Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript (CART) Peptide Plays Critical Role in Psychostimulant-Induced Depression

Meng, Qing,Kim, Hyoung-Chun,Oh, Seikwan,Lee, Yong-Moon,Hu, Zhenzhen,Oh, Ki-Wan The Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology 2018 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.26 No.5

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide is a widely distributed neurotransmitter expressed in the central nervous systems. Previously, several reports demonstrated that nucleus accumbal-injected CART peptide positively modulated behavioral sensitization induced by psychostimulants and regulated the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic pathway. It is confirmed that CART peptide exerted inhibitory effect on psychostimulant-enhanced dopamine receptors signaling, $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin-dependent kinase signaling and crucial transcription factors expression. Besides modulation of dopamine receptors-related pathways, CART peptide also exhibited elaborated interactions with other neurotransmitter receptors, such as glutamate receptors and ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid receptors, which further account for attribution of CART peptide to inhibition of psychostimulant-potentiated locomotor activity. Recently, CART peptide has been shown to have anxiolytic functions on the aversive mood and uncontrolled drug-seeking behaviors following drug withdrawal. Moreover, microinjection of CART peptide has been shown to have an antidepressant effect, which suggests its potential utility in the mood regulation and avoidance of depression-like behaviors. In this review, we discuss CART pathways in neural circuits and their interactions with neurotransmitters associated with psychostimulant-induced depression.

Synthesis, Antibacterial Activity, and Structure–Activity Relationship of Fusaric Acid Analogs

Qing-Yan Zhang,Yang Fei‐Yu,Liao Shang‐Gao,Wang Bing,Li Rui,Dong Yong‐Xi,Zhou Meng,Yang Yuan‐Yong,Xu Guo‐Bo 대한화학회 2021 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.42 No.4

Forty-one fusaric acid analogs possessing a pyridine carboxylic acid scaffold have been synthesized. The antibacterial activity results demonstrated that compounds 5b, 7b, 8c, and 8d displayed strong antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 4–16 μg/mL. Molecular docking study indicated that these compounds have strong hydrogen-bonding interactions with TyrRS. Meanwhile, 8c and 8d showed promising antibacterial activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC9027. Compound 4 exhibited pronounced antibacterial activities against a clinically isolated multidrug-resistant strain of Escherichia coli (MIC: 64 μg/mL as compared 64 μg/mL of levofloxacin and 1024 μg/mL of ceftriaxone sodium). Moreover, compound 17e displayed strong synergistic antibacterial effect with levofloxacin against the multidrug-resistant strain, decreasing the MIC value of levofloxacin to 1/16 of its original MIC. No obvious cytotoxic activities against LO2 was observed for compounds 4, 5b, 8c, 8d, 17d, and 17e at 50 μM. The preliminary structure–activity relationship of fusaric acid analogs was also discussed.

Influencing Factors Analysis of Degradation and Damage and the Effect on Steel Frame

Meng Wang,Yong-Jiu Shi,Yuan-Qing Wang,Wei Guo Yang 한국강구조학회 2015 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.15 No.1

In order to discuss the influencing factors of damage and degradation and the effect on steel frame subject to strongearthquakes, firstly, a constitutive model was proposed for 3D finite element models to calculate the seismic behaviors of steelframe more accurately. The model was proved correct and applicable due to typical quasi-static tests. Then, based on theverified model, the damage and degradation factors were discussed by parametric analyses, including the panel zone, loadinghistory, loading amplitude, the width to thickness ratio and yield strength. The cumulative damage phenomena of steel frameconnections were further studied and the degradation distribution curve was obtained. Finally, the traditional beam elementmodel and proposed shell element model of structure were established by ABAQUS for time history analysis. The effect ofdamage and degradation on seismic behaviors of steel frames were compared and discussed. The tests and analysis resultsrevealed that: panel zone strength, loading amplitude and width-thickness ratios of plates had significant impact on damage anddegradation behaviors and failure modes of connections. Premature weld cracking would lead to earlier damage and degradationunder “strong to weak” earthquake, which would seriously affect the overall mechanical properties of the structure. Once localbuckling caused damage, the results of the beam element model and accurate shell element model were remarkably different. Beam element model without considering damage and degradation underestimated the structural deformations, which shouldbe paid more attention for design safety.

Effect of Exogenous Nitric Oxide on Vegetative and Reproductive Growth of Oriental Lily ‘Siberia’

Meng Wang,Bin Li,Yong-Chao Zhu,Li-Juan Niu,Xin Jin,Qing-Qing Xu,Wei-Biao Liao 한국원예학회 2015 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.56 No.5

Recent studies have shown that nitric oxide (NO) may be involved in diverse plant developmental processes as an important signal molecule. However, the effects of NO on vegetative and reproductive growth of intact plants are not fully understood. In our study, the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) at 3,000, 6,000 and 9,000 μM was used to characterize the roles of NO in vegetative and reproductive growth of “Siberia” lily. The results showed that the effects of NO on growth in “Siberia” lily were dose-dependent. Compared with the control (distilled water treatment), 3,000 μM SNP caused a significant increase in plant height and internode length. Significant differences were recorded in flowering period, lifetime of individual flowers, number of flowers per plant, flower diameter, and bud length with 6,000 μM SNP. However, 9,000 μM SNP resulted in negative effects on these parameters as compared to the control. Moreover, 3,000 μM SNP caused a significant increase in the contents of leaf chlorophyll, water soluble carbohydrate (WSC), starch, total carbohydrate, total soluble protein, and total nitrogen, all of which were decreased by high levels of SNP (9,000 μM). Together, these results indicated that NO treatments at the proper dosage can promote vegetative and reproductive growth, possibly by improving the levels of leaf chlorophyll, WSC, starch, total carbohydrate, total soluble protein and total nitrogen.

Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript (CART) Peptide Plays Critical Role in Psychostimulant-Induced Depression

( Qing Meng ),( Hyoung-chun Kim ),( Seikwan Oh ),( Yong-moon Lee ),( Zhenzhen Hu ),( Ki-wan Oh ) 한국응용약물학회 2018 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.26 No.5

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide is a widely distributed neurotransmitter expressed in the central nervous systems. Previously, several reports demonstrated that nucleus accumbal-injected CART peptide positively modulated behavioral sensitization induced by psychostimulants and regulated the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic pathway. It is confirmed that CART peptide exerted inhibitory effect on psychostimulant-enhanced dopamine receptors signaling, Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent kinase signaling and crucial transcription factors expression. Besides modulation of dopamine receptors-related pathways, CART peptide also exhibited elaborated interactions with other neurotransmitter receptors, such as glutamate receptors and γ-aminobutyric acid receptors, which further account for attribution of CART peptide to inhibition of psychostimulant-potentiated locomotor activity. Recently, CART peptide has been shown to have anxiolytic functions on the aversive mood and uncontrolled drug-seeking behaviors following drug withdrawal. Moreover, microinjection of CART peptide has been shown to have an antidepressant effect, which suggests its potential utility in the mood regulation and avoidance of depression-like behaviors. In this review, we discuss CART pathways in neural circuits and their interactions with neurotransmitters associated with psychostimu-lant- induced depression.

Hydrogen peroxide is involved in abscisic acid-induced adventitious rooting in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under drought stress

Xue-Ping Li,Qing-Qing Xu,Wei-Biao Liao,Zhan-Jun Ma,Xiao-Ting Xu,Meng Wang,Peng-Ju Ren,Li-Juan Niu,Xin Jin,Yong-Chao Zhu 한국식물학회 2016 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.59 No.5

Abscisic acid (ABA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are important regulatory factors involved in plant development under adversity stress. Here, the involvement of H2O2 in ABA-induced adventitious root formation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under drought stress was determined. The results indicated that exogenous ABA or H2O2 promoted adventitious rooting under drought stress, with a maximal biological response at 0.5 μM ABA or 800 μM H2O2. The promotive effects of ABA-induced adventitious rooting under drought stress were suppressed by CAT or DPI, suggesting that endogenous H2O2 might be involved in ABA-induced adventitious rooting. ABA increased relative water content (RWC), leaf chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, ΦPS II and qP), water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and soluble protein content, and peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and indoleacetate oxidase (IAAO) activities, while decreasing transpiration rate. However, the effects of ABA were inhibited by H2O2 scavenger CAT. Therefore, H2O2 may be involved in ABA-induced adventitious root development under drought stress by stimulating water and chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, carbohydrate and nitrogen content, as well as some enzyme activities.

IL-33 promotes IL-10 production in macrophages: a role for IL-33 in macrophage foam cell formation

Hai-Feng Zhang,Mao-Xiong Wu,Yong-Qing Lin,Shuang-Lun Xie,Tu-Cheng Huang,Pin-Ming Liu,Ru-Qiong Nie,Qin-Qi Meng,Nian-Sang Luo,Yang-Xin Chen,Jing-Feng Wang 생화학분자생물학회 2017 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.49 No.-

We evaluated the role of IL-10- in IL-33-mediated cholesterol reduction in macrophage-derived foam cells (MFCs) and the mechanism by which IL-33 upregulates IL-10. Serum IL-33 and IL-10 levels in coronary artery disease patients were measured. The effects of IL-33 on intra-MFC cholesterol level, IL-10, ABCA1 and CD36 expression, ERK 1/2, Sp1, STAT3 and STAT4 activation, and IL-10 promoter activity were determined. Core sequences were identified using bioinformatic analysis and sitespecific mutagenesis. The serum IL-33 levels positively correlated with those of IL-10. IL-33 decreased cellular cholesterol level and upregulated IL-10 and ABCA1 but had no effect on CD36 expression. siRNA-IL-10 partially abolished cellular cholesterol reduction and ABCA1 elevation by IL-33 but did not reverse the decreased CD36 levels. IL-33 increased IL-10 mRNA production but had little effect on its stability. IL-33 induced ERK 1/2 phosphorylation and increased the luciferase expression driven by the IL-10 promoter, with the highest extent within the − 2000 to − 1752 bp segment of the 5′-flank of the transcription start site; these effects were counteracted by U0126. IL-33 activated Sp1, STAT3 and STAT4, but only the STAT3 binding site was predicted in the above segment. Site-directed mutagenesis of the predicted STAT3-binding sites (CTGCTTCCTGGCAGCAGAA→CTGCCTGGCAGCAGAA) reduced luciferase activity, and a STAT3 inhibitor blocked the regulatory effects of IL-33 on IL-10 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) confirmed the STAT3-binding sequences within the − 1997 to − 1700 and − 1091 to − 811 bp locus regions. IL-33 increased IL-10 expression in MFCs via activating ERK 1/2 and STAT3, which subsequently promoted IL-10 transcription and thus contributed to the beneficial effects of IL-33 on MFCs.

Comparative Analysis on Antioxidative Ability of Muscle between Laiwu Pig and Large White

Chen, Wei,Zhu, Hong-Lei,Shi, Yuan,Zhao, Meng-Meng,Wang, Hui,Zeng, Yong-Qing Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2012 Animal Bioscience Vol.25 No.8

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of storage temperatures ($4^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$) and pig breeds (Laiwu pig and Large White pig) on the main antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) activity and lipid oxidation in porcine Longissimus dorsi muscle. Activities of antioxidative enzymes (AOE) decreased slightly during storage, regardless of storage temperatures. Muscle antioxidative enzymes activities stored at $4^{\circ}C$ were higher than that stored at $20^{\circ}C$. Laiwu pig's enzymes activities were significantly (p<0.01) higher than Large White's. The level of malondialdehyde is a direct expression of the grade of lipid oxidation in meat. In our study, the malondialdehyde contents increased after 6 days storage. However, malondialdehyde contents of Laiwu pig were significantly (p<0.01) lower than Large White's. A lower content of malondialdehyde corresponds to a lower oxidation of lipids. These results indicated the muscle antioxidative ability of Laiwu pig was higher than Large White pig. It also implied that antioxidative enzymes were involved in the essentials and deciding mechanisms of meat quality by quenching oxygen free radicals and inhibiting lipid oxidation in muscle.

Preparation and activity evaluation of chrysin-b-Dgalactopyranoside

Zhen-Yuan Zhu,Ling Chen,Fei Liu,Li-Jing Chen,Meng Meng,Hui-Qing Sun,Yong-Min Zhang 대한약학회 2016 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.39 No.10

Chrysin-b-D-galactopyranoside was efficiently synthesized, evaluated for its inhibitory activities against H22 cell lines compared with chrysin, the scavenging of hydroxyl radical, DPPH radical and superoxide anion, inhibitory effect against bacteria and fungi. The structures of all compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic data (NMR, MS). The anti-tumor, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of chrysin-b-D-galactopyranoside were proved to be enhanced significantly compared with chrysin.

Thalidomide Combined with Chemotherapy in Treating Patients with Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Huang, Xin-En,Yan, Xiao-Chun,Wang, Lin,Ji, Zhu-Qing,Li, Li,Liu, Meng-Yan,Qian, Ting,Shen, Hui-Ling,Gu, Han-Gang,Liu, Yong,Gu, Ming,Deng, Li-Chun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.17

Objective: To assess the safety and effectiveness of thalidomide (produced by CHANGZHOU PHARMACEUTICAL FACTORY CO.LTD) combined with chemotherapy in treating patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Method: A consecutive cohort of pretreated patients with advanced colorectal cancer were treated with thalidomide combined with chemotherapy. And chemotherapy for patients with advanced colorectal cancer were administered according to the condition of patients. Thalidomide was orally administered at a dosage of 50mg/day to 150mg/day before sleeping for at least 14 days. After at least 14 days of treatment, safety and side effects were evaluated. Results: There were 12 female and 3 male patients with advanced cancer recruited into this study, including 9 patients with colon, 6 patients with rectal cancer. The median age of patients was 57(41-82) years. Partial response was observed in 2 patients (2/15), and stable disease in 3 patients(3/15). Incidences of Grade 1 to 2 myelosuppression was observed in 1/15 patients, and Grade 1 to 2 elevation of hepatic enzyme was recorded in 1/15 patients. Adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract were documented in 1/15 patients, and were Grade 1. No Grade 3-4 toxicities were diagnosed. No treatment related death was found. Conclusions: Thalidomide combined with chemotherapy was safe and mildly effective in treating patients with advanced colorectal cancer. However, further study should be conducted to clarify the effectiveness of this combination.