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The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of quercetin (Que) against perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)-induced liver injury in mice and its possible mechanisms of action. Mice were intragastrically administered PFOA (10mg/kg/day) alone or in combination with Que (75 mg/kg/day) for 14 consecutive days. The hepatic injury was evaluated by measuring morphological changes, liver function, oxidative stress, inflammatory response and hepatocellular apoptosis. Compared with mice treated with PFOA alone, simultaneous supplementation of Que significantly decreased serum levels of liver injury indicators alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and total bile acids. Moreover, Que treatment inhibited the production of oxidative stress biomarkers malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, reduced the levels of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 6, cyclooxygenase-2 and C-reactive protein, and decreased the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the liver of PFOA-treated mice. These results combined with liver histopathology demonstrated that Que exhibited a potential protective effect against PFOA-induced liver damage via mechanisms involving the attenuation of oxidative stress, alleviation of inflammation and inhibition of hepatocellular apoptosis.

The dihydropyridine-type calcium channel blocker, benidipine (BD) has been widely used in hypertension therapy. Previous studies have demonstrated that BD has a positive effect on bone metabolism. Inspired by this promoting phenomenon, the present study investigated the effects of BD on osteoblasts in vitro. Experiments were designed and performed, including an MTT assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis, alkaline phosphatase activity measurements and alizarin red S staining. The results demonstrated that BD promoted osteoblast proliferation and osteogenic differentiation at concentrations from 1×10−6 to 1×10−9 M by upregulating Runx2, BMP2 and OCN gene expression levels. Overall, BD at appropriate concentrations has been demonstrated to have positive effects on osteoblast function in addition to its conventional clinical usage.

The microbial community structure and enzyme activity were investigated in the three-stage wavy subsurface constructed wetland (W-SFCW) receiving wastewater containing heavy metals (Cr, Cu and Ni). Colony forming units (CFU) abundance of microbes was calculated by using plate culture. The microbial community structure was investigated by using PCR-DGGE and sequencing. Enzyme activity was detected by using colorimetry. The results showed that the CFU of bacteria ranged from (4.10 +/- 0.72) x 10(6) to (1.61 +/- 0.10) x 10(7), fungi ranged from (7.21 +/- 1.60) x 10(4) to (1.29 +/- 0.02) x 10(5) and actinomycetes ranged from (1.41 +/- 0.27) x 10(6) to (3.38 +/- 0.11) x 10(6). All of 8 bands retrieved from DGGE gels were unique 16S rRNA or 18S rRNA sequences and revealed that the microbial community structures had changed spatially. Maximum urease [(0.67 +/- 0.2) mg/(g x 24 h)], invertase [(40.15 +/- 0.14) mg/(g x 24 h)] and alkaline phosphatase [(1.03 +/- 0.16) mg/(g x 2 h)] activities were at first stage, third stage and first stage, respectively. A negative correlation between fungi CFU abundance and the total content of Cr, available Cr content and activation rate of Cr was detected, a negative correlation was also found between the invertase activity and total Cu and Ni contents and the Ni activation rate.