Assessment of the Number and Function of Macrophages in the Placenta of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Patients

In order to assess the number and function of macrophages in the placenta of pregnancy complicated with gestational diabetes mellitus （GDM） as well as those of normal pregnancies, placenta samples were collected from 15 GDM patients （GDM group） and 10 normal pregnant women （control group）. The expression levels of macrophage markers （CD68/CD14） and inflammatory cytokines （IL-6/TNF-α） in placenta were detected using immunohistochemistry and PCR. The results showed that the number of CD68＋ or CD14＋ cells in the GMD group was remarkably higher than that in the control group （P〈0.05）, indicating that the number of macrophages in the GDM group was significantly greater than that in the control group. The mRNA expression levels of CD68＋, IL-6 and TNF-α were higher in the GMD group than in the control group. In conclusion, more macrophages accumulate in placenta of pregnancy complicated with GDM, and the expression levels of pro-inflammation factors are also in- creased in GDM pregnancies, suggesting that macrophages and inflammatory mediators （IL-6 and TNF-α） mav olav an imoortant role in GDM.

Predicted pro-inflammatory hs-CRP score and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Background:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a major contributor to liver diseases globally,yet there are limited studies investigating the impact of diet and lifestyle factors on its development.This study aimed to examine the association between the prevalence of NAFLD and predicted pro-inflammatory high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)score.Methods:We included 1,076 Korean adults who underwent a medical examination at the Seoul National University Hospital Gangnam Healthcare Center in Korea between May and December 2011 and updated in 2021.The predicted pro-inflammatory hs-CRP score was derived from pro-inflammatory demographic,lifestyle,dietary,and anthropometric factors,and NAFLD was diagnosed using liver ultrasound.Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios(ORs)and 95%confidence intervals(CIs)of NAFLD odds according to predicted pro-inflammatory hs-CRP score were estimated using logistic regression at a two-sided P<0.05.Results:Among the 1,076 participants,320 had NAFLD.The multivariable-adjusted ORs and 95%CIs for NAFLD by tertiles of predicted pro-inflammatory hs-CRP score were 1.00,3.30(2.06,5.30),18.25(10.47,31.81;P<0.0001)in men and women combined,1.00,1.77(1.10,2.84),and 3.26(2.02,5.28;P<0.0001)among men only,and 1.00,3.03(1.39,6.62),and 16.71(7.05,39.63;P<0.0001)among women only.Conclusions:Predicted pro-inflammatory hs-CRP score was associated with higher odds of NAFLD.Adopting dietary and lifestyle changes related to lower inflammation might be a valuable strategy for preventing NAFLD.

A polysaccharide purified from Radix Adenophorae promotes cell activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in murine RAW264.7 macrophages

Radix Adenophorae, a traditional Chinese medicine, has been reported to have a variety of biological functions. In the present study, a polysaccharide component, Radix Adenophorae Polysaccharide （RAPS）, was purified from Radix Adenophorae by decoloring with ADS-7 macroporous adsorption resin, DEAE-52 cellulose ion-exchange chromatography, and Sephacryl S-300HR gel chromatography, with the purity of 98.3% and a molecular weight of 1.8 × 104 Da. The cell viability assay and microscopic examination revealed that RAPS promoted the proliferation and activation of macrophages. At 400 μg·mL-1, RAPS stimulated RAW264.7 cell proliferation by 1.91-fold compared with the control. Meanwhile, RAPS significantly increased the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines （TNF-a and IL-6） in a dose-dependent manner in the supernatant of RAW264.7 cell culture as determined by ELISA. At 400 μg·mL-1, the production of TNF-a was 20.8-fold higher than that of the control. Simultaneously, the production of nitric oxide （NO） and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） were increased in RAW264.7 cells incubated with RAPS, as measured by Griess assay and Western blot analysis. The NO production of cells treated with RAPS （400 μg·mL-1） reached 15.8 μmol·L-L, which was 30.4-fold higher than that of the control （0.53 μmol·L-1）. These data suggested that RAPS may enhance the immune function and protect against exogenous pathogens by activating macrophages.