Ginsenoside Ro, an oleanolic saponin of Panax ginseng, exerts antiinflammatory effect by direct inhibiting toll like receptor 4 signaling pathway

Hong-Lin Xu,Guang-Hong Chen,Yu-Ting Wu,Ling-Peng Xie,Zhang-Bin Tan,Bin Liu,Hui-Jie Fan,Hong-Mei Chen,Gui-Qiong Huang,Min Liu,Ying-Chun Zhou 고려인삼학회 2022 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.46 No.1

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer (P. ginseng), a herb distributed in Korea, China and Japan, exerts benefits on diverse inflammatory conditions. However, the underlying mechanism and active ingredients remains largely unclear. Herein, we aimed to explore the active ingredients of P. ginseng against inflammation and elucidate underlying mechanisms. Methods: Inflammation model was constructed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in C57BL/6 mice and RAW264.7 macrophages. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics, surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) and immunofluorescence were utilized to predict active component. Results: P. ginseng significantly inhibited LPS-induced lung injury and the expression of proinflammatory factors, including TNF-a, IL-6 and IL-1b. Additionally, P. ginseng blocked fluorescence-labeled LPS (LPS488) binding to the membranes of RAW264.7 macrophages, the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Furthermore, molecular docking demonstrated that ginsenoside Ro (GRo) docked into the LPS binding site of toll like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD2) complex. Molecular dynamic simulations showed that the MD2-GRo binding conformation was stable. SPRi demonstrated an excellent interaction between TLR4/MD2 complex and GRo (KD value of 1.16 × 10<SUP>-9</SUP> M). GRo significantly inhibited LPS488 binding to cell membranes. Further studies showed that GRo markedly suppressed LPS-triggered lung injury, the transcription and secretion levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. Moreover, the phosphorylation of NF-kB and MAPKs as well as the p65 subunit nuclear translocation were inhibited by GRo dose-dependently. Conclusion: Our results suggest that GRo exerts anti-inflammation actions by direct inhibition of TLR4 signaling pathway.

Acupuncture reduces nicotine-induced norepinephrine release in the hypothalamus via the solitary NMDA receptor/NOS pathway

Liu, Hong Feng,Zhao, ZhengLin,Zhang, Jie,Wu, Yi Yan,Jiao, Yu,Wu, Tong,Kim, Sang Chan,Lee, Bong Hyo,Fan, Yu,Lee, Chul Won,Kim, Young Woo,Yang, Chae Ha,Zhu, Xiao Dong,Zhao, Rong Jie Elsevier 2019 Neuroscience Letters Vol.705 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Noradrenergic projections from the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) to the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) are involved in nicotine (Nic) dependence. Nic induces hypothalamic norepinephrine (NE) release through <I>N</I>-methyl-<SMALL>D</SMALL>-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and nitric oxide in the NTS. However, acupuncture attenuates Nic withdrawal-induced anxiety. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of acupuncture on Nic-induced hypothalamic NE release. Rats received an intravenous infusion of Nic (90 μg/kg, over 60 s) and extracellular NE levels in the PVN were determined by in vivo microdialysis. Immediately after Nic administration, the rats were bilaterally treated with acupuncture at acupoint HT7 (Shen-Men) or PC6 (Nei-Guan), or a non-acupoint (tail) for 60 s. Acupuncture at HT7, but not at PC6 or the tail, significantly reduced Nic-induced NE release. However, this was abolished by a post-acupuncture infusion of either NMDA or sodium nitroprusside into the NTS. Additionally, acupuncture at HT7, but not the control points, prevented Nic-induced plasma corticosterone secretion and inhibited Nic-induced increases in the phosphorylation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and endothelial NOS in the NTS. These findings suggest that acupuncture at HT7 reduces Nic-induced NE release in the PVN via inhibition of the solitary NMDAR/NOS pathway.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Acupuncture inhibited nicotine-induced hypothalamic norepinephrine release. </LI> <LI> Acupuncture diminished nicotine-induced plasma corticosterone secretion. </LI> <LI> Acupuncture reversed nicotine-induced phosphorylation of solitary nNOS and eNOS. </LI> <LI> NMDA abolished acupunctural effects on nicotine-induced norepinephrine release. </LI> <LI> NO abolished acupunctural effects on nicotine-induced norepinephrine release. </LI> </UL> </P>

Association of XRCC3 Thr241Met Polymorphisms and Gliomas Risk: Evidence from a Meta-analysis

Liang, Hong-Jie,Yan, Yu-Lan,Liu, Zhi-Ming,Chen, Xu,Peng, Qi-Liu,Wang, Jian,Mo, Cui-Ju,Sui, Jing-Zhe,Wu, Jun-Rong,Zhai, Li-Min,Yang, Shi,Li, Tai-Jie,Li, Ruo-Lin,Li, Shan,Qin, Xue Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.7

The relationship between the X-ray repair cross-complementing group 3 (XRCC3) Thr241Met polymorphism and gliomas remains inclusive or controversial. For better understanding of the effect of XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism on glioma risk, a meta-analysis was performed. All eligible studies were identified through a search of PubMed, Elsevier Science Direct, Excerpta Medica Database (Embase) and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) before May 2013. The association between the XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism and gliomas risk was conducted by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). A total of nine case-control studies including 3,533 cases and 4,696 controls were eventually collected. Overall, we found that XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism was significantly associated with the risk of gliomas (T vs. C: OR=1.10, 95%CI=1.01-1.20, P=0.034; TT vs. CC: OR=1.30, 95%CI=1.03-1.65, P=0.027; TT vs. TC/CC: OR=1.29, 95%CI=1.01-1.64, P=0.039). In the subgroup analysis based on ethnicity, the significant association was found in Asian under four models (T vs. C: OR=1.17, 95%CI=1.07-1.28, P=0.00; TT vs. CC: OR=1.79, 95%CI=1.36-2.36, P=0.00; TT vs. TC/CC: OR=1.75, 95%CI=1.32-2.32, P=0.00; TT/TC vs. CC: OR=1.11,95% CI=1.02-1.20). This meta-analysis suggested that the XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism is a risk factor for gliomas, especially for Asians. Considering the limited sample size and ethnicities included in the meta-analysis, further large scale and well-designed studies are needed to confirm our results.

Corrigendum to "Ginsenoside Ro, an oleanolic saponin of Panax ginseng, exerts anti-inflammatory effect by direct inhibiting toll like receptor 4 signaling pathway" [J Ginseng Res 46 (2022) 156-166]

Xu, Hong-Lin,Chen, Guang-Hong,Wu, Yu-Ting,Xie, Ling-Peng,Tan, Zhang-Bin,Liu, Bin,Fan, Hui-Jie,Chen, Hong-Mei,Huang, Gui-Qiong,Liu, Min,Zhou, Ying-Chun The Korean Society of Ginseng 2022 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.46 No.2

Burial depth of anode affected the bacterial community structure of sediment microbial fuel cells

Yi-cheng Wu,Hong-jie Wu,Hai-yan Fu,Zhineng Dai,Ze-jie Wang 대한환경공학회 2020 Environmental Engineering Research Vol.25 No.6

Sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) are attractive devices to in situ power environmental monitoring sensors and bioremediate contaminated soils/sediments. Burial depth of the anode was verified to affect the performance of SMFCs. The present research evaluated the differences in microbial community structure of anodic biofilms located at different depth. It was demonstrated that both microbial diversity and community structure of anodic biofilms were influenced by the depth of anode location. Microbial diversity decreased with increased anodic depth. The number of the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was determined as 1438 at the anode depth of 5 cm, which reduced to 1275 and 1005 at 10 cm and 15 cm, respectively. Cluster analysis revealed that microbial communities of 5 cm and 10 cm were clustered together, separated from the original sediment and 15 cm. Proteobacteria was the predominant phylum in all samples, followed by Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Beta- and Gamma-proteobacteria were the most abundant classes. A total of 23 OTUs showed high identity to 16S rRNA gene of exoelectrogens such as Geobacter and Pseudomonas. The present results provided insights into the effects of anode depth on the performance of SMFC from the perspectives of microbial community structure.

Novel Phage Display-Derived H5N1-Specific scFvs with Potential Use in Rapid Avian Flu Diagnosis

( Jie Wu ),( Xian Qiao Zeng ),( Hong Bin Zhang ),( Han Zhong Ni ),( Lei Pei ),( Li Rong Zou ),( Li Jun Liang ),( Xin Zhang ),( Jin Yan Lin ),( Chang Wen Ke ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2014 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.24 No.5

The highly pathogenic avian influenza A (HPAI) viruses of the H5N1 subtype infect poultry and have also been spreading to humans. Although new antiviral drugs and vaccinations can be effective, rapid detection would be more efficient to control the outbreak of infections. In this study, a phage-display library was applied to select antibody fragments for HPAI strain A/Hubei/1/2010. As a result, three clones were selected and sequenced. A hemagglutinin inhibition assay of the three scFvs revealed that none exhibited hemagglutination inhibition activity towards the H5N1 virus, yet they showed a higher binding affinity for several HPAI H5N1 strains compared with other influenza viruses. An ELISA confirmed that the HA protein was the target of the scFvs, and the results of a protein structure simulation showed that all the selected scFvs bound to the HA2 subunit of the HA protein. In conclusion, the three selected scFVs could be useful for developing a specific detection tool for the surveillance of HPAI epidemic strains.

Conventional Ultrasonography and Real Time Ultrasound Elastography in the Differential Diagnosis of Degenerating Cystic Thyroid Nodules Mimicking Malignancy and Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas

Wu, Hong-Xun,Zhang, Bing-Jie,Wang, Jun,Zhu, Bei-Lin,Zang, Ya-Ping,Cao, Yue-Long Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.2

Background: To evaluate the diagnostic utility of conventional ultrasonography and real time ultrasound elastography in differentiating degenerating cystic thyroid nodules mimicking malignancy from papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed conventional ultrasonographic and elastographic characteristics of 19 degenerating cystic thyroid nodules mimicking malignancy in 19 patients, with 30 surgically confirmed PTCs as controls. Based on size, the nodules had been grouped into less than 10mm (group A) and greater than 10 mm (group B). We evaluated conventional parameters and elasticity pattern. Color-scaled elastograms were graded as to stiffness of nodules using an elasticity pattern from I (soft) to IV (stiff). Results: Degenerating cystic thyroid nodules were similar to PTCs in conventional ultrasonographic findings, but the former frequently showed oval to round in shape (group A, 69.2% vs 18.8%, P=0.017; group B, 66.7% vs 7.14%, P=0.017) and punctuate hyperechoic foci (group A, 61.5% vs 0, P<0.001; group B, 50% vs 0, P<0.001). On real time ultrasound elastography, 7 of 13 degenerating cystic thyroid nodules in group A were pattern I, 5 were pattern II, 1 was pattern III. One degenerating cystic thyroid nodule in group B was pattern II, 5 were pattern III. The area under the curve for elastography was 0.98 in group A (sensitivity 92.3%, specificity 100%, P = 0.002), and 0.88 in group B (sensitivity 16.7%, specificity 100%, P = 0.014). Conclusions: As a dependable imaging technique, elastography helps increase the performance in differential diagnosis of degenerating cystic thyroid nodule and malignancy.

Optical Properties of Zinc-oxide Films Determined Using Spectroscopic Ellipsometry with Various Dispersion Models

Zhong-Hong Dai,Jie Shao,Yi-Ming Chen,Yu-Xiang Zheng,Jia-Da Wu,Liang-Yao Chen,Rong-Jun Zhang 한국물리학회 2009 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.55 No.3

In this work, we have studied the optical properties of wurtizite zinc-oxide films grown on silicon (100) substrates by means of pulsed laser deposition (PLD). Spectroscopic ellipsometry and three dispersion models, namely, the Sellmeier, Cauchy, and Forouhi-Bloomer models, were applied for determining the optical constants of the ZnO thin films. A comparison was made between two samples that were deposited for 30 minutes (sample I) and 60 minutes (sample II), respectively. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that there are two types of preferred-orientation, i.e., (101) and (100) orientations for sample I and II, respectively. Results show that the Cauchy model gives the best fit for the samples with least root mean square error (RMSE) whereas the Forouhi-Bloomer model is most suitable for the data analysis in both the transparent and the absorption regions. The optical properties extracted from different dispersion models have been compared with the data reported in the literature. The results given in this work show that different dispersion models should be applied to obtain the optical constants In this work, we have studied the optical properties of wurtizite zinc-oxide films grown on silicon (100) substrates by means of pulsed laser deposition (PLD). Spectroscopic ellipsometry and three dispersion models, namely, the Sellmeier, Cauchy, and Forouhi-Bloomer models, were applied for determining the optical constants of the ZnO thin films. A comparison was made between two samples that were deposited for 30 minutes (sample I) and 60 minutes (sample II), respectively. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that there are two types of preferred-orientation, i.e., (101) and (100) orientations for sample I and II, respectively. Results show that the Cauchy model gives the best fit for the samples with least root mean square error (RMSE) whereas the Forouhi-Bloomer model is most suitable for the data analysis in both the transparent and the absorption regions. The optical properties extracted from different dispersion models have been compared with the data reported in the literature. The results given in this work show that different dispersion models should be applied to obtain the optical constants

Isolation of Dibutyl Phthalate-Degrading Bacteria and Its Coculture with Citrobacter freundii CD-9 to Degrade Fenvalerate

( Min Wu Jie Tang ),( Xuerui Zhou ),( Dan Lei ),( Chaoyi Zeng ),( Hong Ye Ting Cai ),( Qing Zhang ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2022 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.32 No.2

Continued fenvalerate use has caused serious environmental pollution and requires large-scale remediation. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) was discovered in fenvalerate metabolites degraded by Citrobacter freundii CD-9. Coculturing is an effective method for bioremediation, but few studies have analyzed the degradation pathways and potential mechanisms of cocultures. Here, a DBPdegrading strain (BDBP 071) was isolated from soil contaminated with pyrethroid pesticides (PPs) and identified as Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila. The optimum conditions for DBP degradation were determined by response surface methodology (RSM) analysis to be 30.9 mg/l DBP concentration, pH 7.5, at a culture temperature of 37.2℃. Under the optimized conditions, approximately 88% of DBP was degraded within 48 h and five metabolites were detected. Coculturing C. freundii CD-9 and S. acidaminiphila BDBP 071 promoted fenvalerate degradation. When CD-9 was cultured for 16 h before adding BDBP 071, the strain inoculation ratio was 5:5 (v/v), fenvalerate concentration was 75.0 mg/l, fenvalerate was degraded to 84.37 ± 1.25%, and DBP level was reduced by 5.21 mg/l. In addition, 12 fenvalerate metabolites were identified and a pathway for fenvalerate degradation by the cocultured strains was proposed. These results provide theoretical data for further exploration of the mechanisms used by this coculture system to degrade fenvalerate and DBP, and also offer a promising method for effective bioremediation of PPs and their related metabolites in polluted environments.

Elevated FBXL6 expression in hepatocytes activates VRK2-transketolase-ROS-mTOR-mediated immune evasion and liver cancer metastasis in mice

Zhang Jie,Lin Xiao-Tong,Yu Hong-Qiang,Fang Lei,Wu Di,Luo Yuan-Deng,Zhang Yu-Jun,Xie Chuan-Ming 생화학분자생물학회 2023 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.55 No.-

Metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most lethal malignancy and lacks effective treatment. FBXL6 is overexpressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but whether this change drives liver tumorigenesis and lung metastasis in vivo remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to identify FBXL6 (F-Box and Leucine Rich Repeat Protein 6) as a key driver of HCC metastasis and to provide a new paradigm for HCC therapy. We found that elevated FBXL6 expression in hepatocytes drove HCC lung metastasis and was a much stronger driver than Kras mutation (KrasG12D/+;Alb-Cre), p53 haploinsufficiency (p53+/-) or Tsc1 loss (Tsc1fl/fl;Alb-Cre). Mechanistically, VRK2 promoted Thr287 phosphorylation of TKT and then recruited FBXL6 to promote TKT ubiquitination and activation. Activated TKT further increased PD-L1 and VRK2 expression via the ROS-mTOR axis, leading to immune evasion and HCC metastasis. Targeting or knockdown of TKT significantly blocked FBXL6-driven immune evasion and HCC metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Notably, the level of active TKT (p-Thr287 TKT) was increased and was positively correlated with the FBXL6 and VRK2 expression levels in HCC patients. Our work provides novel mechanistic insights into FBXL6-driven HCC metastasis and suggests that targeting the TKT-ROS-mTOR-PD-L1/VRK2 axis is a new paradigm for treating patients with metastatic HCC with high FBXL6 expression.