Influence of Radix Isatidis on the Endotoxin-induced Release of TNF-α and IL-8 from HL-60 Cells

The effects of active antiendotoxin chemical fraction isolated from Radix Isatidis (fraction D) on TNF-α and IL-8 secretion in HL-60 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were studied. The appropriate densities of cell suspension and fraction D solution were determined by MTT colorimetric method. Fraction D and LPS were added to HL-60 cell suspension with three different methods respectively. The contents of TNF-α and IL-8 in the cultured supernatant induced by LPS were detected by using ELISA method. The results showed that the absorbance (A) was directly proportional to the number of cells and the linearity was good in the range from 0.25 × 105 to 2 ×105 cell/mL cell suspension. The fraction D significantly inhibited the oversecretion of TNF-α and IL-8 in HL-60 cells induced by LPS at the concentration of 7. 812 mg/mL which had no cytotoxicity. It was indicated that the antiendotoxin mechanism of the active fraction from Radix Isatidis was contributed to the inhibition of the oversecretion of cytokines induced by LPS.     

Effect of Radix lsatidis on the Expression of Moesin mRNA Induced by LPS in the Tissues of Mice

To investigate the effect of the anti-endotoxic part of Radix Isatidis on the expression of moesin mRNA in murine tissues induced by lipopolysaccharide （LPS）, the sample solution of F0z2 part from Radix Isatidis was intrapefitoneally administered to experimental mice, and the lipopolysaccharide （LPS） were injected into the tail vein, and then the tissues of liver, kidney and spleen were colleted and cut into slices. The mRNA was detected by moesin mRNA hybridization in situ. The staining results were observed under microscope. It was found that moesin mRNA expression was increased in the tissues of liver, kidndy and spleen in mice treated with LPS, while in the mice pre-treated with F022 part from Radix Isatidis, the LPS-induced moesin mRNA expressions in these tissues were inhibited in a dose-dependant manner. Our study showed that F022 part from Radix Isatidis can inhibit the LPS-induced expression of moesin mRNA in the tissues of liver, kidney and spleen in mice.     

Effect of Reduqing () on endotoxin-lnduced production of tissue factor and cytokines in human whole blood) on endotoxin-lnduced production of tissue factor and cytokines in human whole blood

Objective: To study the effect of Reduqing (RDQ) Injection on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tissue factor and cytokine production in whole blood. Methods: Heparinized human blood was incubated with LPS in the presence or absence of RDQ. The plasma concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and the monocyte tissue factor activity was measured by a one-stage tissue factor induced plasma clotting time assay. Results: RDQ was found to diminish the LPS-induced increase of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in plasma but did not completely abolish their production. In contrast to the effect on these cytokines, RDQ caused further increase of the plasma level of IL-8 and the monocyte TF activity in the presence of LPS. Conclusions: In the in vitro whole blood assay system used in this study, the decrease of LPS-induced production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 was similar to a previousin vivo study on the effect of RDQ on the production of these cytokines in response to two-time LPS injection in rabbits, while the increase of IL-8 and TF production was contradictory to the previous in vivo study. Potential reasons contributing to the differences are discussed.     

Effect of Jianpi Huoxue decoction (健脾活血方)-containing serum on tumor necrosis factor-α secretion and gene Expression of endotoxin receptors in RAW264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide

Objective:To evaluate the effect of Jianpi Huoxue decoction(健脾活血方,JHD)-containing serum on tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) secretion and endotoxin receptor gene expression in RAW264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS).Methods:The cytotoxicity of blank-control serum and JHD-containing serum at different concentrations were evaluated through the lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) assay in RAW264.7 cells.RAW264.7 cells were divided into six groups:5%blank-control serum group(C1,n=3),5%blank-control serum plus...     

Screening of Anti-endotoxin Components from Radix Isatidis

The control of endotoxin-associated diseasesisone of the most active fields in the recent years .For the infection of with Gram-negative bacteria ,antibiotics can kill bacteria but cannot decomposethe endotoxin released from destroyed bacterialstructure . The problemis that the more bacteriaare killed, the more endotoxin will be release ,which tends to lead to fetal endotoxemia .RadixIsatidishas the action of anti-O111B4-endotox-in[1 -3], and so far 31 monomer compounds havebeenisolated[4 -8…     

Effects of Baicalin on Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in Cultured Fibroblasts Stimulated by Cytokines

Objective: To investigate the effects of baicalin on expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in fibroblasts and its mechanisms in treating psoriasis. Methods: Fibroblasts cultured in vitro were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-8 (IL-S) in different groups. iNOS was detected by western blot and immunocytochemistry assay, and in addition, the effects of baicalin on its expression were investigated. Results: Fibroblasts did not express iNOS without cytokine stimulation. When treated for 24 h with 1. 0× 106 U/L TNF-α, 0.2× 106U/L IFN-γ, 0.2× 106 pg/L IL-8 alone or in combinations indicated, fibroblasts produced iNOS when stimulated by TNF-α alone while neither IFN-γ nor IL-8 could induce the production of iNOS. The combination of TNF-α and IL-8 induced a strong expression of iNOS, the combined exposure of three kinds of cytokines showed an even stronger effects. The strongly stained area was in the cytoplasm near the nuclei. Expression of iNOS induced by TNF-α and IL-8 was inhibited by 50 μg/ mi of baicalin. Conclusion: Fibroblasts might express iNOS when stimulated by certain cytokines. Baicalin decreased production of nitric oxide through inhibiting the expression of iNOS, furthermore it reduced inflammation, which might be part of its mechanisms in treating psoriasis.     

The Change of Interleukin-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome( OSAS) is avery common disease,which is characterized by re-current apneas caused by occlusion of upper airwayduring sleep,leading to arterial oxygen desaturationand a decrease in tissue oxygen concentration.Pa-tients with OSAS exhibit dramatic fragmentation ofsleep,a decrease in the duration of stage3and 4sleep,decreased percentages of rapid eye movementsleep ( REMS) ,and excessive daytime somnolence.The cause and pathogenesis of OSAS are unclear.Recentl…     

Expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in MCMV myocarditis and its role

Summary In order to study the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in the myocardium of MCMV myocarditis and their role in the myocardial damages, 60 BALB/C mice of 4 weeks were randomly divided into two groups: 36 were injected intraperitoneally with MCMV and 24 served as control group. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect IL-1β and TNF-α expression in the myocardium, and myocardial lesions were observed histopathologically. Histopathological study on the myocardium from infected mice revealed focal or diffuse lesions characterized by inflammatory cells and degeneration or necrosis of myocytes. The myocardial lesion score showed the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration was slight in MCMV myocarditis. The positive staining signals for IL-1β and TNF-α proteins which mainly located in the infiltrating inflammatory cells and degenerative or necrotic myocytes were markedly detectable whereas there were no positive findings in the myocardium of control mice. IL-1β and TNF-α was expressed in the myocardium of viral myocarditis murine model induced by MCMV. IL-1β and TNF-α may play an important role in the pathogenesis of viral myocarditis, TANG Xingsan, male, born in 1963, Associate Professor, M.D., Ph.D. This project was supported by a grant from National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 39970306).     

TNF-α and IL-8 of the patients with allergic asthma

Summary The levels of serum TNF-α and IL-8 in the patients with allergic asthma during acute attack period and remission period, and the effects of glucocorticoid (GC) on them were investigated. By using ELISA, the levels of TNF-α and IL-8 were detected in the healthy volunteers (group C,n=40), the patients with allergic asthma (n=40) during acute attack period (group A) and remission period (group B) and those taking GC for a week (n=28). The results were compared among them. It was found that the levels of TNF-α and IL-8 in group A were higher than in group B and group C. In the patients subject to GC therapy, the levels of TNF-α and IL-8 were decreased as compared with those in group A. In group B, the level of TNF-α was higher than in group C, but there was no significant difference in the level of IL-8 between group B and group C. It was concluded that the inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-8, played important roles in the bronchus allergic inflammation. GC could reduce the levels of serum TNF-α and IL-8 to exert the anti-inflammatory effects. LIU Guanghui, male, born in 1952, Associate Professor