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The present study aimed to investigate changes in the expression of interleukin (IL)-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) and microRNA (miRNA or miR)-93 in mice with cerebral ischemia reperfusion (CIR) injury, as well as the association and regulatory mechanism between IRAK4 and miR-93. The CIR mouse model was constructed and mouse microglia BV2 cells were transfected with miR-93 mimic or miR-93 inhibitor. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the expression of mRNA and miR-93. Western blotting was performed to determine protein expression. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to measure the concentrations pro-inflammatory factors. The expression of miR-93 in CIR mice brains was significantly reduced, while Ago-miR-93 (a type of miRNA analog) increased its expression. Ago-miR-93 alleviated neurological deficits and reduced cerebral infarction volume in the mice. Furthermore, Ago-miR-93 inhibited inflammatory responses following CIR. Ago-miR-93 decreased the rate of cell apoptosis following CIR. In addition, miR-93 downregulated IRAK4 protein expression, but did not alter its mRNA expression levels in BV2 cells. miR-93 expression reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory factors in BV2 cells. Ago-miR-93 inhibited IRAK4 expression in the brain tissues of CIR mice. The present study demonstrated that miR-93 inhibits inflammatory responses and cell apoptosis following CIR by targeting the IRAK4 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway in alveolar epithelial cells plays an important role in many pathologic processes such as acute lung injury (ALI). The single immunoglobulin IL-1 receptor-related protein (SIGIRR) is an inhibitor of LPS-TLR4 signaling, but its expression and function in alveolar epithelial cells are still unknown. In this study, we examined the expression of SIGIRR in normal human lung tissue using immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot and found that SIGIRR was expressed in alveolar epithelial cells. Treatment of an alveolar epithelial cell line, A549, with LPS and we observed a downregulation of SIGIRR mRNA, which returned to normal levels 24h after LPS exposure. A549 cells were then transfected with a SIGIRR eukaryotic expression vector to over-express SIGIRR or, as a control, with an empty vector. Following LPS exposure, the transcriptional activity of NF-κB was measured using a dual-luciferase reporter assay system, and the concentration of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 was determined by ELISA, and cell proliferation was measured by MTT. In A549 cells that over-expressed SIGIRR, LPS treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the transcriptional activity of NF-κB and cell growth inhibition ratio, as well as lower levels of secreted IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6. In conclusion, SIGIRR in A549 cells inhibits the transcriptional activity of NF-κB and reduces the amount cytokines produced, protecting these cells from acute LPS-induced damage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • sPlas significantly reduced cerebral ischemic infarction in mice at 5 d after tMCAO. • sPlas significantly alleviated neural oxidative stress in mice at 5 d after tMCAO. • sPlas significantly regulated neural inflammation in mice at 5 d after tMCAO. • sPlas significantly attenuated neurovascular unit damage in mice at 5 d after tMCAO. • sPlas may be a preventive and therapeutic candidate against ischemic stroke. Scallop-derived plasmalogen (sPlas) has both anti-oxidative and anti-inflammation activities, but its efficacy has not been investigated in ischemic stroke models where oxidative stress, inflammation, and neurovascular unit (NVU) damage accelerates pathophysiological progression. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to assess the neuroprotective effects of sPlas in ischemic stroke by using a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) mouse model. After the pretreatment of vehicle or sPlas (10 mg/kg/day) for 14 days, adult male mice were subjected to tMCAO for 60 min, then continuously treated with vehicle or sPlas during reperfusion and for an additional 5 days. The administration of sPlas significantly improved motor deficits (corner and rotarod tests, * p < 0.05 vs vehicle), enhanced serum antioxidative activity (OXY-adsorbent and d-ROMs tests, * p < 0.05 vs vehicle), reduced infarction volume (* p < 0.05 vs vehicle), decreased the expression of two oxidative stress markers, 4-HNE (* p < 0.05 vs vehicle) and 8-OHdG (* p < 0.05 vs vehicle), decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory markers Iba-1 (** p < 0.01 vs vehicle), IL-1β (** p < 0.01 vs vehicle), and TNF-α (** p < 0.01 vs vehicle), and alleviated NVU damage (collagen IV, MMP9, and GFAP/collagen IV, * p < 0.05 vs vehicle). Our present findings are the first to demonstrate the neuroprotective effects of sPlas on acute ischemic stroke mice at 5 d after tMCAO via anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation, and improvement of NVU damage, suggesting the potential of sPlas in preventing and treating ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stem cell-derived sheet engineering has been developed as the next-generation treatment for myocardial infarction (MI) and offers attractive advantages in comparison with direct stem cell transplantation and scaffold tissue engineering. Furthermore, induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cell sheets have been indicated to possess higher potential for MI therapy than other stem cell-derived sheets because of their capacity to form vascularized networks for fabricating thickened human cardiac tissue and their long-term therapeutic effects after transplantation in MI. To date, stem cell sheet transplantation has exhibited a dramatic role in attenuating cardiac dysfunction and improving clinical manifestations of heart failure in MI. In this review, we retrospectively summarized the current applications and strategy of stem cell-derived cell sheet technology for heart tissue repair in MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) is a natural dipeptide with multiple neuroprotective properties. Previous studies have advertised that carnosine scavenges free radicals and displays anti-inflammatory activity. However, the underlying mechanism and the efficacies of its pleiotropic effect on prevention remained obscure. In this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-oxidative, anti-inflammative, and anti-pyroptotic effects of carnosine in the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) mouse model. After a daily pre-treatment of saline or carnosine (1000 mg / kg / day) for 14 days, mice (n = 24) were subjected to tMCAO for 60 min and continuously treated with saline or carnosine for additional 1 and 5 days after reperfusion. The administration of carnosine significantly decreased infarct volume 5 days after the tMCAO (* p < 0.05) and effectively suppressed the expression of 4-HNE, 8-OHdG, Nitrotyrosine 5 days, and RAGE 5 days after tMCAO. Moreover, the expression of IL-1 β was also significantly suppressed 5 days after tMCAO. Our present findings demonstrated that carnosine effectively relieves oxidative stress caused by ischemic stroke and significantly attenuates neuroinflammatory responses related to IL-1 β , suggesting that carnosine can be a promising therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke. [Display omitted] • Carnosine significantly reduced infarct volume 5 days after tMCAO. • Carnosine significantly alleviated neural oxidative stress 1 and 5 days after tMCAO. • Carnosine significantly regulated inflammation marker expression 5 days after tMCAO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common dementia and a progressive neurodegenerative disorder aggravated by chronic hypoperfusion (HP). Since numerous evidence suggests that inflammation is related with AD pathology, we investigated the expression change of two anti-inflammatory markers, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 (ITIH4) and alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein (AHSG), in a novel AD model (APP23) with HP at 12 month of age. As compared with wild type (WT, n = 10), immunohistochemical analysis showed a higher ITIH4 and a lower AHSG expressions in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus of the APP23 + HP group (n = 12) than the simple APP23 (n = 10) group (*p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01 versus WT; #p < 0.05 and # #p < 0.01 versus APP23). The present study provides an upregulation of anti-inflammatory ITIH4 and a downregulation of pro-inflammatory TNFα-dependent AHSG in a novel AD plus HP mice model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most frequent and severe form of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. The pathogenesis is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Cinnamaldehyde exhibits antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties, but its effect on IPF is unknown. The present study is to investigate the anti-fibrotic effect and action mechanism of cinnamaldehyde on IPF. Materials and methods IPF was induced by intratracheal bleomycin in mice. Submicron emulsion of cinnamaldehyde was given by intraperitoneal injection once everyday for 7 or 21 continuous days after bleomycin administration. Lung histological and injury indexes were analyzed. The protein expressions of inflammation and oxidative stress as well as EMT markers alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and E-cadherin in mice and cultured A549 cells were measured. Results Cinnamaldehyde attenuated the bleomycin-induced histological injury, reduced hydroxyproline level and improved pulmonary function by the inhibiting inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species production as well as enhancing total superoxide dismutase activity in bleomycin-induced mice. Cinnamaldehyde also inhibited EMT in both bleomycin-induced mice and TGF-β1-stimulated A549 cells. Conclusions Cinnamaldehyde ameliorated bleomycin-induced IPF via inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress and EMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diet-induced obesity is associated with systemic inflammation, which is considered to originate predominantly from the adipose tissue. Quercetin and resveratrol are two dietary polyphenols that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and anti-insulin resistance when administered in isolation or combination (CQR). It remains unknown whether CQR reduces high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and inflammation in rats. In the current study, 46 male Wistar rats were divided into two groups, one of which was fed a normal diet (ND, 5.4% fat, w/w) and one of which was fed a HFD (45% fat, w/w) for 3 weeks. Following removal of the 12 most obesity-resistant rats from the HFD group, the remaining rats were divided into two sub-groups: A HFD group and a HFD+CQR group (administered 120 mg/kg/day resveratrol and 240 mg/kg/day quercetin). The results revealed that the HFD+CQR group had significantly lower body weights at 11 weeks compared with the HFD group and had significantly reduced visceral adipose tissue weights and adipocyte sizes. Serum lipid profiles were also significantly ameliorated in the HFD+CQR group. CQR [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Although peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) and adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) are reported to be anti-inflammatory factors in acute lung injury (ALI), their internal link and synergic or antagonistic effect after activation are poorly understood. Here, we found that PPARγ and A2AR could upregulate the mRNA and protein expressions of each other in lung tissues of LPS-induced mouse ALI model and murine macrophages. Further investigation demonstrated that PPARγ upregulated A2AR expression by directly binding to a DR10 response element (−218 to −197) within A2AR gene promoter region. Instead of directly interacting with PPARγ, A2AR stimulated PPARγ expression via protein kinase A (PKA)–cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) signaling by provoking the binding of CREB to a cAMP responsive element (CRE)-like site in PPARγ gene promoter region. In addition, combination of PPARγ and A2AR agonists was found to exert obviously better effect on suppressing neutrophil infiltration and inflammatory cytokine expressions, attenuating lung edema, pathological changes and improving lung function of blood gas exchange than their single application. These findings reveal a novel functional positive feedback loop between PPARγ and A2AR signaling to potentialize their effect on inhibiting inflammation and attenuating lung damages in ALI. It suggests that targeting this PPARγ–A2AR signaling rather than PPARγ or A2AR alone may be a more attractive and efficient potential therapeutic strategy for ALI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen has been used as a health product and natural remedy in traditional medicine for cardiovascular diseases for more than 1000 years in Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea. Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) are the major effective ingredients extracted from Panax notoginseng. Aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) attenuated atherosclerosis by inducing liver X receptor alpha (LXRα) expression and to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the effects. Materials and methods: The AS rats were treated once daily with PNS (100mg/kg, i.p.), and pathological changes in the aorta were observed using Sudan IV staining. The expression of LXRα in the aortic wall was measured by Western blot analysis. THP-1 macrophages were cultured with PNS in the presence or absence of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate ammonium salt (GGPP), an LXRα antagonist. The expression of LXRα and its target genes ATP-binding cassette A1 and G1 (ABCA1, ABCG1) were determined by qRT-PCR. The transcriptional activation of the LXRα gene promoter was analyzed by a reporter assay. The NF-κB DNA binding activity and the expression of interleukin (IL)-6, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) was evaluated respectively by Trans-AM NF-κB ELISA and ELISA in THP-1 macrophages that were stimulated with LPS after treatment with PNS and GGPP. Results: PNS treatment alleviated the typical pathological changes associated with atherosclerosis in rats. The expression of LXRα was increased in rat aortas after treatment with PNS. In vitro, PNS increased LXRα mRNA levels in THP-1 macrophages. The reporter assays showed that PNS enhanced transcriptional activation of the LXRα gene promoter and led to the upregulation of ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression. This upregulation could be reversed by treatment with GGPP. Additionally, PNS inhibited NF-κB DNA binding activity and reduced secretion of IL-6 and MCP-1 in LPS-stimulated THP-1 macrophages. These effects could be reversed by GGPP. Conclusions: The results indicated that the PNS-mediated attenuation of AS may, at least partly, due to LXRα uprergulation. The mechanisms of action included enhancement transcriptional activation of the LXRα gene promoter by PNS and subsequent upregulation of ABCA1 and ABCG1 and inhibition of NF-κB DNA binding activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The antagonism or genetic deletion of adenosine A2A receptors has been shown to exacerbate tissue damage in acute lung injury. Caffeine, a widely consumed behavioral drug, acts as a non-selective antagonist of A2A receptor and also has additional pharmacological effects. Thus, the protective vs. deleterious effects of caffeine in acute lung injury should be evaluated. In a murine oleic acid-induced model of acute lung injury, we found that chronic caffeine treatment by drinking water (0.1g/l or 0.25g/l for 2weeks before acute lung injury) or acute caffeine treatment at high dose (i.p. 50mg/kg, injection, 30min before acute lung injury) significantly attenuated the lung edema, hemorrhage, neutrophil recruitment as well as the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) expressions in both of the wild type (WT) and A2A receptor knockout (KO) mice. This profile was accompanied by increased cAMP levels and up-regulation of A2B receptor mRNAs in the lungs. In contrast, acute caffeine treatment at low dose (i.p. 5mg/kg or 15mg/kg, injection, 30min before acute lung injury) enhanced the inflammation and lung damage in WT mice with decreasing cAMP but not in A2A receptor KO mice. These results indicate that caffeine either enhances lung damage by antagonizing A2A receptor or exerts protection against lung damage via A2A receptor-independent mechanisms, depending on the timing of exposure (chronic vs. acute) and dose of administration (low vs. high). These findings provide new insight of caffeine in acute lung injury and highlight the potential benefit and strategy of caffeine intake or administration for preventing acute lung injury. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Traumatic spinal cord injury is characterized by an immediate. irreversible loss of tissue at the lesion site, as well as a secondary expansion of tissue damage overtime. Although secondary injury should, in principle, be preventable, no effective treatment options currently exist for patients with acute spinal cord injury (Sd). Excessive release of ATP by the traumatized tissue, followed by activation of high-affinity P2X7 receptors, has previously been implicated in secondary injury, but no clinically relevant strategy by which to antagonize P2X7 receptors has yet, to the best of our knowledge, been reported. Here we have tested the neuroprotective effects of a systemically administered P2X7R antagonist, Brilliant blue G (BBG), in a weight-drop model of thoracic Sd in rats. Administration of BBG 15 mm after injury reduced spinal cord anatomic damage and improved motor recovery without evident toxicity. Moreover, BBG treatment directly reduced local activation of astrocytes and microglia, as well as neutrophil infiltration. These observations suggest that BBG not only protected spinal cord neurons from purinergic excitotoxicity, but also reduced local inflammatory responses. Importantly, BBG is a derivative of a commonly used blue food color (FD&C blue No. 1), which crosses the blood-brain barrier. Systemic administration of BBG may thus comprise a readily feasible approach by which to treat traumatic SCI in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]