Frankincense can promote blood circulation. Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid （AKBA） is a small molecule with anti-inflammatory properties that is derived from Boswellia serrata. Here, we hypothesized that it may pro...Frankincense can promote blood circulation. Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid （AKBA） is a small molecule with anti-inflammatory properties that is derived from Boswellia serrata. Here, we hypothesized that it may promote regeneration of injured sciatic nerve. To address this hypothesis, we established a rat model of sciatic nerve injury using a nerve clamping method. Rats were administered AKBA once every 2 days at doses of 1.5, 3, and 6 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection for 30 days from the 1st day after injury. Sciatic nerve function was evaluated using the sciatic functional index. Degree of muscle atrophy was measured using the triceps surae muscle Cuadros index.Neuropathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Western blot analysis was used to detect expression of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 （p-ERK1/2） in injured nerve. S100 immunoreactivity in injured nerve was detected by immunohistochemistry. In vivo experiments showed that 3 and 6 mg/kg AKBA significantly increased sciatic nerve index, Cuadros index of triceps muscle, p-ERK1/2 expression, and S100 immunoreactivity in injured sciatic nerve of sciatic nerve injury model rats. Furthermore,for in vitro experiments, Schwann cells were treated with AKBA at 0–20 μg/mL. Proliferation of Schwann cells was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 colorimetry assay. The results showed that 2 μg/mL AKBA is the optimal therapeutic concentration. In addition, ERK phosphorylation levels increased following 2 μg/mL AKBA treatment. In the presence of the ERK1/2 inhibitor, PD98059 （2.5 μL/mL）, the AKBA-induced increase in p-ERK1/2 protein expression was partially abrogated. In conclusion, our study shows that AKBA promotes peripheral nerve regeneration with ERK protein phosphorylation playing a key role in this process.展开更多
Previous studies showed that acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid(AKBA),the active ingredient in the natural Chinese medicine Boswellia,can stimulate sciatic nerve injury repair via promoting Schwann cell proliferation....Previous studies showed that acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid(AKBA),the active ingredient in the natural Chinese medicine Boswellia,can stimulate sciatic nerve injury repair via promoting Schwann cell proliferation.However,the underlying molecular mechanism remains poorly understood.In this study,we performed genomic sequencing in a rat model of sciatic nerve crush injury after gastric AKBA administration for 30 days.We found that the phagosome pathway was related to AKBA treatment,and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the neurotrophic factor signaling pathway was also highly up-regulated.We further investigated gene and protein expression changes in the phagosome pathway and neurotrophic factor signaling pathway.Myeloperoxidase expression in the phagosome pathway was markedly decreased,and brain-derived neurotrophic factor,nerve growth factor,and nerve growth factor receptor expression levels in the neurotrophic factor signaling pathway were greatly increased.Additionally,expression levels of the inflammatory factors CD68,interleukin-1β,pro-interleukin-1β,and tumor necrosis factor-αwere also decreased.Myelin basic protein-andβ3-tubulin-positive expression as well as the axon diameter-to-total nerve diameter ratio in the injured sciatic nerve were also increased.These findings suggest that,at the molecular level,AKBA can increase neurotrophic factor expression through inhibiting myeloperoxidase expression and reducing inflammatory reactions,which could promote myelin sheath and axon regeneration in the injured sciatic nerve.展开更多
The behavior of oil and water in tight rocks can change the distribution of oil or water in pores,which affects the production of crude oil.Nuclear Magnetic Resonance(NMR)method is an effective and nondestructive tool...The behavior of oil and water in tight rocks can change the distribution of oil or water in pores,which affects the production of crude oil.Nuclear Magnetic Resonance(NMR)method is an effective and nondestructive tool for evaluating rocks with comparison and analysis both quantitatively and qualitatively.In our study,20 MHz NMR Relaxometry is used as a key technique to study the changes of water and oil behaviors in Chinese lacustrine Qingshankou shales under different saturated states(imbibition and evaporation without pressure).The results show that variation in different proton populations(water,oil and organic)can be distinguished using 2D T_(1)-T_(2)maps.The comparison among T_(1)-T_(2)maps with different saturated states shows that different signal regions changed during oil and water migrations,which the 1D NMR Relaxometry may be not easy to approach.Combined with the pyrolysis analysis,T2 shift and differences of signal regions in T_(1)-T_(2)maps can reflect properties such as wettability and composition(organic matter,clay and magnetic minerals)to some extent.This study provides better insight into oil and water behaviors in lacustrine oil shales with further understanding of 20 MHz NMR 2D T_(1)-T_(2)maps both in qualitative and quantitative analysis.展开更多
Objective: Parkinson’s disease(PD) is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra(SN). Our previous study demonstrated kukoamine A(KuA) to exhibit strong neuroprotective effects through anti...Objective: Parkinson’s disease(PD) is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra(SN). Our previous study demonstrated kukoamine A(KuA) to exhibit strong neuroprotective effects through antioxidative stress, and autophagy in MPTP/MPP+-induced PD models in vivo and in vitro. It is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of the anti-PD effects under various models.Methods: In the present study, total chemical synthesis was used to obtain KuA, which performed low content in Lycii Cortex. Then, 6-OHDA-induced PD model of PC12 cells was used to investigate the effects of KuA on PD.Results: Our results demonstrated that KuA ameliorated cell loss and mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP) loss, and inhibited Bax/Bcl-2 ratio increase that were induced by 6-OHDA. Iron accumulation in SN is thought to participate in neuronal death in PD, which subsequently resulted in oxidative stress and overexpression of a-synuclein caused by iron metabolism protein disorder. In our study, KuA could chelate cellular iron content and decrease iron influx. Moreover, KuA could upregulate the expression of ferroportin1 and Hephaestin, downregulate the expression of DMT1, TfR, and Ferritin to maintain cellular iron homeostasis avoiding neuronal death from cellular iron deposition. Moreover, KuA could decrease the expression of a-synuclein in cells. All the results indicated that KuA protected against neurotoxininduced PD due to the apoptosis inhibition and iron homeostasis maintaining.Conclusion: KuA treatment might represent a neuroprotective treatment for PD.展开更多
文摘Frankincense can promote blood circulation. Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid （AKBA） is a small molecule with anti-inflammatory properties that is derived from Boswellia serrata. Here, we hypothesized that it may promote regeneration of injured sciatic nerve. To address this hypothesis, we established a rat model of sciatic nerve injury using a nerve clamping method. Rats were administered AKBA once every 2 days at doses of 1.5, 3, and 6 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection for 30 days from the 1st day after injury. Sciatic nerve function was evaluated using the sciatic functional index. Degree of muscle atrophy was measured using the triceps surae muscle Cuadros index.Neuropathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Western blot analysis was used to detect expression of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 （p-ERK1/2） in injured nerve. S100 immunoreactivity in injured nerve was detected by immunohistochemistry. In vivo experiments showed that 3 and 6 mg/kg AKBA significantly increased sciatic nerve index, Cuadros index of triceps muscle, p-ERK1/2 expression, and S100 immunoreactivity in injured sciatic nerve of sciatic nerve injury model rats. Furthermore,for in vitro experiments, Schwann cells were treated with AKBA at 0–20 μg/mL. Proliferation of Schwann cells was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 colorimetry assay. The results showed that 2 μg/mL AKBA is the optimal therapeutic concentration. In addition, ERK phosphorylation levels increased following 2 μg/mL AKBA treatment. In the presence of the ERK1/2 inhibitor, PD98059 （2.5 μL/mL）, the AKBA-induced increase in p-ERK1/2 protein expression was partially abrogated. In conclusion, our study shows that AKBA promotes peripheral nerve regeneration with ERK protein phosphorylation playing a key role in this process.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.31972725(to WHY)
文摘Previous studies showed that acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid(AKBA),the active ingredient in the natural Chinese medicine Boswellia,can stimulate sciatic nerve injury repair via promoting Schwann cell proliferation.However,the underlying molecular mechanism remains poorly understood.In this study,we performed genomic sequencing in a rat model of sciatic nerve crush injury after gastric AKBA administration for 30 days.We found that the phagosome pathway was related to AKBA treatment,and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the neurotrophic factor signaling pathway was also highly up-regulated.We further investigated gene and protein expression changes in the phagosome pathway and neurotrophic factor signaling pathway.Myeloperoxidase expression in the phagosome pathway was markedly decreased,and brain-derived neurotrophic factor,nerve growth factor,and nerve growth factor receptor expression levels in the neurotrophic factor signaling pathway were greatly increased.Additionally,expression levels of the inflammatory factors CD68,interleukin-1β,pro-interleukin-1β,and tumor necrosis factor-αwere also decreased.Myelin basic protein-andβ3-tubulin-positive expression as well as the axon diameter-to-total nerve diameter ratio in the injured sciatic nerve were also increased.These findings suggest that,at the molecular level,AKBA can increase neurotrophic factor expression through inhibiting myeloperoxidase expression and reducing inflammatory reactions,which could promote myelin sheath and axon regeneration in the injured sciatic nerve.
基金supported by the Opening Fund of Key Laboratory of Continental Shale Accumulation and Development(Northeast Petroleum University,China)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51605089,Grant No.41972156)
文摘The behavior of oil and water in tight rocks can change the distribution of oil or water in pores,which affects the production of crude oil.Nuclear Magnetic Resonance(NMR)method is an effective and nondestructive tool for evaluating rocks with comparison and analysis both quantitatively and qualitatively.In our study,20 MHz NMR Relaxometry is used as a key technique to study the changes of water and oil behaviors in Chinese lacustrine Qingshankou shales under different saturated states(imbibition and evaporation without pressure).The results show that variation in different proton populations(water,oil and organic)can be distinguished using 2D T_(1)-T_(2)maps.The comparison among T_(1)-T_(2)maps with different saturated states shows that different signal regions changed during oil and water migrations,which the 1D NMR Relaxometry may be not easy to approach.Combined with the pyrolysis analysis,T2 shift and differences of signal regions in T_(1)-T_(2)maps can reflect properties such as wettability and composition(organic matter,clay and magnetic minerals)to some extent.This study provides better insight into oil and water behaviors in lacustrine oil shales with further understanding of 20 MHz NMR 2D T_(1)-T_(2)maps both in qualitative and quantitative analysis.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province,China.(Project number:20170540945)。
文摘Objective: Parkinson’s disease(PD) is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra(SN). Our previous study demonstrated kukoamine A(KuA) to exhibit strong neuroprotective effects through antioxidative stress, and autophagy in MPTP/MPP+-induced PD models in vivo and in vitro. It is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of the anti-PD effects under various models.Methods: In the present study, total chemical synthesis was used to obtain KuA, which performed low content in Lycii Cortex. Then, 6-OHDA-induced PD model of PC12 cells was used to investigate the effects of KuA on PD.Results: Our results demonstrated that KuA ameliorated cell loss and mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP) loss, and inhibited Bax/Bcl-2 ratio increase that were induced by 6-OHDA. Iron accumulation in SN is thought to participate in neuronal death in PD, which subsequently resulted in oxidative stress and overexpression of a-synuclein caused by iron metabolism protein disorder. In our study, KuA could chelate cellular iron content and decrease iron influx. Moreover, KuA could upregulate the expression of ferroportin1 and Hephaestin, downregulate the expression of DMT1, TfR, and Ferritin to maintain cellular iron homeostasis avoiding neuronal death from cellular iron deposition. Moreover, KuA could decrease the expression of a-synuclein in cells. All the results indicated that KuA protected against neurotoxininduced PD due to the apoptosis inhibition and iron homeostasis maintaining.Conclusion: KuA treatment might represent a neuroprotective treatment for PD.
