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The aims of this meta-analysis were to evaluate the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on inflammatory mediators including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by analyzing published randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A systematic search in PubMed, Cochrane Library and Clinicaltrials.gov was performed to identify eligible RCTs. Data synthesis was performed using a random- or a fixed-effects model depending on the results of heterogeneity tests, and pooled data were displayed as weighed mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Seventeen RCTs were selected for the meta-analysis. CoQ10 supplementation significantly reduced the levels of circulating CRP (WMD: -0.35mg/L, 95% CI: -0.64 to -0.05, P=0.022), IL-6 (WMD: -1.61pg/mL, 95% CI: -2.64 to -0.58, P=0.002) and TNF-α (WMD: -0.49pg/mL, 95% CI: -0.93 to -0.06, P=0.027). The results of meta-regression showed that the changes of CRP were independent of baseline CRP, treatment duration, dosage, and patients characteristics. In the meta-regression analyses, a higher baseline IL-6 level was significantly associated with greater effects of CoQ10 on IL-6 levels (P for interaction=0.006). In conclusion, this meta-analysis of RCTs suggests significant lowering effects of CoQ10 on CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α. However, results should be interpreted with caution because of the evidence of heterogeneity and limited number of studies.

To explore the the optimal condition for establishing immune deficiency mouse(BALB/c) model with CLL via subcutaneous inoculation of human chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells at different inoculative locations and different cell concentrations.Firstly, Two CLL cell lines (MEC-1-GFP and HG3-GFP)with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) were established by lentivirus system respectively, and then the MEC-1-GFP cells (5×10MEC-1-GFP and HG3-GFP cell lines were successfully established, and after inocutation of MEC-1-GFP cells with 5×10The BALB/c nude mouse model is successfully established by subcutaneous injection of MEC-1-GFP and HG3-GFP cells. This model is a useful tool to explore the pathogenic mechanism.

A rapid real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on Taqman technique has been developed for the qualitative analysis of pork in high temperature processed food. Specific primers and probe were designed to the conserved region of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, amplifying a 98bp fragment. Speciation was achieved using this assay, showing no cross-amplification with cattle, sheep, chicken and duck DNA while Ct (cycle threshold) of PCR for negative sample was limited to 35 cycles. This assay was sensitive to detect 1pg of pork template DNA. Meat mixtures spiked with 1-10% pork were successfully tested, which demonstrated the suitability of the assay for determination of swine-derived ingredient in food. The system is highly sensitive and specific, and will be useful for swine species identification of animal-derived processed products.

Biological monitoring for arsenic(As) is usually based upon a determination of urine, blood, nail and hair arsenic concentration, however, saliva has been suggested as a non-invasive biological matrix for assessing exposure. To further evaluate the potential utility of saliva for arsenic biomonitoring, Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry(AFS-230) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) were used to evaluate the concentration of arsenic in drinking water, saliva and urine in endemic arsenicosis area in Shanyin County of Shanxi Province. The results showed that the arsenic concentration in drinking water was 0.55-720.0ug/L, and there were 66.67% samples above the arsenic level (50μg/L) of standards for drinking water quality. The median value of arsenic in drinking water was 127.22 μg/L. The salivary and urinary arsenic both can reflect the exposure of arsenic in drinking water. Additionally, there was a significant positive association of salivary arsenic compared with arsenic in drinking water (r=0.674, P

This study was designed to construct and identify the subtracted cDNA library in peripheral blood cells of BALB/c mice and tracheal-bronchial epithelial cells of Wistar rats following exposure to radon inhalation. Two groups of the animals were exposed in a radon chamber at an accumulative dose of 100 WLM, while control animals were housed in a room at a background dose of 1 WLM. To construct a subtracted cDNA library enriched with differentially expressed genes, the SMART technique and suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) assay were performed. The obtained forward and reverse cDNA fragments were directly inserted into a pMD-18 vector and transformed into Escherichia coli JM109. In total, 593 white bacterial clones were selected from both forward- and reverse-subtracted libraries. Among them, 81 clones were chosen for their differential expressions based on reverse Northern blot. Portions of these cDNA clones were also verified by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The screening resulted in 14 upregulative and 8 downregulative known function/annotation genes, which were revealed to be functionally related to cell proliferation, cell oxidative and DNA damage, apoptosis, and tumor promotion. Access numbers were obtained from the GenBank for 11 unknown expressed sequence tags (EST). Analysis of biological roles of these cDNA fragments may provide further insight into mechanisms underlying adverse molecular events induced by high-dose radon exposure.

Objective Dietary fiber consumption is associated with reduced risk for the development of noncommunicable diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of cereal dietary fiber on the levels of proteins involved in lipolysis and thermogenesis in white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) of C57 BL/6 J mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Methods Male C57BL/6 J mice were fed normal chow diet (Chow), HFD, HFD plus oat fiber (H-oat), or HFD plus wheat bran fiber (H-wheat) for 24 wk. Body weight and food intake were recorded weekly. Serum adiponectin was assayed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Western blotting was used to assess the protein expressions of adipose triacylglycerol lipase (ATGL), cAMP protein kinase catalytic subunit (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), perilipin A, hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21), β3-adrenergic receptor (β3AR), and proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 α (PGC-1 α) in the WAT and BAT. Results At the end of the feeding period, body and adipose tissues weight in both H-oat and H-wheat groups were lower than in the HFD group. Mice in the H-oat and H-wheat groups showed an increasing trend in serum adiponectin level. Compared with the HFD group, cereal dietary fiber increased protein expressions involved in the lipolysis and browning process. Compared with the H-wheat group, H-oat was more effective in protein expressions of PKA, PGC-1 α, and UCP1 of the WAT samples. Compared with the H-oat group, H-wheat was more effective in protein expressions of PKA, ATGL, UCP1, β3AR, and FGF-21 of the BAT samples. Conclusions Taken together, our results suggested that cereal dietary fiber enhanced adipocyte lipolysis by the cAMP–PKA–HSL pathway and promoted WAT browning by activation of UCP1, and consequently reduced visceral fat mass in response to HFD feeding.

The special DnaJ-like protein gene of Cryptosporidium parvum was amplified through designing special primers and TaqMan probes within the conserved and specific regions for this gene. method of real-time PCR assay for the detection of C. parvum was established. The specificity and sensitivity of PCR were also analyzed. By adding standard culture fluid in blank fecal sample, the sensitivity of the method was evaluated. The results showed that the detection limit of pure culture with real-time PCR assay was 26 oocysts/ml. The detection limit for C. parvum in artificially contaminated fecal sample was 2 600 oocysts/ml. The specificity of the method was verified with no amplification on DNA from other enteric parasites and bacteria. These results indicated that the real-time PCR method for C. parvum detection in fecal sample is simple, rapid, with high specificity and sensitivity.

To explore the roles of H1 and H2 receptors in the locus ceruleus (LC) in the carotid baroreflex (CBR) resetting resulted from foot-shock stress.Male SD rats were divided into two groups (n=18) at random: unstressed and stressed group. The latter were subjected to unavoidable electric foot-shock twice daily for a week and each session of foot-shock lasted 2 hours. The left and right carotid sinus regions were isolated from the systemic circulation in all animals anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium. The intracarotid sinus pressure (ISP) was altered in a stepwise manner in vivo. ISP-mean arterial pressure (MAP), ISP-Gain relationship curves and reflex characteristic parameters were constructed by fitting to the logistic function with five parameters. The changes in CBR performance induced by stress and the effects of microinjection with histaminergic receptors antagonists into the LC on the responses of CBR to stress were examined.Stress significantly shifted the ISP-MAP relationship curve upwards (P0.05) and obviously moved the middle part of ISP-Gain relationship curve downwards (P0.05), and decreased the value of the MAP range and maximum gain (P0.05), but increased the threshold pressure, saturation pressure, set point and ISP at maximum gain (P0.05). Microinjection of selective H1 or H2 receptor antagonist, chlorpheniramine (CHL, 0.5 microg/microl) or cimetidine (CIM, 1.5 microg/microl) into the LC, significantly attenuated the above-mentioned changes in CBR performance induced by stress and the alleviate effect of CIM was less remarkable than that of CHL (P0.05). The responses of CBR under stress to H1 or H2 receptor antagonist generally occurred 20 min after the administration and lasted approximately for 16 min. Microinjection with the same dose of CHL or CIM into the LC in the unstressed group did not change CBR performance significantly (P0.05). However, microinjection of CHL or CIM into the LC could not completely abolish the stress-induced changes in CBR.The stress results in a resetting of CBR and a decrease in reflex sensitivity. The stress-induced changes in CBR may be mediated, at least in part, by activating the brain histaminergic system. The H1 and H2 receptors in the LC, especially, Hi receptors may play an important role in the resetting of CBR under stress. The descending histaminergic pathway from the hypothalamus to LC may be involved in these effects. Moreover, the effects of stress on CBR also have other mechanisms.

A variety of phenyl alkyl sulfides were oxidized enantioselectively with NaIO4 in chiral micellar systems formed from eight chiral surfactants, to give optical active sulfoxides. The enantiomer excesses ranged from 1.6 to 15.0%. To understand the mechanistic detail of this asymmetric oxidation in chiral micelle, the effects of structure both in substrates and surfactants on the optical yield of the oxidation were studied and discussed. Generally, increasing the alkyl chain length both in surfactants and in substrates enhances the optical yield, also the surfactant with hydroxy group at its appropriate position gives better enantioselectivity, suggesting the enzymic characteristics of the chiral micelle.

Despite the significance of oxidative damage in carcinogenesis, the molecular mechanisms that lead to increased susceptibility to oxidative stress are not well understood. We now report a link between loss of protection against oxidative damage and loss of function of PTEN, a highly mutated tumor suppressor gene in a variety of human tumors. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, combined with Western and Northern blot analyses, we found that PTEN deficiency in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) displays deregulated expression of several antioxidant enzymes, including peroxiredoxins 1, 2, 5, and 6 and Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase. In these Pten-deleted MEFs, the basal levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were increased, and both the basal level and the ROS-induced oxidative damage of DNA were increased, as evidenced by increased levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, and DNA double-strand breaks. We further show that Pten deletion is correlated with resistance to H2O2-induced expression of several antioxidants. These findings suggest an essential role for PTEN in maintaining the normal redox state of mouse embryonic fibroblasts against oxidative damage. They also provide a molecular link between PTEN, whose inactivation is known to be involved in a variety of human tumors, and antioxidants, whose perturbation leads to oxidative damage of cells.

This study was designed to screen for differential expression genes in bone marrow cells of mice exposed to radon inhalation. Based upon established pathological findings in mouse, differential screening of gene expressions was conducted by using the SSH method. Among 285 cDNA clones selected from both forward- and reverse subtracted libraries, 45 were chosen for their differential expressions based on reverse Northern blot and quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Of these, up-regulation of the mRNA levels of E-cadherin and down-regulation of the replication protein A1 (RPA1) and casein kinase 1 delta (CKI delta) were also verified by a quantitative real-time PCR. Biological roles of these obtained cDNAs are described and the results of the screening may provide important clues for further investigations of the adverse molecular events induced by radon exposure.

The aim of this study was to observe and compare the endogenous circadian rhythm and photoresponse of Clock gene transcription in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and pineal gland (PG) of rats. With free access to food and water in special darkrooms, Sprague-Dawley rats were housed under the light regime of constant darkness (DD) for 8 weeks (n=36) or 12 hour-light: 12 hour-dark cycle (LD) for 4 weeks (n=36), respectively. Then, their SCN and PG were dissected out every 4 h in a circadian day, 6 rats at each time (n=6). All animal treatments and sampling during the dark phases were conducted under red dim light (0.1 lux). The total RNA was extracted from each sample and the semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to determine the temporal mRNA changes of Clock gene in the SCN and PG at different circadian times (CT) or zeitgeber times (ZT). The grayness ratio of Clock/H3.3 bands was served as the relative estimation of Clock gene expression. The experimental data were analyzed by the Cosine method and the Clock Lab software to fit original results measured at 6 time points and to simulate a circadian rhythmic curve which was then examined for statistical difference by the amplitude F test. The main results are as follows: (1) The mRNA levels of Clock gene in the SCN under DD regime displayed the circadian oscillation (P0.05). The endogenous rhythmic profiles of Clock gene transcription in the PG were similar to those in the SCN (P0.05) throughout the day with the peak at the subjective night (CT15 in the SCN or CT18 in the PG) and the trough during the subjective day (CT3 in the SCN or CT6 in the PG). (2) Clock gene transcription in the SCN under LD cycle also showed the circadian oscillation (P0.05), and the rhythmic profile was anti-phasic to that under DD condition (P0.05). The amplitude and the mRNA level at the peak of Clock gene transcription in the SCN under LD were significantly increased compared with that under DD (P0.05), while the value of corresponding rhythmic parameters in the PG under LD were remarkably decreased (P0.05). (3) Under LD cycle, the circadian profiles of Clock gene transcription induced by light in the PG were quite different from those in the SCN (P0.05). Their Clock transcription rhythms were anti-phasic, i.e., showing peaks at the light phase ZT10 in the SCN or at the dark time ZT17 in the PG and troughs during the dark time ZT22 in the SCN or during the light phase ZT5 in the PG. The findings of the present study indicate a synchronous endogenous nature of the Clock gene circadian transcriptions in the SCN and PG, and different roles of light regime in modulating the circadian transcriptions of Clock gene in these two central nuclei.