AMPK-endoplasmic reticulum stress axis contributes to lipopolysaccharide-caused mitochondrial dysfunction by regulating mitochondria-associated membrane function in bovine hepatocytes

Mitochondrial homeostasis is closely associated with cellular homeostasis process, whereas mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to apoptosis and mitophagy. Hence, analyzing the mechanism of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-caused mitochondrial damage is necessary to understand how cellular homeostasis is maintained in bovine hepatocytes. Mitochondria-associated membranes (MAM), a connection between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria, is important to control mitochondrial function. To investigate the underlying mechanisms of the LPS-caused mitochondrial dysfunction, hepatocytes isolated from dairy cows at ∼160 d in milk (DIM) were pretreated with the specific inhibitors of adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), ER stress, RNA-activated protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK), inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α), c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and autophagy followed by a 12 I1/4g/mL LPS treatment. The results showed that inhibiting ER stress with 4-phenylbutyric acid decreased the levels of autophagy and mitochondrial damage with AMPK inactivation in LPS-treated hepatocytes. The AMPK inhibitor compound C pretreatment alleviated LPS-induced ER stress, autophagy and mitochondrial dysfunction by regulating the expression of MAM-related genes, such as mitofusin 2 (MFN2), PERK, and IRE1α. Moreover, inhibiting PERK and IRE1α mitigated autophagy and mitochondrial dynamic disruption by regulating the MAM function. Additionally, blocking c-Jun N-terminal kinase, the downstream sensor of IRE1α, could reduce the levels of autophagy and apoptosis and restore the balance of mitochondrial fusion and fission by modulating the B cell leukemia 2 (BCL-2)/BCL-2 interacting protein 1 (BECLIN1) complex in the LPS-treated bovine hepatocytes. Furthermore, autophagy blockage with chloroquine could intervene in LPS-caused apoptosis to restore mitochondrial function. Collectively, these findings suggest that the AMPK-ER stress axis is involved in the LPS-caused mitochondrial dysfunction by mediating the MAM activity in bovine hepatocytes.     

Free fatty acids impair autophagic activity and activate nuclear factor kappa B signaling and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome in calf hepatocytes

Free fatty acids (FFA)-induced hepatic inflammation agravates liver injury and metabolic dysfunction in dairy cows with ketosis or fatty liver. Under stressful conditions, autophagy is generally considered as a cell protection mechanism, but whether the FFA-induced inflammatory and stress effect on hepatocytes involves an autophagy response is not well known. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of FFA on autophagy and the role of autophagy in the activation of NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B) signaling and NLRP3 (NLR family pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome in calf hepatocytes. Calf hepatocytes were isolated from 3 healthy Holstein female new-born calves (1 d of age, 30–40 kg) and exposed to various concentrations of FFA (0, 0.3, 0.6, or 1.2 mM) after treatment with or without the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) or the autophagy activator rapamycin. Expression of autophagy markers, LC3 (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3) and p62 (sequestosome 1), NF-κB signaling, and NLRP3 inflammasome-related molecules were analyzed via western blot and quantitative real-time PCR. Results revealed that 0.6 and 1.2 mM FFA activated NF-κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome as indicated by an elevated ratio of p-NF-κB/NF-κB, protein abundance of NLRP3 and CASP1 (caspase 1), activity of CASP1, and mRNA abundance of IL1B and IL18. In addition, hepatocyte treated with 0.6 and 1.2 mM FFA or autophagy inhibitor CQ displayed increased protein abundance of p62 and LC3-II. Moreover, there was no difference in protein abundance of p62 and LC3-II between calf hepatocytes treated with 1.2 mM FFA and 1.2 mM FFA plus CQ, indicating that FFA inhibits autophagic activity in calf hepatocytes. Treatment with CQ led to overactivation of NF-κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome. Furthermore, CQ plus 1.2 mM FFA aggravated FFA-induced inflammation. In contrast, induction of autophagy by rapamycin ameliorated the FFA-activated NF-κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome as demonstrated by a lower ratio of p-NF-κB/NF-κB, protein abundance of NLRP3 and CASP1, activity of CASP1, and mRNA abundance of IL1B and IL18. Overall, inhibition of autophagy exacerbated, whereas induction of autophagy alleviated, FFA-induced inflammatory processes in calf hepatocytes, suggesting that impairment of autophagy might be partly responsible for hepatic inflammation and subsequent liver injury in dairy cows with ketosis or fatty liver. As such, regulation of autophagy may be an effective therapeutic strategy for controlling overt inflammatory responses in vivo.     

Anti-inflammatory effect of the hexane fraction from Orostachys japonicus in RAW 264.7 cells by suppression of NF-κB and PI3K-Akt signaling

We investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of the hexane fraction from Orostachys japonicus (OJH) in LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Pretreatment with OJH dose-dependently reduced the cellular NO (nitric oxide) concentration and also inhibited expression of iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) protein and mRNA. By the prevention of IκBα (inhibitory factor kappa B alpha) phosphorylation and degradation, OJH inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB (nuclear factor-kappa B) activation. OJH had no effect on the LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase), JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase), or p38, whereas it attenuated the phosphorylation of Akt in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, OJH suppressed the LPS-induced expression of LPS receptors CD14 and TLR4 (toll like receptor 4). These results suggest that OJH may interrupt LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cascades through inhibition of NF-κB and Akt activation.     

黑米花色苷矢车菊素-3-O-β-葡萄糖苷对脂多糖诱导的人THP-1单核细胞炎症损伤的保护作用

单核细胞介导的炎症反应在动脉粥样硬化发生和发展过程中起关键作用。花色苷是一种具有多种生物学活性的多酚类黄酮化合物,富含于各种深色的蔬菜、水果及谷类中,其中矢车菊素-3-O-β-葡萄糖苷（cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside,Cy-3-g）是花色苷中重要的单体,本研究旨在探讨黑米来源的Cy-3-g对脂多糖（lipopolysaccharide,LPS）诱导的人单核白血病细胞（Tohoku hospital pediatrics-1,THP-1）炎症损伤的作用及可能的分子机制。采用乙醇-盐酸溶液浸提、大孔树脂吸附洗脱等步骤得到黑米花色苷粗提物,然后用中压液相层析联合紫外检测提取得到纯化的Cy-3-g（纯度>96.5%）。用不同质量浓度（0、0.10、0.25μg/mL和0.50μg/mL）Cy-3-g与THP-1细胞共孵育4 h,然后加入LPS（质量浓度50 ng/mL）与细胞继续孵育48 h,用酶联免疫吸附试验法测定培养液中白细胞介素-1β(interleukin-1β,IL-1β)、IL-6、IL-8、IL-10和肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis fac...     

人参、甘草、五味子复合醋提物对老年小鼠急性炎性肝损伤保护作用的研究

目的:本研究旨在通过脂多糖(Lipopolysaccharide,LPS)诱导肝损伤小鼠考察复合醋提物(MVE)对老年小鼠炎性肝损伤的保护效果.方法:将小鼠随机分为正常对照组、MVE组、LPS组、LPS+MVE组.通过苏木精-伊红染色评估肝组织病理情况和免疫组织化学染色判断髓过氧化物酶的表达变化.同时,检测肝组织中白介...     

榆干离褶伞溶栓酶对脂多糖诱导的血管内皮细胞损伤的保护作用

目的：探讨榆干离褶伞溶栓酶对脂多糖（lipopolysaccharide,LPS）诱导的血管内皮细胞炎性损伤的保护作用。方法：以LPS诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞（human umbilical vein endothelial cells,HUVEC）炎性损伤。将HUVEC分为空白对照组、模型组和榆干离褶伞溶栓酶（Lyophyllum ulmarium fibrinolytic enzyme,LUFE）低、中、高剂量组。采用噻唑蓝法测定HUVEC存活率,通过酶联免疫吸附测试法检测细胞上清液乳酸脱氢酶（lactate dehydrogenase,LDH）、肿瘤坏死因子α（tumor necrosis factor α,TNF-α）、白介素6（interleukin 6,IL-6）、E-选择素和单核细胞趋化因子1（monocyte chemoattractant protein 1,MCP-1）水平。流式细胞术检测细胞间黏附分子1（intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1,ICAM-1）表达水平,采用Hoechst染色法观察HUVEC与人急性单核细胞白血病细胞系（human acute monocytic leukemia cell line-1,THP-1）的黏附作用。用蛋白印迹实验检测HUVEC的Toll样受体4（toll-like receptor 4,TLR4）、丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（mitogen-activated protein kinase,MAPK）以及核因子-κB（nuclear factor κB,NF-κB）通路中主要蛋白（髓样分化因子88（myeloid differentiation factor 88,MyD88）、转化生长因子β激活激酶1（transforming growth factor β activated kinase 1,TAK1）、磷酸化TAK1（phosphorylated TAK1,p-TAK1））的表达和活化情况。结果：LUFE能够抑制LPS所诱导的HUVEC培养上清液LDH、TNF-α、IL-6、E-选择素和MCP-1水平的升高,降低细胞ICAM-1表达水平并减弱HUVEC与THP-1的黏附作用。与模型组比较,LUFE各剂量组TLR4、MyD88、p-TAK1/TAK1、磷酸化c-Jun氨基末端激酶（phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase,p-JNK）/JNK、p-p38/p38、p-NF-κB/NF-κB水平显著降低（P＜0.05）。结论：LUFE对血管内皮细胞的炎性损伤具有保护作用,其作用机制可能是通过抑制TLR4/MyD88/TAK1/NF-κB信号通路及MAPK通路,进而降低炎症因子水平,从而保护血管内皮细胞。     

Toona sinensis and its major bioactive compound gallic acid inhibit LPS-induced inflammation in nuclear factor-κB transgenic mice as evaluated by in vivo bioluminescence imaging

In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of a nutritious vegetable Toona sinensis (leaf extracts, TS) and its major bioactive compound gallic acid (GA) by analysing LPS-induced NF-κB activation in transgenic mice, using bioluminescence imaging. Mice were challenged intraperitoneally with LPS (1 mg/kg) and treated orally with TS or GA (100 or 5 mg/kg, respectively). In vivo and ex vivo imaging showed that LPS increased NF-κB luminescence in the abdominal region, which was significantly inhibited by TS or GA. Immunohistochemical and ELISA analyses confirmed that TS and GA inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB, interleukin-1β, and tumour necrosis factor-α expression. Microarray analysis revealed that biological pathways associated with metabolism and the immune responses were affected by TS or GA. Particularly, LPS-induced thioredoxin-like 4B (TXNL4B) 2 expression in the small intestine, and TXNL4B, iNOS, and COX-2 expression in RAW 264.7 cells were significantly inhibited by TS or GA. Thus, the anti-inflammatory potential of TS was mediated by the downregulation of NF-κB pathway.     

原儿茶酸通过Toll样受体4/核因子κB途径减轻高脂饮食诱导的肝脏炎症

原儿茶酸（protocatechuic acid,PCA）是花青素在体内的主要代谢产物之一,具有良好的抗炎活性。本实验利用高脂饮食（high fat diet,HFD）诱导C57BL/6J小鼠肝脏炎症,通过灌胃100 mg/（kg mb·d）PCA研究其对小鼠肝脏的保护效果,并通过体外实验进一步研究其潜在机制。体内研究结果表明,PCA干预12 周后,可显著降低HFD诱导C57BL/6J小鼠的体质量和肝脏脂肪含量;血清和肝脏中白细胞介素（interleukin,IL）-1β、IL-6、肿瘤坏死因子α（tumor necrosis factor α,TNF-α）和脂多糖（lipopolysaccharide,LPS）等炎症因子水平均明显降低。体外转录组测序及原代肝细胞和肝脏的免疫印迹分析结果表明,PCA可显著降低Toll样受体4（Toll like receptor 4,TLR4）基因和蛋白的表达,然后通过下调核因子κB（nuclear factor κB,NF-κB）的磷酸化抑制炎症因子（如IL-6）的表达。综上,PCA可有效改善HFD诱导的肝脏炎症,其可能是通过下调TLR4/NF-κB信号通路来实现。     

Thiamine supplementation facilitates thiamine transporter expression in the rumen epithelium and attenuates high-grain-induced inflammation in low-yielding dairy cows

An experiment was conducted to uncover the effects of increasing dietary grain levels on expression of thiamine transporters in ruminal epithelium, and to assess the protective effects of thiamine against high-grain-induced inflammation in dairy cows. Six rumen-fistulated, lactating Holstein dairy cows (627 ± 16.9 kg of body weight, 180 ± 6 d in milk; mean ± standard deviation) were randomly assigned to a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design trial. Three treatments were control (20% dietary starch, dry matter basis), high-grain diet (HG, 33.2% dietary starch, DM basis), and HG diet supplemented with 180 mg of thiamine/kg of dry matter intake. On d 19 and 20 of each period, milk performance was measured. On d 21, ruminal pH, endotoxic lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and thiamine contents in rumen and blood, and plasma inflammatory cytokines were detected; a rumen papillae biopsy was taken on d 21 to determine the gene and protein expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathways. The HG diet decreased ruminal pH (5.93 vs. 6.49), increased milk yield from 17.9 to 20.2 kg/d, and lowered milk fat and protein from 4.28 to 3.83%, and from 3.38 to 3.11%, respectively. The HG feeding reduced thiamine content in rumen (2.89 vs. 8.97 μg/L) and blood (11.66 vs. 17.63 μg/L), and the relative expression value of thiamine transporter-2 (0.37-fold) and mitochondrial thiamine pyrophosphate transporter (0.33-fold) was downregulated by HG feeding. The HG-fed cows exhibited higher endotoxin LPS in rumen fluid (134,380 vs. 11,815 endotoxin units/mL), and higher plasma concentrations of lipopolysaccharide binding protein and pro-inflammatory cytokines when compared with the control group. The gene and protein expression of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), IL1B, and IL6 in rumen epithelium increased when cows were fed the HG diet, indicating that local inflammation occurred. The depressions in ruminal pH, milk fat, and protein of HG-fed cows were reversed by thiamine supplementation. Thiamine supplementation increased thiamine contents in rumen and blood, and also upregulated the relative expression of thiamine transporters compared with the HG group. Thiamine supplementation decreased ruminal LPS (49,361 vs. 134,380 endotoxin units/mL) and attenuated the HG-induced inflammation response as indicated by a reduction in plasma IL6, and decreasing gene and protein expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rumen epithelium. Western bottling analysis showed that thiamine suppressed the protein expression of TLR4 and the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) unit p65. In conclusion, HG feeding inhibits thiamine transporter expression in ruminal epithelium. Thiamine could attenuate the epithelial inflammation during high-grain feeding, and the protective effects may be due to its ability to suppress TLR4-mediated NFκB signaling pathways.     

Anti-inflammatory effect of lactobacilli bacteria on HepG2 cells is through cross-regulation of TLR4 and NOD2 signalling

Pathogen peptidoglycans are detected via host’s innate immune system. This course of action is executed by nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) proteins, which have been identified inducing inflammation through nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Excessive stimulation of liver cells by endotoxin leds to severe inflammatory symptoms. In this research, seven strains of lactobacilli bacteria were prior processed into crude cell wall extracts, followed by testing if crude cell wall extracts could lessen pro-inflammatory processes launched by lipopolysaccharides. The results showed lactobacilli bacteria activated NOD2 expression in mild degrees, and did not lead to serious inflammation. Prior exposure of HepG2 cells to lactobacilli bacteria rendered them desensitized to subsequent LPS challenge. The mechanism by which lactobacilli bacteria attenuated inflammation might be because of the fact that lactobacilli bacteria induced interleukin-10, suppressor of cytokine signalling 1/3 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha via NOD2-NF-κB pathway, and then cross-regulated Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) downstream signal transduction.     

Effects of metabolizable protein concentration,amino acid profile,and fiber source on the messenger RNA expression of skeletal muscle in peripartum dairy cows

After parturition, dairy cows mobilize AA from skeletal muscle to meet metabolizable protein (MP) requirements. High mobilization may compromise cow health and longer-term milk production. Postpartum diets with higher MP concentrations, improved AA profiles, or MP increased at the expense of forages rather than nonforage fiber sources may attenuate muscle catabolism; however, the molecular mechanisms responsible need investigation. We evaluated mRNA expression in the longissimus dorsi of cows fed postpartum diets differing in MP concentration, AA profile, and fiber source. From 0 to 25 d after parturition, 40 multiparous cows received the following diets: (1) 13% deficient in MP (D-MP), (2) adequate in MP using primarily soy protein (A-MP), (3) adequate in MP using blends of proteins and individual AA to improve the AA profile (Blend), or (4) similar to Blend except additional protein replaced forage (Blend-fNDF). Biopsies were taken approximately ?5, 7, and 25 d relative to parturition. Greater dietary MP concentration (D-MP vs. A-MP and Blend) decreased expression of genes related to protein synthesis (MTOR, RPS6KB1) and degradation (FOXO1), inflammation (IFNG, TLR4), and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (HSPA5, DDIT) and increased genes associated with lipogenesis (PPARG) and glucose oxidation (LDH, MB). In Blend versus A-MP (i.e., effect of AA profile), expression related to apoptosis (CASP8) and inflammation (TNFA) decreased and genes associated with cell cycle progression (E2F1) and fast-twitch glycolytic muscle fiber type (MYH4) increased. Less forage (Blend-fNDF vs. Blend) decreased genes associated with lipogenesis (PPARG, ACACA) and ER stress (BCL2, DDIT3, EIF2AK3, PPP1R15A) and increased genes associated with inflammation (TNF), inhibition of myogenesis (MSTN), and autophagy (PEBP1). In summary and based on mRNA expression, increasing MP supply may attenuate muscle turnover and ER stress. However, an unbalanced AA supply reduced cell cycle progression and protein synthesis. Lower energy supplies may reduce cell growth and cause autophagy.     

羊栖菜多酚通过核转录因子-κB/丝裂原活化蛋白激酶通路缓解脂多糖诱导的RAW264.7细胞炎症反应

目的：研究羊栖菜多酚对脂多糖（lipopolysaccharide,LPS）诱导小鼠单核巨噬细胞白血病细胞RAW264.7细胞炎症反应的影响。方法：噻唑蓝法测定细胞活力;Griess法测定一氧化氮（NO）水平;实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应测定白细胞介素（interleukin,IL）-6、IL-1β、肿瘤坏死因子（tumor necrosis factor,TNF）-α、环氧合酶2（cyclooxygenase-2,COX-2）和诱导型一氧化氮合酶（inducible nitric oxide synthase,iNOS）的基因相对表达量;流式细胞术测定细胞吞噬能力;蛋白免疫印迹法测定信号通路丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（mitogen-activated protein kinases,MAPKs）和核转录因子（nuclear factor,NF）-κB信号通路关键蛋白表达水平。结果：羊栖菜多酚对RAW264.7细胞的安全质量浓度范围为0～160 μg/mL。与LPS组相比,羊栖菜多酚剂量依赖性降低巨噬细胞吞噬能力并抑制NO的生成。同时,羊栖菜多酚下调促炎细胞因子（IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α）和炎症诱导酶（iNOS、COX-2）的mRNA水平,且作用效果与给药剂量及LPS刺激时间相关。这些炎性介质的表达与羊栖菜多酚抑制p38 MAPK和NF-κB p65的激活有关。结论：羊栖菜多酚可通过减弱p38 MAPK和NF-κB p65信号通路的激活水平,抑制下游炎症介质的转录表达,从而缓解LPS诱导的巨噬细胞炎症反应。     

Effect of endoplasmic reticulum stress on metabolic and stress signaling and kidney-specific functions in Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells

Recent studies demonstrated induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in tissues of cows after parturition, but knowledge about the effect of ER stress on important cellular processes, such as critical signaling and metabolic pathways, in cattle is scarce. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of ER stress induction on nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBF1) pathway in Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells, a widely used in vitro model in ruminant research. To consider the kidney origin of MDBK cells, the effect on renal distal tubular cell-specific functions, such as transport processes and regulation of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ levels, was also studied. Treatment of MDBK cells with 2 different ER stress inducers, thapsigargin (TG) and tunicamycin (TM), strongly induced ER stress as evident from induction of ER stress target genes, increased phosphorylation of PKR-like ER kinase, and enhanced splicing of X-box binding protein 1. The TM decreased the protein concentration of NF-κB p50 and the mRNA levels of the NF-κB target genes. Likewise, TG decreased the mRNA concentration of tumor necrosis factor and tended to decrease NF-κB p50 protein and mRNA levels of NF-κB target genes. The mRNA levels of most of the Nrf2 target genes investigated were reduced by TG and TM in MDBK cells. Both ER stress inducers reduced the mRNA levels of SREBF1 and its target genes in MDBK cells. Interestingly, TG decreased, but TM increased the mRNA level of the Ca²⁺ binding protein calbindin 1, whereas the mRNA level of the plasma membrane Ca²⁺-transporting ATPase 1 remained unchained. The mRNA level of the cytochrome P450 component 24A1 involved in 1α-hydroxylation of 25(OH)D₃ was strongly elevated, whereas the mRNA level of the cytochrome P450 component 27A1 catalyzing the breakdown of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ was markedly reduced by both ER stress inducers. The concentration of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ in the supernatant of MDBK cells was increased by approximately 15% by both TG and TM. The present study indicates that under conditions of ER stress, critical signaling pathways, such as NF-κB, Nrf2, and SREBF1, are inhibited, whereas the formation of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ is stimulated in bovine MDBK cells. Future studies are necessary to clarify the physiological relevance of these findings.     

苦荞蛋白源肽AFYRW对脂多糖诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞损伤的影响

目的：探讨苦荞蛋白源肽AFYRW在脂多糖（lipopolysaccharide,LPS）诱导的血管内皮细胞损伤中的作用。方法：采用LPS诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞（human umbilical vein endothelial cells,HUVECs）建立血管内皮细胞炎症损伤模型;采用CCK8试剂盒检测AFYRW对细胞增殖活力的影响;Western blot检测血管细胞黏附分子-1(vascular cell adhension molecule-1,VCAM-1)、细胞内黏附分子-1(intercellular adhension molecule-1,ICAM-1)、白细胞介素（interleukin,IL）-6、肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)、内皮型一氧化氮合酶（endothelial nitric oxide synthase,e NOS）、诱导型一氧化氮合酶（inducible nitricoxide synthase,iNOS）水平及核因子-κB(nuclear factor kappa-B,NF-κB)p65的磷酸化水平;酶法...     

大蒜素对脂多糖诱导腹腔巨噬细胞炎症反应的抑制作用及机制

目的:探讨大蒜素对脂多糖(LPS)诱导小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞炎症反应的抑制作用及机制。方法:建立LPS诱导小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞炎症反应细胞模型,并用地塞米松和不同浓度大蒜素处理,MTT法检测细胞活力,中性红吞噬实验检测吞噬能力,Griess法检测一氧化氮(NO)及ELISA法检测COX-2酶活性和IL-6的分泌,qPCR检测环氧合酶2(COX-2)、一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)和IL-6的mRNA表达水平,Western Blot检测COX-2、iNOS和IL-6的蛋白表达以及核转录因子NF-κB p65及其磷酸化产物的相对表达。结果:大蒜素浓度在40~160 μg/mL范围内对腹腔巨噬细胞均无细胞毒性;与LPS组比较,大蒜素处理组能促进腹腔巨噬细胞的吞噬能力,能显著(P<0.05)抑制炎症因子COX-2酶活性、NO和IL-6的分泌,能显著(P<0.05)抑制基因COX-2、iNOS和IL-6 mRNA和蛋白的相对表达,并极显著(P<0.01)抑制NF-κB p65信号通路的磷酸化。结论:大蒜素能显著抑制LPS诱导的小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞的炎症反应,其机制可能与抑制NF-κB信号通路激活有关。     

基于TLR4/NF-κB信号通路探讨黔产刺梨根干预溃疡性结肠炎的作用机制

目的:基于TLR4/NF-κB信号通路探讨黔产刺梨根治疗溃疡性结肠炎大鼠的作用机制。方法:采用2,4,6-三硝基苯磺酸（TNBS）/乙醇溶液灌肠建立溃疡性结肠炎模型,灌胃刺梨根水煎液高、中、低剂量组（8、4、2 g/kg）,柳氮磺嘧啶组（0.3 g/kg）。观察大鼠外观、动作行为以及血便;采集大鼠血清与大鼠结肠,利用苏木素-伊红（HE）染色观察各组大鼠结肠病理学改变;酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）检测大鼠血清白细胞介素（IL）-1β,IL-6,TNF-α水平;逆转录聚合酶链式反应（RT-PCR）检测大鼠结肠Myd88、NF-κB p50、NF-κB p65、TLR4 mRNA表达;蛋白免疫印迹法（Western blot）检测大鼠结肠Myd88、NF-κB p50、NF-κB p65、TLR4蛋白表达。结果:刺梨根水煎液可明显改善溃疡性结肠炎大鼠结肠炎症损伤,特别是刺梨根水煎液高剂量组。与模型组比较,刺梨根水煎液高剂量组结肠病理损伤得到显著改善,刺梨根水煎液高剂量组血清IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α水平均极显著下降（P<0.01）;结肠Myd88、NF-κB p50、TLR4 mRNA表达量显著下降（P<0.05）;结肠Myd88、NF-κB p50、NF-κB p65、TLR4蛋白表达量极显著下降（P<0.01）。结论:刺梨根水煎液可有效缓解TNBS诱导的溃疡性结肠炎并改善炎症损伤,刺梨根水煎液干预溃疡性结肠炎的作用机制可能与抑制TLR4/NF-κB信号通路相关。     

Hepatic nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome is over-activated in ketotic dairy cows

Ketosis is an important metabolic disease that can negatively affect the production efficiency of dairy cows. Earlier studies have revealed metabolic and inflammatory alterations in the blood associated with ketosis; however, a link between ketosis and hepatic inflammation has not been well documented. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome were activated in the liver of ketotic cows. Liver and blood samples were collected from healthy (n = 15, control group) and ketotic (n = 15, ketosis group) cows that had a similar number of lactations (median = 3, range = 2 to 4) and days in milk (median = 6 d, range = 3 to 9 d). Results showed that serum levels of fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were higher and glucose was lower in ketotic cows. Concentrations of serum proinflammatory cytokines IL18, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL1B were greater and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10 was lower in the ketosis group. Cows with ketosis had triacylglycerol accumulation in the liver. Upregulation of phosphorylated (p)-NF-κB and p-inhibitor of κB (IκB)α protein abundance in cows with ketosis indicated that the hepatic NF-κB signaling pathway was overactivated. The mRNA abundance of TNFA, inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2), IL18, and IL1B were greater and IL10 was lower in ketotic cows. More importantly, the mRNA and protein abundance of NLRP3 and caspase-1 (CASP1) along with CASP1 activity were greater in the liver of cows with ketosis. Overall, the data indicate that the onset of ketosis is accompanied by activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome, resulting in a state of inflammation.