Extract of buckwheat sprouts scavenges oxidation and inhibits pro-inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages (RAW264.7)

OBJECTIVE： Buckwheat has been considered as a potential source of nutraceutical components on the world market of probiotic foodstuffs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of tartary buckwheat （Fagopyrum tataricum） sprouts on oxidation and pro-inflammatory mediators. METHODS： The anti-oxidant effects of buckwheat extract （BWE） and rutin were evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl （DPPH）-and nitric oxide （NO）-scavenging activities, serum peroxidation and chelating assays. Lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-stimulated RAW264.7 cells were used to evaluate anti-inflammatory activities of buckwheat and rutin. NO production in LPS- stimulated RAW264.7 cells was determined by using Griess reagent. The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）, cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2）, nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） p65 subunit in cytosolic and nuclear portions were determined by Western blot analysis. Also, the production of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS： Inhibitory concentration 50 values for DPPH- and NO-scavenging activities of BWE were 24.97 and 72.54 μg/mL respectively. BWE inhibited serum oxidation and possessed chelating activity. Furthermore, BWE inhibited IL-6 and TNF-a production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Also, BWE inhibited iNOS and COX-2 expression and NF-KB p65 translocation. CONCLUSION： Buckwheat sprouts possessed strong antioxidant activity and inhibited production of pro-inflammatory mediators in the applied model systems. Thus, buckwheat can be suggested to be beneficial in inflammatory diseases by inhibiting the free radicals and inflammatory mediators.

Effects of Concentration of La^(3+) Vacancies in LaMnO_(3+λ) on the Catalytic Activity of Oxidation of CO

A series of LaMnO 3+ λ catalysts have been synthesized under various partial pressures of oxygen. The structures of these catalysts were determined by XRD. The percentage of Mn 4+ ion in the catalysts was measured by chemical analysis. The activity of oxidation of CO over that series of catalysts was tested by pulsing process in differential reactor. The results of various measurements are discussed in this paper as well.

Preparation of La _(0.9)RE_(0.1) MnO_3 Ultra fine Particles Used for CH_4 Oxidation

A technique for preparing perovskite type oxides was developed. By this technique, ultra fine particles of La 0.9 RE 0.1 MnO 3 (RE: Y, Ce, Pr, Sm, Gd,or Dy) with high surface area and single perovskite structure were prepared, and the series of La 0.9 RE 0.1 MnO 3 catalysts were studied experimentally. The so prepared ultra fine particles exhibites high catalytic activity for CH 4 total oxidation. The ultra fine particles of La 0.9 RE 0.1 MnO 3 (except for La 0.9 Pr 0.1 MnO 3) prepared by this method are thermally much more stable than LaMnO 3. Of the La 0.9 RE 0.1 MnO 3 series, La 0.9 Y 0.1 MnO 3 is most thermally stable, and La 0.9 Y 0.1 MnO 3 or La 0.9 Gd 0.1 MnO 3 (varies with calcination temperature) exhibits the highest catalytic activity for total oxidation of methane. The specific surface area of La 0.9 Y 0.1 MnO 3 calcined at 1000 ℃ reaches 14.9 m 2·g -1 , while the specific surface area of LaMnO 3 calcined at the same temperature is only 1.8 m 2·g -1 .

Effects of endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling on pulmonary endothelial dysfunction in rats with decompression sickness

Background: To investigate the effects of unsafe decompression on rat pulmonary endothelial function and its relevant mechanisms.Methods: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into a control group(n=30) and a decompression sickness(DCS) group(n=30). The DCS model was established by placing the rats in the DCS group in a pressurized cabin where they were exposed to a 600 k Pa compressed air environment for 60 min, and the pressure was then reduced by 100 k Pa/min until it reached atmospheric pressure. After the surviving rats in the DCS group and the rats in the control group were anesthetized, their pulmonary arteries were stripped to test the in vitro pulmonary artery endothelium-dependent vasodilation capacity. Western blotting was used to measure the expression and dissociation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(e NOS) in pulmonary artery tissues and all protein nitration levels in pulmonary artery tissues; reactive oxygen species(ROS) formation was measured via in vitro pulmonary artery superoxide anion probe dihydroethidium(DHE) staining.Results: After experiencing unsafe decompression, 10 of the 30 rats in the DCS group died. The pulmonary artery endothelium-dependent vasodilation capacity in the surviving rats decreased significantly(P<0.05). The difference in e NOS expression between the DCS group and the control group was statistically insignificant(P>0.05), but the ratio of e NOS monomer/dimer in the DCS group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05). All protein tyrosine nitration levels in the pulmonary artery tissues of the DCS group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.05). The results of DHE staining showed that the amount of ROS formation in the pulmonary arteries of the DCS group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion: Unsafe decompression during a simulated submarine escape process can lead to e NOS dimer uncoupling in the pulmonary artery endothelium. The dissociated e NOS monomer cannot synthesize nitric oxide(NO) and thus affect the endothelium-dependent vasodilation capacity. The e NOS monomer can promote peroxynitrite(ONOO–) synthesis, leading to an increase in protein tyrosine nitration levels in pulmonary artery tissues and causing disorder in cell cycle regulation. The e NOS monomer can also cause an increase in the formation of ROS and thus mediate peroxidation damage.

Antioxidant and ntiinflammatory efficacy of curcumin on lung tissue in rats with sepsis

OBJECTIVE:To detect antioxidant and antiinflammatory efficacy of Curcumin(Cur)on lung tissue in rats with sepsis.METHODS:Totally 32 rats were divided into 4 groups;the rats in Group 1(control group)had abdominal incision under sterile conditions following anesthesia and the abdomen was sutured.Abdominal incision was performed in the rats in Group 2(Cur group)under sterile conditions following anesthesia and the abdomen was closed.Cur was given to this group after dissolving within dimethylsulphoxide as 100 mg/kg through oral gavage and started for 3 d before surgical procedure.Group 3(CLP group)had caecal ligation and punction(CLP)under sterile conditions to create sepsis following anesthesia and the abdomen was sutured.CLP was performed in the rats in Group 4(CLP+Cur group)under sterile conditions following anesthesia to create a sepsis model and the abdomen was closed.Cur was also given to this group after dissolving within dimethylsulphoxide as 100 mg/kg through oralgavageandstartedfor3 d before surgical proce-dure.All the rats were sacrificed through blood aspiration from the heart under sterile conditions following anesthesia and lung tissues were removed after 24 h following the surgical procedures.The tissue samples were homogenizated for biochemical analyses;and malondialdehyde(MDA),nitric okxide(NO),myeloperoxidase(MPO),superoxidedysmutase(SOD)nd catalase(CAT)were analyzed through spectrophotometric method,immunhistochemical i NOS staining was performed to assess the inflammation;and histopathological differences between the groups were evaluated.RESULTS:A statistically significant decrease was detected in the CLP+Cur group when compared with the CLP group of which Cur was not given in terms of MDA,MPO and NO levels(P<0.05)whereas a statistically significant elevation was fpund in the CLP+Cur group when compared with the CLP group in terms of SOD and CAT levels(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The study outcomes revealed that supplementation of Cur presents an antioxidant effect by reducing the free radical level and increasing the antioxidant enzyme levels;and an antiinflammatory effect by reducing i NOS level.

Anti-hypertensive and endothelia protective effects of Fufang Qima capsule(复方芪麻胶囊) on primary hypertension via adiponectin/adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase pathway

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the potential mechanism of the vascular remodeling effect and provide additional information about anti-hypertension activity of Fufang Qima capsule(复方芪麻胶囊,QM).METHODS:Spontaneous hypertensive rats(SHRs)were used to study the underlying mechanism of the anti-hypertension activity of QM.In this study,SHRs were randomly divided into 5 groups:model group,Telmisartan group(7.2 mg/kg,p.o.),and three QM groups(0.9298,1.8596,and 3.7192 g/kg,p.o.).Wistar Kyoto rats(WKY)were used as normal control group.Blood pressure(BP),aorta,perivascular adipose tissue(PVAT)histology were investigated to evaluate the effect of QM.Nitric oxide(NO)and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)phosphorylation were measured.Adiponectin(APN)secretion,as well as APN signal pathway proteins including APN,adiponectin receptors(R1 and R2)and adenosine 5’-monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)were all analyzed.RESULTS:QM significantly reduced BP and ameliorated the vascular pathological change,i.e.intima media thicken and collagen fiber hyperplasia.Meanwhile,QM increased concentration of NO and the phosphorylation of eNOS in the aorta.The anti-hypertensive and endothelia-protective effect of QM could be attributed to activating APN/AMPK pathway by up-regulating the expression of APN in PVAT and APN Receptor 2,AMPKαand phosphorylated AMPKαin the aorta.CONCLUSION:The QM alleviation effect mechanism for primary hypertension was via modulating the APN/AMPK signal pathway.

Role of nitric oxide and inducible nitric oxide synthase in human abdominal aortic aneurysms: a preliminary study

Background Nitric oxide （NO） is an important mediator in the pathophysiology of many vascular diseases. However, the definite role of NO in human abdominal aortic aneurysm （AAA） formation is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate production of NO and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）, and their possible role in AAA. Methods A total of 28 patients with AAA, 10 healthy controls, and 8 patients with arterial occlusive disease were enrolled into this study. Standard colorimetric assay was used to examine NO concentration in plasma from patients with AAA and normal controls, and in cultured smooth muscle cells （SMCs）. Expression of iNOS in aortas and cultured SMCs were detected by immunochemistry. The correlation of iNOS expression with age of the patient, size of aneurysm, and degree of inflammation was also investigated by Cochran-Mantel-HaenszelX^2 test and Kendall＇ Tau correlation. Results Expression of iNOS increased significantly in the wall of aneurism in the patients with AAA compared to the healthy controls （P〈0.05） and the patients with occlusive arteries （P〈0.05）. iNOS protein and media NOx （nitrite＋nitrate） also increased in cultured SMCs from human AAA （n=4, P〈0.05）, while plasma NOx decreased in patients with AAA （n=25） compared to the healthy controls （n=20）. There was a positive correlation between iNOS protein and degree of inflammation in aneurismal wall （Kendall coefficient=0.5032, P=0.0029） Conclusions SMCs and inflammatory cells were main cellular sources of increased iNOS in AAA, and NO may play a part in pathogenesis in AAA through inflammation.

Relationship of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism with blood pressure,lipid profile and blood glucose level

To study the relationship of the polymorphism of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)gene and blood pressure,lipid profiles and blood glucose level.By using PCR-RFLP,the eNOS Glu298Asp gene polymorphism was detected in 184 patients with essential hypertension and 196 matched healthy individuals with normal blood pressure.Taking into account eNOS Glu298Asp poly-morphisms,the relationship of blood pressure with trigly-cerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),high density lipoprotein(HDL),low density lipoprotein(LDL)and blood glucose level was analyzed.The distribution of eNOS Glu298Asp polymorphism had no significant differ-ence between different blood pressure groups and gender groups,but there was a significant difference between dif-ferent age groups,diastolic blood pressure groups or BMI groups(P<0.05).Asp/Asp genotype significantly increased the risk of hypertension in individuals with serum TC above 5.4 mmol/L(P=0.03,OR=52.65).eNOS Glu298Asp polymorphism and serum lipid could synergis-tically modulate the blood pressure.eNOS Asp/Asp geno-type could significantly increase the risk of hypertension in individuals with serum TC over 5.4 mmol/L.eNOS Glu298Asp in combination with serum TC could be used to predict the risk of hypertension.