the presence of glucose, DCMU does not affect gene expression but DBMIB still does. Analysis of the single TrxB or TrxQ and the double TrxB TrxQ Synechocystis mutant strains reveal different functions for each of these thioredoxins under different growth conditions. Finally, a Synechocystis strain was generated containing a mutated version of TrxB （TrxBC34S）, which was used to identify the potential in-vivo targets of this thioredoxin by a proteomic analysis.

Roles of Thioredoxins in the Obligate Anaerobic Green Sulfur Photosynthetic Bacterium Chlorobaculum tepidum

Thioredoxin is a small ubiquitous protein that is involved in the dithiol-disulfide exchange reaction, byway of two cysteine residues located on the molecule surface. In order to elucidate the role of thioredoxin in Chlorobaculum tepidurn, an anaerobic green sulfur bacterium that uses various inorganic sulfur compounds and H2S as electron donors under strict anaerobic conditions for growth, we applied the thioredoxin affinity chromatography method （Motohashi et al., 2001）. In this study, 37 cytoplasmic proteins were captured as thioredoxin target candidates, including proteins involved in sulfur assimilation. Furthermore, six of the candidate proteins were members of the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle （pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase, pyruvate flavodoxin/ferredoxin oxidoreductase, ^-oxoglutarate synthase, citrate lyase, citrate synthase, malate dehydrogenase）. The redox sensitivity of three enzymes was then examined： citrate lyase, citrate synthase, and malate dehydrogenase, using their recombinant proteins. Based on the information relating to the target proteins, the significance of thioredoxin as a reductant for the metabolic pathway in the anaerobic photosynthetic bacteria is discussed.

抗细菌硫氧化还原蛋白Thioredoxin单克隆抗体的制备、鉴定与初步应用

硫氧化还原蛋白Ｔｈｉｏｒｅｄｏｘｉｎ(Ｔｒｘ)是一类存在于细菌、植物及动物等多种生物体内的耐热蛋白[1],含有保守的ＷＣＧＰＣ序列。还原态的Ｔｒｘ具有很强的蛋白二硫键氧化还原酶活性,作为核酸还原酶的供氢体在ＤＮＡ的合成与复制中起重要作用。大肠杆菌Ｔｒｘ蛋白...

日本血吸虫thioredoxin基因的克隆和表达

目的结合分子生物学和生物信息学方法筛选鉴定日本血吸虫新基因。方法从日本血吸虫(Schistosomajaponicum,大陆株)成虫cDNA文库中获取表达序列标签(expressedsequencetag,EST),用电子拼接的方法延伸序列,用NCBI提供的BLASTx程序和Genbank数据库进行同源性分析以筛选基因;设计特异性引物从日本血吸虫成虫mRNA中扩增筛选基因并预测和分析;扩增产物克隆到原核表达载体并表达。结果筛选出日本血吸虫Thioredoxin全长基因并对其进行了序列分析,克隆全长cDNA至PET原核载体并表达成功。结论结合EST、电子延伸和传统的分子生物学方法是高效筛选S.japonicum功能基因的有效策略。

Morphological alterations and redox changes associated with hepatic warm ischemia-reperfusion injury

AIM To study the effects of warm ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) injury on hepatic morphology at the ultrastructural level and to analyze the expression of the thioredoxin(TRX)and glutaredoxin(GRX) systems.METHODS Eleven patients undergoing liver resection were subjected to portal triad clamping(PTC). Liver biopsies were collected at three time points; first prior to PTC(baseline), 20 min after PTC(post-ischemia) and 20 min after reperfusion(post-reperfusion). Electron microscopy and morphometry were used to study and quantify ultrastructural changes, respectively. Additionally, gene expression analysis of TRX and GRX isoforms was performed by quantitative PCR. For further validation of redox protein status, immunogold staining was performed for the isoforms GRX1 and TRX1.RESULTS Post-ischemia, a significant loss of the liver sinusoidal endothelial cell(LSEC) lining was observed(P = 0.0003) accompanied by a decrease of hepatocyte microvilli in the space of Disse. Hepatocellular morphology was well preserved apart from the appearance of crystalline mitochondrial inclusions in 7 out of 11 patients. Postreperfusion biopsies had similar features as post-ischemia with the exception of signs of a reactivation of the LSECs. No changes in the expression of redox-regulatory genes could be observed at mR NA level of the isoforms of the TRX family but immunoelectron microscopy indicated a redistribution of TRX1 within the cell.CONCLUSION At the ultrastructural level, the major impact of hepatic warm I/R injury after PTC was borne by the LSECs with detachment and reactivation at ischemia and reperfusion, respectively. Hepatocytes morphology were well preserved. Crystalline inclusions in mitochondria were observed in the hepatocyte after ischemia.

重组人蛋白质二硫键异构酶活性片段的克隆与表达纯化策略

蛋白质二硫键异构酶(protein disulfide somerase,PDI)在体内或体外均可以非特异地催化其它蛋白质的二硫键的形成、还原和异构化,进而辅助蛋白的折叠和复性。近来发现PDI还具有非ATP依赖的分子伴侣的功能。鉴于PDI具有的重要功能,拟利用PDI来辅助基因工程产品的复性,如包含体蛋白(尤其是含有二硫键的蛋白),这将为基因工程产品的下游纯化复性,开拓新的思路。PDI含有两个硫氧还蛋白(thioredoxin,TRX)同源区a区和a′区,各含有一个CGHC活性位点,与TRX的CGPC位点同源。

Cooperative function of antioxidant and redox systems against oxidative stress in male reproductive tissues

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced under oxidative stress, such as high oxygen concentration and during the metabolic consumption of oxygen molecules. Male reproductive tissues appear to be continuously exposed to ROS produced by active metabolism. In addition, spermatozoa must pass through a high oxygen environment during the mating process. Thus, to maintain viable reproductive ability, a protective mechanism against oxidative stress is of importance. Here, we overview our current understanding of the cooperative function of antioxidative and redox systems that are involved in male fertility. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase are major enzymes that scavenge harmful ROS in male reproductive organs. In turn, glutathione and thioredoxin systems constitute the main redox systems that repair oxidized and damaged molecules and also play a role in regulating a variety of cellular functions. While glutathione functions as an antioxidant by donating electrons to glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin donates electrons to peroxiredoxin as a counterpart of glutathione peroxidase. In addition, aldo-keto reductases, which detoxify carbonyl compounds produced by oxidative stress, are present at high levels in the epithelia of the genital tract and Sertoli cells of the testis. Since these systems are involved in cross-talk, a comprehensive understanding will be required to maintain the physiological functions of male reproductive system.

A silybin-phospholipids complex counteracts rat fatty liver degeneration and mitochondrial oxidative changes

AIM:To investigate the effectiveness of antioxidant compounds in modulating mitochondrial oxidative alterations and lipids accumulation in fatty hepatocytes.METHODS:Silybin-phospholipid complex containing vitamin E(Realsil) was daily administered by gavage(one pouch diluted in 3 mL of water and containing 15 mg vitamin E and 47 mg silybin complexed with phospholipids) to rats fed a choline-deprived(CD) or a high fat diet [20% fat,containing 71% total calories as fat,11% as carbohydrate,and 18% as protein,high fat diet(HFD)] for 30 d and 60 d,respectively.The control group was fed a normal semi-purified diet containing adequate levels of choline(35% total calories as fat,47% as carbohydrate,and 18% as protein).Circulating and hepatic redox active and nitrogen regulating molecules(thioredoxin,glutathione,glutathione peroxidase),NO metabolites(nitrosothiols,nitrotyrosine),lipid peroxides [malondialdehyde-thiobarbituric(MDA-TBA)],and pro-inflammatory keratins(K-18) were measured on days 0,7,14,30,and 60.Mitochondrial respiratory chain proteins and the extent of hepatic fatty infiltration were evaluated.RESULTS:Both diet regimens produced liver steatosis(50% and 25% of liver slices with CD and HFD,respectively) with no signs of necro-inflammation:fat infiltration ranged from large droplets at day 14 to disseminated and confluent vacuoles resulting in microvesicular steatosis at day 30(CD) and day 60(HFD).In plasma,thioredoxin and nitrosothiols were not significantly changed,while MDA-TBA,nitrotyrosine(from 6 ± 1 nmol/L to 14 ± 3 nmol/L day 30 CD,P < 0.001,and 12 ± 2 nmol/L day 60 HFD,P < 0.001),and K-18(from 198 ± 20 to 289 ± 21 U/L day 30 CD,P < 0.001,and 242 ± 23 U/L day 60 HFD,P < 0.001) levels increased significantly with ongoing steatosis.In the liver,glutathione was decreased(from 34.0 ± 1.3 to 25.3 ± 1.2 nmol/mg prot day 30 CD,P < 0.001,and 22.4 ± 2.4 nmol/mg prot day 60 HFD,P < 0.001),while thioredoxin and glutathione peroxidase were initially increased and then decreased.Nitrosothiols were constantly increased.MDA-TBA levels were five-fold increased from 9.1 ± 1.2 nmol/g to 75.6 ± 5.4 nmol/g on day 30,P < 0.001(CD) and doubled with HFD on day 60.Realsil administration significantly lowered the extent of fat infiltration,maintained liver glutathione levels during the first half period,and halved its decrease during the second half.Also,Realsil modulated thioredoxin changes and the production of NO derivatives and significantly lowered MDA-TBA levels both in liver(from 73.6 ± 5.4 to 57.2 ± 6.3 nmol/g day 30 CD,P < 0.01 and from 27.3 ± 2.1 nmol/g to 20.5 ± 2.2 nmol/g day 60 HFD,P < 0.01) and in plasma.Changes in mitochondrial respiratory complexes were also attenuated by Realsil in HFD rats with a major protective effect on Complex Ⅱ subunit CII-30.CONCLUSION:Realsil administration effectively contrasts hepatocyte fat deposition,NO derivatives formation,and mitochondrial alterations,allowing the liver to maintain a better glutathione and thioredoxin antioxidant activity.

Pathogenic role of oxidative and nitrosative stress in primary biliary cirrhosis

Primary biliary cirrhosis is a multifactor autoimmune disease characterized by hepatic and systemic manifestations,with immune system dysregulation and abnormalities in the hepatic metabolism of bile salts,lipids,and nutrients,as well as destruction of membrane lipids and mitochondrial dysfunction.Both oxidative and nitrosative stress are associated with ongoing manifestations of the disease.In particular,abnormalities in nitric oxide metabolism and thiol oxidation already occur at early stages,thus leading to the hypothesis that these biochemical events play a pathogenic role in primary biliary cirrhosis.Moreover,the association of these metabolic abnormalities with the progression of the disease may indicate some biochemical parameters as early diagnostic markers of disease evolution,and may open up the potential for pharmacological intervention to inhibit intra-and extra-cellular stress events for resuming hepatocellular functions.The following paragraphs summarize the current knowledge by outlining molecular mechanisms of the disease related to these stress events.

Thioredoxin and thioredoxin-interacting protein as prognostic markers for gastric cancer recurrence

AIM:To evaluate the potential of thioredoxin (TXN) and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) expression as biomarkers for predicting gastric cancer recurrence. METHODS:TXN and TXNIP expression levels were acquired from gene expression microarray data for 65 human gastric cancer tissues. We determined whether each gene expression level was associated with cancer recurrence and investigated the relationship between the two genes. For validation, the expression levels of TXN and TXNIP were measured by quantitative real- time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in 68 independent stage Ⅲ gastric cancer patients. The correlation between gene expression and cancer prognosis was evaluated. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to investigate the protein expression levels of TXN and TXNIP and to characterize the expression patterns of each protein. RESULTS:TXN was a prognosis-related gene (P = 0.009), whereas TXNIP, a TXN inhibitor, demonstrated a negative correlation with TXN in the gene expression microarray data. In the 68 stage Ⅲ patients, the expression levels of both TXN and TXNIP had a statistically significant effect on recurrence-free survival (RFS, P = 0.008 and P = 0.036, respectively). The low TXN and high TXNIP expression group exhibited a better prognosis than the other groups, and the high TXN and low TXNIP expression group exhibited a poorer prognosis (P < 0.001 for RFS and P = 0.001 for overall survival). More than half of the patients in the simulta-neously high TXN and low TXNIP expression group ex- perienced a recurrence within 1 year after curative surgery, and the 5-year survival rate of the patients in this group was 29%, compared with 89% in the low TXN and high TXNIP expression group. The TXN protein was overexpressed in 65% of the gastric cancer tissues, whereas the TXNIP protein was underexpressed in 85% of the cancer cells. In a correlation analysis, TXN and TXNIP were highly correlated with many oncogenes and tumor suppressors as well as with genes related to energy, protein synthesis and autophagy. CONCLUSION:TXN and TXNIP are promising prognostic markers for gastric cancer, and performing personalized adjuvant treatment based on TXN and TXNIP expression levels would be an effective practice in the treatment of gastric cancer.

Thioredoxin interacting protein,a key molecular switch between oxidative stress and sterile inflammation in cellular response

Tissue and systemic inflammation have been the main culprit behind the cellular response to multiple insults and maintaining homeostasis.Obesity is an independent disease state that has been reported as a common risk factor for multiple metabolic and microvascular diseases including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),retinopathy,critical limb ischemia,and impaired angiogenesis.Sterile inflammation driven by high-fat diet,increased formation of reactive oxygen species,alteration of intracellular calcium level and associated release of inflammatory mediators,are the main common underlying forces in the pathophysiology of NAFLD,ischemic retinopathy,stroke,and aging brain.This work aims to examine the contribution of the pro-oxidative and pro-inflammatory thioredoxin interacting protein(TXNIP)to the expression and activation of NLRP3-inflammasome resulting in initiation or exacerbation of sterile inflammation in these disease states.Finally,the potential for TXNIP as a therapeutic target and whether TXNIP expression can be modulated using natural antioxidants or repurposing other drugs will be discussed.

Regulation of Reversible Dissociation of LHCII from PSII by Phosphorylation in Plants

LHCII is a crucial light-harvesting pigment/protein complex in photosystem II (PSII) supercomplex. It also participates in the light energy redistribution between photosystems and in the photoprotection via its reversible dissociation with PSII and PSI (photosystem I). This reversible detachment of LHCII is regulated by phosphorylation of its own and PSII core protein. Under low light conditions, LHCII is phosphorylated and dissociated with PSII core protein complex and combined with PSI, which balances the excitation energy between PSII and PSI;Under high light environment, the phosphorylation of PSII core proteins makes LHCII detach from PSII. The dissociated LHCII presents in a free state, which involves in the thermal dissipation of excess excitation energy. During photodamage, dual phosphorylations of both PSII core proteins and LHCII complexes occur. The phosphorylation of D1 is conductive to the disintegration of photodamaged PSII and the cycle of repair. In this circumstance, the phosphorylation of LHCII is induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and then the phosphorylated LHCII migrates to PSI, into the repair cycle of damaged PSII. The ferredoxin (Fdr) and thioredoxin (Tdr) system may play a possible central role in the phosphorylation regulation on LHCII dissociation.

Thioredoxin and glutaredoxin-mediated redox regulation of ribonucleotide reductase

Ribonucleotide reductase(RNR), the rate-limitingenzyme in DNA synthesis, catalyzes reduction of thedifferent ribonucleotides to their corresponding deoxyri-bonucleotides. The crucial role of RNR in DNA synthesishas made it an important target for the development ofantiviral and anticancer drugs. Taking account of the re-cent developments in this field of research, this reviewfocuses on the role of thioredoxin and glutaredoxin sys-tems in the redox reactions of the RNR catalysis.

Selenium and the Thioredoxin and Glutaredoxin Systems

Thioredoxin (Trx) is a small ubiquitous dithiol protein which together with the FADcontaining enzyme thioredoxin reductase (TR) and NADPH (the Trx system) is a hydrogen donor for ribonucleotide reductase essential for DNA synthesis and a general protein disulfide reductase involved in redox regulation. Selenite, selenodiglutathione (GS-Se-SG) and selenocystine are efficiently reduced by thioredoxins and also directly by NADPH and mammalian TR but not by the E. coli enzyme. Incubation of selenite or GS-Se-SG with the Trx system or with mammalian TR results in a rapid formation of selenide, which by redox cycling with oxygen may cause a large non-stoichiometric oxidation of NADPH. Selenocystine is efficiently reduced into two molecules of the selenol amino acid selenocysteine by mammalian TR with a Km-value (6μmol·L-1 ) and a high turnover number (kcat, 3200 min-1) almost identical to the natural substrate Trx-S2. TR also directly reduces lipid hydroperoxides and this peroxidase reaction is strongly stimulated by the presence of catalytic amounts of free selenocysteine. Glutaredoxin (Grx) which catalyzes GSH dependent disulfide reduction also via a redox-active disulfide and Trx are both efficient electron donors to the hut-nan plasrna glutathione peroxidase providing a mechanism by which human plasma glutathione peroxidase may reduce hydroperoxides in an environment almost free from glutathione. Selenate is reduced by Grx and Trx in the presence of GSH. The DNA-binding of the transcription factor AP-1 is strongly inhibited by GS-Se-SG and selenite. Furtherrnore, selenide formed by TR-mediated reduction of selenite and GS-Se-SG inhibits lipoxygenase and changes the electron spin resonance spectrum of the active site iron. Mammalian TR with two subunits of 57 kDa has recently been cloned and shown to be homologous to glutathione reductase. The rat enzyme contains a selenocysteine residue in a unique Cterminal position and a conserved SEClS sequence directing insertion of the selenocysteine. The discovery of selenocysteine in mammalian TR may explain the broad substrate specificity of the enzyme and the requirement of seleflium for cell proliferation

A novel thioredoxin reductase inhibitor inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in HL-60 and K562 cells

Human thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) system is associated with cancer cell growth and anti-apoptosis process. Effects of 1,2-bis(1,2-benzisoselenazolone-3(2H)-ketone)ethane (BBSKE),a novel TrxR inhibitor,were investigated on human leu-kemia cell lines HL-60 and K562. BBSKE treatment induced cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in both cell lines. Apoptosis induced by BBSKE is through Bcl-2/Bax and caspase-3 pathways. Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma-bearing mice were used to inves-tigate the anti-tumor effect of BBSKE in vivo. Tumor-bearing mice treated with BBSKE showed an increase of life span with a comparable effect to cyclophosphamide (CTX). These results suggest a potential usage of BBSKE as a therapeutic agent against non-solid tumors.

Artesunate Effect on Schistosome Thioredoxin Glutathione Reductase and Cytochrome c Peroxidase as New Molecular Targets in Schistosoma mansoni-infected Mice

Objective To investigate the possible effect of artesunate （ART） on schistosome thioredoxin glutathione reductase （TGR） and cytochrome c peroxidase （CcP） in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. Methods A total of 200 laboratory bred male Swiss albino mice were divided into 4 groups （50 mice in each group）. Group I： infected untreated group （Control group） received a vehicle of 1% sodium carbonyl methylcellulose （CMC-Na）; Group II： infected then treated with artesunate; Group III infected then treated with praziquantel, and group IV： infected then treated with artesunate then praziquantel. Adult S. mansoni worms were collected by Animal Perfusion Method, tissue egg counted, TGR, and CcP mRNA Expression were estimated of in $. mansoni adult worms by semi-quantitative rt-PCR. Results Semi-quantitative rt-PCR values revealed that treatment with artesunate caused significant decrease in expression of schistosome TGR and CcP in comparison to the untreated group. In contrast, the treatment with praziquantel did not cause significant change in expression of these genes. The results showed more reduction in total worm and female worm count in combined ART-PZQ treated group than in monotherapy treated groups by either ART or PZO, Moreover, complete disappearance （100%） of tissue eggs was recorded in ART-PZQ treated group with a respective reduction rate of 95.9% and 68.4% in ART- and PZQ-treated groups. Conclusion The current study elucidated for the first time that anti-schistosomal mechanisms of artesunate is mediated via reduction in expression of schistosome TGR and CcP. Linking these findings, addition of artesunate to praziquantel could achieve complete cure outcome in treatment of schistosomiasis.

Serum manganese superoxide dismutase and thioredoxin are potential prognostic markers for hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM:To evaluate the clinical significance of oxidative stress markers in patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV)related hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:Sixty-four consecutive patients who were admitted to Kagoshima University Medical and Dental Hospital were enrolled in this retrospective study.All patients had chronic liver disease(CLD) due to infection with HCV.Thirty patients with HCV-related HCC,34 with HCV-related CLD without HCC(non-HCC),and 20 healthy volunteers(HVs) were enrolled.Possible associations between serum manganese superoxide dismutase(MnSOD) and thioredoxin(TRX) levels and clinical parameters or patient prognosis were analyzed over a mean follow-up period of 31.7 mo.RESULTS:The serum MnSOD levels were significantly higher in patients with HCV-related HCC than in patients without HCC(P = 0.03) or HVs(P < 0.001).Similarly,serum TRX levels were also significantly higher in patients with HCV-related HCC than in patients without HCC(P = 0.04) or HVs(P < 0.01).However,serum levels of MnSOD and TRX were not correlated in patients with HCC.Among patients with HCC,the overall survival rate(OSR) was lower in patients with MnSOD levels ≥ 110 ng/mL than in patients with levels < 110 ng/mL(P = 0.01),and the OSR tended to be lower in patients with TRX levels < 80 ng/mL(P = 0.05).In addition,patient prognosis with HCC was poorest with serum MnSOD levels ≥ 110 ng/mL and serum TRX levels < 80 ng/mL.Furthermore,a multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazard model and serum levels of five factors(MnSOD,prothrombin time,serum albumin,serum α-fetoprotein(AFP),and serum des-γ-carboxy prothrombin) revealed that MnSOD levels ≥ 110 ng/mL(risk ratio:4.12,95% confidential interval:1.22-13.88,P = 0.02) and AFP levels ≥ 40 ng/mL(risk ratio:6.75;95% confidential interval:1.70-26.85,P < 0.01) were independent risk factors associated with a poor patient prognosis.CONCLUSION:Serum MnSOD and TRX levels are potential clinical biomarkers that predict patient prognosis in HCV-related HCC.