Background
Vetiver grass (
Vetiveria zizanioides
L.) is widely used in more than 120 countries for land management (e.g. rehabilitation of saline lands). A wild ecotype of vetiver grass was found in ...southern China in the 1950s, but little is known about its adaptability to saline stress. For the purpose of understanding its tolerance to salinity as well as corresponding tolerance mechanisms, in a greenhouse with natural lighting, seedlings were grown in culture solutions and subjected to a range of NaCl concentrations for 18 days.
Results
Compared to no NaCl treatment, 200 mM NaCl significantly reduced leaf water potential, leaf water content, leaf elongation rate, leaf photosynthetic rate and plant relative growth rate and increased leaf malondialdehyde (MDA) content, but the parameters showed only slight reduction at 150 mM NaCl. In addition, salinity caused an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes in leaves. Moreover, increasing NaCl levels significantly increased Na
+
but decreased K
+
concentrations in both roots and leaves. The leaves had higher K
+
concentrations at all NaCl levels, but lower Na
+
concentrations compared to the roots, thereby maintaining higher K
+
/Na
+
ratio in leaves.
Conclusions
Our results showed that the salinity threshold of this wild vetiver grass is about 100 mM NaCl, i.e. highly tolerant to salt stress. This wild vetiver grass has a high ability to exclude Na
+
and retain K
+
in its leaves, which is a critical strategy for salt tolerance.
The leuko-glycaemic index (LGI) is an index that combines white blood cell count and blood glucose and could be a marker of systemic inflammatory response syndrome. The prognostic value of the LGI in ...acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is still unclear. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the LGI for short- and long-term prognosis in AMI patients with different diabetic status.
This was an observational, multicenter study involving 1256 AMI patients admitted in 11 hospitals between March 2014 and June 2019 in Chengdu. White blood cell count and blood glucose were measured on admission. The LGI was calculated by multiplying both values and dividing them by a thousand. Logistic regression was used to explore the predictive value of LGI in in-hospital mortality. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off values of the LGI to predict in-hospital mortality. The patients were classified into diabetic and non-diabetic groups and further divided into higher and lower LGI subgroups according to the optimal cut-off values. The endpoints were all-cause mortality during the hospitalization and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) during follow-up, including all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, vessel revascularization and non-fatal stroke.
LGI was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality during the hospitalization in non-diabetics, but not in diabetics. The optimal cut-off values of diabetics and non-diabetics were 3593 mg/dl. mm
and 1402 mg/dl. mm
, respectively. Whether diabetics or not, in-hospital mortality was higher in the higher LGI subgroup (p-value < 0.001). And in the follow-up of 15 months (9 months, 22 months), we observed 99 (8.6%), 6 (0.5%), 54 (4.7%) and 29 (2.5%) cases of death, non-fatal MI, revascularization and non-fatal stroke, respectively. The cumulative incidence of MACCE during follow-up was higher in the higher LGI subgroup, both in the diabetics and non-diabetics (p-value < 0.05). In non-diabetics, higher LGI was an independent predictor of MACCE.
LGI was an independent predictor for short- and long-term prognosis in AMI patients without diabetes, but had no prognostic value for short- and long-term prognosis of AMI patients with diabetes.
Pulsatilla decoction (PD) is a classical prescription in traditional Chinese medicine that has therapeutic effects on wetness‐heat‐induced diarrhea (WHD). To investigate the therapeutic effects of PD ...in the treatment of WHD and elucidate the potential mechanism, we used a metabolomics strategy on the base of ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight/mass spectrometry (UPLC–Q/TOF–MS/MS) and analyzed the serum samples of 32 rats to identify differential metabolites and pathways associated with the PD treatment of WHD. With variable importance for projection >1.0 in the Orthogonal partial least‐squares discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA ) models and FC ≥1.2 or ≤0.8, 67 differential metabolites in the model and control groups and 33 differential metabolites in the model and PD groups were screened. A total of 23 differential metabolites were selected based on Venny analysis. Functional analysis showed that the differential metabolites identified were primarily involved in pentose and glucuronate interconversions, glycerophospholipid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, and glycerolipid metabolism. This study suggested that PD exerts inhibitory effects on WHD. In particular, the significant roles of PD for treating WHD lie in regulating perturbed energy metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism and glycerolipid metabolism, and promoting lysoPC production restoring the function of intestinal tract.
Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is a famous Chinese medicinal decoction. Mechanism of DBT action is wide ranging and unclear. Exploring new ways of treatment with DBT is useful. Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were ...randomly divided into 3 groups including control (NC, Saline), the DBT (at a dose of 8.10 g−1), and blood deficiency(BD) (Cyclophosphamide (APH)-andCyclophosphamide(CTX)-induced anaemia). A metabolomics approach using Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight/Mass Spectrometry (LC/Q-TOFMS) was developed to perform the plasma metabolic profiling analysis and differential metaboliteswerescreened according to the multivariate statistical analysiscomparing the NC and BD groups, andthe hub metabolites were outliers with high scores of the centrality indices. Anaemia disease-related protein target and compound of DBT databases were constructed. The TCMSP, ChemMapper and STITCH databases were used to predict the protein targets of DBT. Using the Cytoscape 3.2.1 to establish a phytochemical component-target protein interaction network and establish a component, protein and hub metabolite protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and merging the three PPI networks basing on BisoGenet. The gene enrichment analysis was used to analyse the relationship between proteins based on the relevant genetic similarity by ClueGO. The results shown DBT effectively treated anaemia in vivo. 11 metabolic pathways are involved in the therapeutic effect of DBT in vivo; S-adenosyl-l-methionine, glycine, l-cysteine, arachidonic acid (AA) and phosphatidylcholine(PC) were screened as hub metabolites in APH-and CTX-induced anaemia. A total of 288 targets were identified as major candidates for anaemia progression. The gene-set enrichment analysis revealed that the targets are involved in iron ion binding, haemopoiesis, reactive oxygen species production, inflammation and apoptosis. The results also showed that these targets were associated with iron ion binding, haemopoiesis, ROS production, apoptosis, inflammation and related signalling pathways. DBT can promote iron ion binding and haemopoiesis activities, restrain inflammation, production of reactive oxygen, block apoptosis, and contribute significantly to the DBT treat anaemia.
Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has potential anti-apoptotic properties. A novel compound 4-(2-acetoxy-3-((R)-3-(benzylthio)-1-methoxy-1-oxopropan-2- ylamino)-3-oxopropyl)-1,2-phenylene diacetate (DSC) was ...synthesized by joining danshensu and cysteine through an appropriate linker. This study investigated if the cytoprotective properties of DSC involved the induction of HO-1.
We evaluated the cytoprotective effects of DSC on H2O2-induced cell damage, apoptosis, intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) loss, and apoptosis-related proteins expression and its underlying mechanisms.
DSC concentration-dependently attenuated cell death, lactate dehydrogenase release, intracellular and mitochondrial ROS production, and ΔΨm collapse, modulated apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, p53, and cleaved PARP) expression, and inhibited phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in SH-SY5Y cells induced by H2O2. In addition, DSC concentration-dependently induced HO-1 expression associated with nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf-2), while the effect of DSC was inhibited by a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002. Furthermore, the protective effect of DSC on H2O2-induced cell death was abolished by HO-1 inhibitor ZnPP, but was mimicked by carbon monoxide-releasing moiety CORM-3 or HO-1 by-product bilirubin. Finally, DSC inhibited H2O2-induced changes of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 expression, and all of these effects were reversed by HO-1 silencing.
Induction of HO-1 may be, at least in part, responsible for the anti-apoptotic property of DSC, an effect that involved the activation of PI3K/Akt/Nrf-2 axis.
DSC might have the potential for beneficial therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative diseases.
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► DSC induces expression of HO-1 protein. ► H2O2-induced apoptosis is inhibited by DSC pretreatment. ► DSC scavenges reactive oxygen species and protects mitochondrial function which protects H2O2-induced apoptosis. ► Silencing of HO-1 abolishes the anti-apoptotic effects of DSC.
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammation occurs commonly and volatile oil from Angelica sinensis (VOAS) can be used as an anti‐inflammatory agent. The molecular mechanisms that allow the ...anti‐inflammatory factors to be expressed are still unknown. In this paper, we applied gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and high‐performance liquid chromatography–time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LC‐Q/TOF–MS) based on a metabolomics platform coupled with a network approach to analyze urine samples in three groups of rats: one with LPS‐induced inflammation (MI); one with intervention with VOAS; and normal controls (NC). Our study found definite metabolic footprints of inflammation and showed that all three groups of rats, MI, intervention with VOAS and NC have distinct metabolic profiles in urine. The concentrations of 48 metabolites differed significantly among the three groups. The metabolites in urine were screened by the GC–MS and LC‐Q/TOF–MS methods. The significantly changed metabolites (p < 0.05, variable importance in projection > 1.5) between MI, NC and VOAS were included in the metabolic networks. Finally, hub metabolites were screened, including glycine, arachidonic acid, l‐glutamate, pyruvate and succinate, which have high values of degree (k). the Results suggest that disorders of glycine, arachidonic acid, l‐glutamate, pyruvate and succinate metabolism might play an important part in the predisposition and development of LPS‐induced inflammation. By applying metabolomics with network methods, the mechanisms of diseases are clearly elucidated.
Curcumae Rhizoma-Sparganii Rhizoma (CR-SR), an ancient and classical herbal couple, has been extensively used for tumor treatment in clinic of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs).
The study aimed to ...uncover the anti-tumor active materials of CR-SR water decoction (CR:SR = 1:1) via an integrated approach of spectrum-effect relationship, molecular docking, and ADME evaluation.
The anti-tumor activities toward A549, HepG2, Hela, BGC-823, and MCF-7 cells of the different polar elution fractions (DPEFs) of CR, SR, and CR-SR were determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Likewise, the DPEFs’ combinations of CR and SR were also tested. The chemical fingerprints of these fractions were profiled by HPLC. Meanwhile, HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS was applied for the identification of chemical components. The main effect-related compounds were screened out by spectrum-effect relationship and molecular docking method. The oral bioavailability and druggability of these active components were subsequently evaluated. Finally, five monomeric compounds were validated experimentally using HepG2 cells.
The 80% ethanol elution fraction of CR, SR, and CR-SR showed strong anti-tumor effects toward five cells. Also, the combinations with the 80% ethanol elution fraction of CR and SR showed stronger tumor inhibition effects among the DPEFs’ combinations of CR and SR. By spectrum-effect relationship, HPLC-MS, and molecular docking analysis, 24 main effect-related compounds seemed to have potential anti-tumor effects. ADME evaluation showed rutin performed low oral bioavailability and druggability. Therefore, we suppose that 23 compounds (including 4 unknown compounds) are the primary anti-tumor active components of CR-SR water decoction. Among them, zederone, curcumol, chlorogenic acid, calycosin, and curcumenol were validated successfully with good tumor inhibition effects.
In summary, this study demonstrated that the multi-components of CR-SR contribute to its anti-tumor effects. It established a rapid and useful strategy to explore the active material basis of traditional Chinese herbal couples with a multi-technology integrated approach in practice, including chromatography, mass spectrometry, machine algorithm models, online databases, and in vitro cell experiments.
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•Multi-technology was integrated to uncover anti-tumor active materials.•Random forest regression model was firstly used in spectrum-effect relationship.•23 chemical components were supposed to have synergistic anti-tumor activities.
Coal tailings are complex materials of low value that discharged from a coal-cleaning plant. These types of solid waste own great application prospects, but so far their utilization is still rare. ...Water pollution is another noteworthy problem in the world today. Organic pollutants such as dyes must be removed from the water. In the face of increasingly serious problems of water pollution and coal tailings reuse, it is an innovative method to treat organic wastewater with materials prepared by coal tailings. In this work, a series of TiO2 Nanotubes (TNTs) with Modified Coal Tailings (MCTs) prepared by different methods (including NaOH activation, H2SO4 activation and calcination) were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method using MCTs and Tetrabutyl titanate as starting materials. The different influencing factors on the photocatalytic performance of TNT-MCTs composites were characterized through XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, UV–vis DRS, FT-IR and BET surface measurements. The UV–vis DRS spectra revealed that the absorption edge of TNTs is 387 nm, while that of TNT-MCTs photocatalysts redshifts up to 393 nm. The photocatalytic activity of TNT-MCTs was evaluated by the photocatalytic depigmentation of methylene blue solution (MB, 10 mg/L) under UV light irradiation. The specific surface area, surface roughness and activity of MCTs were increased after loading with TNTs. The degradation rate of MB reached 91% in 60 min under UV light illumination.
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PINK1 (PTEN-induced putative kinase 1) gene is the causal gene for recessive familial type 6 of Parkinson's disease (PARK6), which is an early-onset autosomal recessive inherited neurodegenerative ...disease. PINK1 has been reported to exert both autophosphorylation and phosphorylation activity, affecting cell damage under stress and other physiological responses. However, there has been no report on the identification of PINK1 autophosphorylation sites and their physiological functions.
(1) We adopted mass spectrometry assay to identify the autophosphorylation site of PINK1, and autoradiography assay was further conducted to confirm this result. (2) Kinase activity assay was used to compare the kinase activity of both Ser465 mutant PINK1 and disease-causing mutant PINK1. (3) We use Pulse-chase analysis to measure whether Ser465 may affect PINK1 degradation. (4) Immunocytochemistry staining was used to study the PINK1 subcellular localization and Parkin transition in subcellular level.
In our study, we identified the 465th serine residue (Ser465) as one of the autophosphorylation sites in PINK1 protein. The inactivation of Ser465 can decrease the kinase activity of PINK1. Either dissipated or excessive Ser465 site phosphorylation of PINK1 can slow down its degradation. PINK1 autophosphorylation contributes to the transit of Parkin to mitochondria, and has no effect on its subcellular localization. PARK6 causal mutations, T313 M and R492X, display the same characteristics as Ser465A mutation PINK1 protein, such as decreasing PINK1 kinase activity and affecting its interaction with Parkin.
Ser465 was identified as one of the autophosphorylation sites of PINK1, which affected PINK1 kinase activity. In addition, Ser465 is involved in the degradation of PINK1 and the transit of Parkin to mitochondria. T313 M and R492X, two novel PARK6 mutations on Thr313 and Arg492, were similar to Ser465 mutation, including decreasing PINK1 phosphorylation activity and Parkin subcellular localization.
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