Isoforskolin from Native Plant Coleus forskohlii of Yunnan, China Plays Multiple Biological Roles

Isoforskolin (ISOF) was isolated from Coleus forskohlii native to Yunnan in China. It is identified as one analog of diterpene forskolin (FSK) which comes from the Indian plant Coleus forskohlii. Researches found that the Yunnan native plant Coleus forskohlii contained rich ISOF but not FSK. ISOF was reported to activate adenylyl cyclase (AC) isoforms. The ophthalmologic and cardiovascular effects of ISOF were firstly reported in the 1990s. The researchers in Kunming, China, found ISOF could lower blood pressure and intraocular pressure. Recent researches found the respiratory tract effects of ISOF, and showed that ISOF significantly elevated cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in rat lung homogenate, and relaxed the histamine-induced contraction of isolated guinea pig trachea and lung smooth muscle, isoforskolin pretreatment attenuates acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in several models, lowered LPS-induced secretion of the inflammatory cytokine in human monocytes.

Serum Concentrations of Angiotensin, C-Reactive Protein, Interleukin-8, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Train Driver Population

Train drivers are engaged in high-stress job. It may induce sleep, fatigue, and alertness loss at work, and endanger public safety. It’s unclear that cytokines of train driver would be influenced by their job. The research considers the hypothesis that stressful professions, such as train driver, influence the body’s immune system through the long-time and high-pressure working, and change production of neuro-immune factors. Using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), several neuro-immune factors were assayed among train drivers (N = 82) and health blood donors (N = 80) enrolled in the Yunnan Collaborative Innovation Center for Public Health and Disease Control. The concentrations of angiotensin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined. Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn’s multiple comparisons test were performed for overall comparison between groups and for pairwise comparison, respectively. Statistical significance level was set at P < 0.05. The profession of train driving was not associated with significant increases or decreases in the systemic levels of inflammatory (CRP, IL-8, and TNF-α), but it was associated with the high expression of angiotensin in vivo. These findings suggest that the job of train driving may not be associated with significant alterations in systemic immune condition, but arouse the level of angiotensin.

Saccharomyces boulardii Produces a Factor That Inhibits Mycobacterium intracellulare Burden in Human Macrophages

Lung disease caused by Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacteria (NTM) is increasing in prevalence. NTM lung disease is notable for poor response to therapy. Saccharomyces boulardii is probiotic that can be effective in inflammatory gastrointestinal disease with diverse pathophysiology. The present study investigated the effects of the products of S. boulardii-B508 on burden of NTM-Mycobacterium intracellulare complex in human macrophage infection in vitro. It was found that the supernatant of S. boulardii-B508 inhibited the growth of Mycobacterium intracellulare in human macrophage infection and induced infected cell apoptosis. The data of RT-PCR showed that the products of S. boulardii-B508 inhibited IL-8 expression during M. intracellulare infection in human macrophages due to its effects on NF-kB activation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of effective products of S. boulardii on NTM infection in human macrophage. S. boulardii possesses anti-NTM lung disease properties in human macrophage worthy of further evaluation in clinical studies.