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Baicalin is a flavonoid compound purified from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis, which possesses multiple biological activities. Previous studies have shown that baicalin is protective in ischemic cerebral diseases. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of baicalin on brain injury in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and to explore the possible mechanisms. Intracerebral hemorrhage was induced in male Wistar rats by injection of 0.5 U collagenaseVII to the caudate nucleus. Sham operation rats were injected with equal volume of saline. After the induction of ICH, the rats were randomly divided into four groups and administered with different dose of baicalin (0, 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg in saline) through peritoneal injection. The brain tissues around the hemorrhage areas were collected on days 1, 3, and 5 after treatment. Brain edema was analyzed by desiccation method; the metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) protein and mRNA expression were determined by western blotting and real time RT-PCR, respectively. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) protein expression was analyzed by western blotting. IL-1β and IL-6 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Blood-brain barrier permeability was determined by Evans blue leakage method. The results showed that baicalin reduced brain edema following ICH in a dose-dependent manner, with concomitant inhibition of NF-κB activation and suppression of MMP-9 expression. In addition, baicalin also reduced IL-1β and IL-6 production, as well as blood-brain barrier permeability. The above results indicated that baicalin prevents against perihematomal edema development after intracerebral hemorrhage possibly through an anti-inflammatory mechanism.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an insulin-dependent diabetes because of insufficient insulin pro‐ duction by the pancreatic islet β cells. Although the pathogenic mechanism of T1D is not yet completely clear, the current view of T1D pathogenesis is that under certain genetic back‐ ground, exogenous and/or endogenous factors trigger autoimmunity against islet β cells in the pancreas causing β cell damage and subsequent insufficiency of insulin production [1, 2]. About two decades ago, it was first demonstrated that T cells specific to β cell antigens were activated and participated in the pathogenesis of T1D [3, 4]. A great deal of work fol‐ lowing these reports in both animal models and humans has provided convincing data fur‐ ther supporting T1D is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease. On the other hand, the evidence showing that majority of T1D patients have high titers of autoantibodies against islet β cells [5, 6] suggests that self-reactive B cells must also be involved in the autoimmune process. The role of B cells in the pathogenesis of T1D was further supported by the recent research and clinical data demonstrating B cell depletion by anti-CD20 antibodies delayed the disease process.

AIMS: To further explore the mechanisms of apoptosis in mononephrectomized rats with renal lymph circulation disorder. METHODS: Animals were divided into three groups: rats with left renal lymph ligation and right nephrectomy (KL), rats with only right nephrectomy (KN) and sham-operated rats (sham). 24-h proteinuria and serum creatinine level were monitored. Indexes of oxidative stress were measured. Renal apoptosis was examined. Further biochemical analysis was provided using real-time PCR, western blot and Elisa techniques. RESULTS: Our results showed that renal lymphatic ligation induced renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis and aggravated renal dysfunction in mononephrectomized rats. In addition, renal lymphatic ligation increased the activities of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9. Further investigation of mechanisms showed that renal lymphatic ligation up-regulated Fas expression, increased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, and also increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) while reducing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that disturbance of renal lymphatic circulation might lead to tubular epithelial cell apoptosis through activation of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, suggestive of an essential role of renal lymphatic circulation in the maintenance of tubular integrity and function.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by a chronic low-grade inflammatory state. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a critical mediator of innate immunity. Polymorphisms in TLR4 gene have been shown to be associated with impaired inflammatory response. Here, we investigated the association of TLR4 polymorphisms with T2DM. Four TLR4 polymorphisms (+986A/G, +1196C/T, +3725G/C, and +11367G/C) were genotyped in a total number of 822 T2DM patients and 835 healthy controls. Results showed that the +986A/G and +1196C/T polymorphisms did not exist in the Han Chinese population. The prevalence of TLR4 +3725GC and CC genotypes were significantly decreased in T2DM cases than in controls (odds ratio (OR) = 0.62, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.50-0.78, p = 3.48 × 10(-5), and OR = 0.36, 95 % CI = 0.22-0.59, p = 1.55 × 10(-5), respectively). Also, the frequency of TLR4 +3725C allele was significantly lower in T2DM patients (p = 2.46 × 10(-9)). When analyzing the TLR4 +11367G/C polymorphism, the +11367CC genotype revealed lower numbers in patients compared to healthy controls (OR = 0.46, 95 % CI = 0.27-0.78, p = 0.0032). Analysis of the clinical features on the control subjects demonstrated no correlations between these TLR4 polymorphisms and sex, age, body mass index, etc. (p > 0.05). In conclusion, these data indicate that TLR4 +3725G/C and +11367G/C polymorphisms may be novel protective factors against T2DM in the Chinese population.