Characterization of cold-induced remodelling reveals depot-specific differences across and within brown and white adipose tissues in mice

AIM

Brown and beige adipose tissues dissipate energy in the form of heat via mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1, defending against hypothermia and potentially obesity. The latter has prompted renewed interest in understanding the processes involved in browning to realize the potential therapeutic benefits. To characterize the temporal profile of cold-induced changes and browning of brown and white adipose tissues in mice.

METHODS

Male C57BL/6J mice were singly housed in conventional cages under cold exposure (4 °C) for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 days. Food intake and body weight were measured daily. Interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT), inguinal subcutaneous (sWAT) and epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) were harvested for histological, immunohistochemical, gene and protein expression analysis.

RESULTS

Upon cold exposure, food intake increased, whilst body weight and adipocyte size were found to be transiently reduced. iBAT mass was found to be increased, whilst sWAT and eWAT were found to be transiently decreased. A combination of morphological, genetic (Ucp-1, Pgc-1α and Elov13) and biochemical (UCP-1, PPARγ and aP2) analyses demonstrated the depot-specific remodelling in response to cold exposure.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate the differential responses to cold-induced changes across discrete BAT and WAT depots and support the notion that the effects of short-term cold exposure are achieved by expansion, activation and increasing thermogenic capacity of iBAT, as well as browning of sWAT and, to a lesser extent, eWAT.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of Fem1b from oriental river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense

Feminization-1 homolog b (Fem1b) is one of the genes essential for male development and play central roles in sex determination of Caenorhabditis elegans. In this study, we cloned and characterized the full-length Fem1b cDNA from the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium nipponense (MnFem1b) in different tissues and at different developmental stages. Real-time quantitative reverse polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) showed that the MnFem1b gene was expressed in all investigated tissues, with the highest expression level found in the testes. The results revealed that the MnFem1b gene might play roles in aspects of development of the male prawn phenotype. The RT-qPCR also revealed that MnFem1b mRNA expression was significantly increased at 10 days after metamorphosis. The expression levels in all investigated tissues showed a certain degree of sexually dimorphism, the expression levels in males were significantly higher than those in females (P < 0.05). Notably, the highest expression of MnFem1b was found in the testes. The expression of MnFem1b in different tissues indicates that it plays multiple biological functions in M. nipponense.

Intranasal atomised dexmedetomidine optimises surgical field visualisation with decreased blood loss during endoscopic sinus surgery: a randomized study

BACKGROUND

Safe and effective endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) depends on distinct surgical visibility. Various interventions are proposed to reduce intranasal bleeding. This study investigated whether intranasal atomised dexmedetomidine (DEX) provided optimal surgical conditions and decreased blood loss.

METHODS

ASA I or II patients undergoing ESS were randomly assigned to receive either 2 μg/kg intranasal DEX (group D) or the same volume of saline (group N) 15 min before induction. Lund-Mackay (LM) scores represented the extent of the preoperative surgical lesion and were obtained based on the computed tomographic scans. Estimated blood loss was recorded. The visibility of the surgical field was rated by surgeons on a numerical rating scale (NRS) or assessed using Boezaart score.

RESULTS

Median blood loss in groups D and N was 75 and 100 ml, respectively. NRS and Boezaart score for surgical condition were lower in group D than in group N. LM score showed a positive correlation between NRS and Boezaart score in group N but not in group D.

CONCLUSION

Intranasal atomised DEX resulted in improved surgical conditions with less bleeding during ESS despite the severity of the preoperative surgical lesion.

Identification of early atherosclerotic lesions in carotid arteries with quantitative characteristics measured by 3D MRI

PURPOSE

To evaluate the usefulness of quantitative characteristics of morphology and signal intensity of arterial wall measured by 3D multicontrast magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (MRVWI) in identification of carotid early atherosclerosis (CEAS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In all, 61 older subjects (mean age 71.8 ± 5.6 years old; 25 males) without cardiovascular symptoms in the last 6 months were recruited. The carotid arteries without advanced plaque features on 3.0T MRI were included for analysis. Ultrasound imaging was used as a reference to identify CEAS. The morphological parameters including lumen area (LA), wall area (WA), wall thickness (WT), and normalized wall index (NWI = WA/[WA+LA] × 100%) and the signal intensity on 3.0T MR T₂ -weighted images (T₂ SI) of the carotid arterial wall were measured. Three regression models were built to identify CEAS with the following parameters: Model 1 with both morphological and T₂ SI parameters; Model 2 with T₂ SI parameters; and Model 3 with morphological parameters. All models were adjusted for age and sex. Area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to validate models.

RESULTS

Of the 86 carotid arteries without advanced plaques, 47 (54.7%) were found to have early plaques determined by ultrasound. Among three regression models, Model 1 showed the highest AUC values in identifying CEAS (left: AUC = 0.856, P < 0.001; right: AUC = 0.867, P < 0.001), followed by Model 2 (left: AUC = 0.843, P < 0.001; right: AUC = 0.798, P = 0.001), and Model 3 (left: AUC = 0.790, P = 0.002; right: AUC = 0.806, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The combination of morphology and normalized T₂ SI of arterial wall measured by MRVWI is more effective than each characteristic alone in identification of CEAS. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1270-1276.

Identification of androgenic gland microRNA and their target genes to discover sex-related microRNA in the oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense

The oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense, is an important aquaculture species in China. The androgenic gland produces hormones that play crucial roles in the differentiation of crustaceans to the male sex. MicroRNA (miRNA) post-transcriptionally regulates many protein-coding genes, influencing important biological and metabolic processes. However, currently, there is no published data identifying miRNA in M. nipponense. In this study, we identified novel miRNA in the androgenic gland of M. nipponense. Using the high-throughput Illumina Solexa system, 1077 miRNA were identified from small RNA libraries by aligning with the de novo androgenic gland transcriptome of M. nipponense (obtained from RNA-Seq) and the sequences in the miRBase21 database. A total of 8,248, 76,011, and 78,307 target genes were predicted in the EST and SRA sequences provided in the NCBI database, and the androgenic gland transcriptome of M. nipponense, respectively. Some potential sex-related miRNA were identified based on the function of the predicted target genes. The results of our study provide new information regarding the miRNA expression in M. nipponense, which could be the basis for further genetic studies on decapod crustaceans.

Intranasal atomised dexmedetomidine optimises surgical field visualisation with decreased blood loss during endoscopic sinus surgery: a randomized study

BACKGROUND

Safe and effective endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) depends on distinct surgical visibility. Various interventions are proposed to reduce intranasal bleeding. This study investigated whether intranasal atomised dexmedetomidine (DEX) provided optimal surgical conditions and decreased blood loss.

METHODS

ASA I or II patients undergoing ESS were randomly assigned to receive either 2 μg/kg intranasal DEX (group D) or the same volume of saline (group N) 15 min before induction. Lund-Mackay (LM) scores represented the extent of the preoperative surgical lesion and were obtained based on the computed tomographic scans. Estimated blood loss was recorded. The visibility of the surgical field was rated by surgeons on a numerical rating scale (NRS) or assessed using Boezaart score.

RESULTS

Median blood loss in groups D and N was 75 and 100 ml, respectively. NRS and Boezaart score for surgical condition were lower in group D than in group N. LM score showed a positive correlation between NRS and Boezaart score in group N but not in group D.

CONCLUSION

Intranasal atomised DEX resulted in improved surgical conditions with less bleeding during ESS despite the severity of the preoperative surgical lesion.

Acupuncture at heterotopic acupoints facilitates distal colonic motility via activating M3 receptors and somatic afferent C-fibers in normal, constipated, or diarrhoeic rats

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of somatic stimulation for patients with gastrointestinal motility disorders. However, little effort has been made to investigate the effects of acupuncture on colonic motility, particularly in pathological conditions. The precise mechanism employed in the regulation of acupuncture on colonic motility still remains unclear.

METHODS

We assessed the effect of acupuncture at heterotopic acupoints on distal colonic motility using a warm-water-filled manometric balloon inserted 5-6 cm into the rectum of anesthetized normal rats or rats with diarrhea or constipation. Choline chloride, 4-DAMP, cobra venom and capsaicin were separately applied to investigate the role of M3 receptors in the regulation of distal colonic motility by acupuncture at heterotopic acupoints, and whether Aδ- and/or C-fibers are required for triggering distal colonic motility by acupuncture.

KEY RESULTS

Acupuncture at heterotopic acupoints increased distal colonic motility not only in normal rats but also in rats with constipation or diarrhea. M3 receptors play an important role in the facilitation of distal colonic motility triggered by acupuncture at heterotopic acupoints. Afferent nerve Aδ- and C-fibers mediate the transduction of the acupuncture signal and C-fibers are essential for enhancing the effect of acupuncture at the heterotopic acupoint on distal colonic motility.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Our results reveal that acupuncture at heterotopic acupoints increases distal colonic motility regardless of normal or pathological conditions via predominately activating C-fibers of somatic afferent nerve and M3 receptors.

AT1 receptor blockade in the central nucleus of the amygdala attenuates the effects of muscimol on sodium and water intake

The blockade of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) with the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol significantly reduces hypertonic NaCl and water intake by sodium-depleted rats. In the present study we investigated the effects of previous injection of losartan, an angiotensin II type-1 (AT1) receptor antagonist, into the CeA on 0.3M NaCl and water intake reduced by muscimol bilaterally injected into the same areas in rats submitted to water deprivation-partial rehydration (WD-PR) and in rats treated with the diuretic furosemide (FURO). Male Sprague-Dawley rats with stainless steel cannulas bilaterally implanted into the CeA were used. Bilateral injections of muscimol (0.2 nmol/0.5 μl, n=8 rats/group) into the CeA in WD-PR-treated rats reduced 0.3M NaCl intake and water intake, and pre-treatment of the CeA with losartan (50 μg/0.5 μl) reversed the inhibitory effect of muscimol. The negative effect of muscimol on sodium and water intake could also be blocked by pretreatment with losartan microinjected into the CeA in rats given FURO (n=8 rats/group). However, bilateral injections of losartan (50 μg/0.5 μl) alone into the CeA did not affect the NaCl or water intake. These results suggest that the deactivation of CeA facilitatory mechanisms by muscimol injection into the CeA is promoted by endogenous angiotensin II acting on AT1 receptors in the CeA, which prevents rats from ingesting large amounts of hypertonic NaCl and water.

Genomic cloning, expression, and single nucleotide polymorphism association analysis of the insulin-like androgenic gland hormone gene in the oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense)

Increasing evidence suggests that the insulin-like androgenic gland hormone (IAG) gene plays an important role in male sexual differentiation, metabolism, and growth in crustaceans. In the present study, we isolated the full-length genome sequence of IAG by genome walking based on the cDNA sequence in Macrobrachium nipponense. Four novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were studied, including 509G>T, 529G>T, 590A>T in intron 1, and 2226A>G in intron 2. The association of genetic variation with growth traits [body length (BL) and body weight (BW)] was analyzed. Individuals with GG geno- type at locus 2226A>G maintained higher mean BL (P < 0.01) and BW (P < 0.05) than AA and GA individuals. These results suggest that IAG SNPs may be useful molecular markers for selecting growth traits in M. nipponense.

Molecular cloning, characterization, and expression analysis of a Broad-Complex homolog during development in the oriental river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense

Broad-Complex (BR-C) is an early ecdysone-responsive gene encoding a family of zinc-finger transcription factors. In this study, we isolated the full-length cDNA of a BR-C homolog from the testes of the oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense), according to established expressed sequence tag information, using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends technique. The homolog was designated as MnBR-C. The full-length cDNA of MnBR-C contained a 1095-bp open reading frame encoding a precursor protein of 365 amino acid residues. Comparative and bioinformatic analyses revealed that MnBR-C exhibited a high degree of homology with BR-C proteins, and contained the BTB and Zf-H2C2-2 domains. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis revealed that the MnBR-C expression level varied significantly in the developing embryo, postembryonic larva, and adult tissue. Real-time qPCR showed that the MnBR-C gene was expressed in all of the tissues investigated, with the highest level of expression in the brain. In addition, MnBR-C was more abundantly expressed in the testes than in the ovaries.

Gene expression profile analysis of testis and ovary of oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense, reveals candidate reproduction-related genes

This study utilized high-throughput RNA sequencing technology to identify reproduction- and development-related genes of Macrobrachium nipponense by analyzing gene expression profiles of testis and ovary. More than 20 million 1 x 51-bp reads were obtained by Illumina sequencing, generating more than 7.7 and 11.7 million clean reads in the testis and ovary library, respectively. As a result, 10,018 unitags were supposed to be differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between ovary and testis. Compared to the ovary library, 4563 (45.5%) of these DEGs exhibited at least 6-fold upregulated expression, while 5455 (54.5%) DEGs exhibited at least 2-fold downregulated expression in the testis. The Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed that 113 GO terms had potential molecular functions in reproduction. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes results revealed that the most important pathways may be relevant to reproduction and included 7 pathways. Forty-two genes were identified as reproduction-, development-, and sex-related genes based on GO classification and sequence comparison with other publications, including male reproductive-related LIM protein, spermatogenesis-associated protein, gametocyte-specific factor 1, VASA-like protein, vitellogenin, sex-determining protein fem-1, and other potential candidates. These results will advance research in the field of molecular genetics in M. nipponense and offer a valuable resource for further research related to reproduction in crustaceans.

Natriorexigenic effect of DAMGO is decreased by blocking AT1 receptors in the central nucleus of the amygdala

μ-Opioid receptor (μ-OR) activation with agonist [D-Ala², N-Me-Phe⁴, Gly⁵-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO) in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) induces sodium (0.3M NaCl) intake in rats. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of pre-injections of losartan (AT1 angiotensin receptor antagonist) into the CeA on 0.3 M NaCl and water intake induced by DAMGO injected bilaterally in the same area in rats submitted to water deprivation-partial rehydration (WD-PR) and in rats treated with the diuretic furosemide (FURO) combined with a low dose of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril (CAP) injected subcutaneously (FURO/CAP). Male Sprague-Dawley rats with stainless steel cannulas implanted bilaterally into the CeA were used. In WD-PR rats, bilateral injections of DAMGO (2 nmol in 0.5 μL) into the CeA induced 0.3 M NaCl and water intake, and pre-treatment with losartan (108 nmol in 0.5 μL) injected into the CeA reduced 0.3 M NaCl and water intake induced by DAMGO. In FURO/CAP rats, pre-treatment with losartan (108 nmol in 0.5 μL) injected into the CeA attenuated the increase in 0.3M NaCl and water intake induced by DAMGO (2 nmol in 0.5 μL) injected into the same site. The results suggest that the natriorexigenic effect of DAMGO injected into the CeA is facilitated by endogenous angiotensin II acting on AT1 receptors in the CeA, which drives rats to ingest large amounts of hypertonic NaCl.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of two sex-lethal homolog genes during development in the oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense

In this study, two Sxl gene homologs, designated as Mnsxl1 and Mnsxl2, were cloned and characterized from the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium nipponense by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The deduced amino acid sequences of Mnsxl1 and Mnsxl2 showed high sequence homology to the insect Sxl and contained conserved domains in two RNA-binding motifs. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-QPCR) showed that the Mnsxl1 and Mnsxl2 genes were expressed in all investigated tissues, with the highest level of expression in the intestine and liver. RT-QPCR also revealed that Mnsxl1 and Mnsxl2 mRNAs expressions were both significantly increased at 5 and 20 days post-larvae after metamorphosis. Thus, the results of the present study imply that Mnsxl1 and Mnsxl2 play complex and important roles in the sex differentiation of M. nipponense.

Oral administration of lactoferrin attenuates intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

BACKGROUND

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is a common and serious clinical condition. Lactoferrin (Lf) has displayed antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities in protecting the intestinal mucosa. The objective of this study was to investigate whether oral administration of Lf could attenuate I/R-induced intestinal injury.

METHODS

The experimental design consisted of three groups of Wistar rats (24 per group): sham operation, control (I/R, saline), Lf (I/R, Lf). Intestinal I/R was produced by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery for 45 min. Eight rats from each group were randomly sacrificed 3, 12 or 36 h after reperfusion, and blood and intestinal samples were collected.

RESULTS

Intestinal I/R resulted in gut damage evidenced by morphological alteration, reduction of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GGT) activity and increased cell apoptosis. Daily administration of Lf (200 mg/kg) for 14 days before surgery significantly attenuated gut damage by reducing the histologic score and apoptosis index, and restoring intestinal γ-GGT activity. Lf reduced intestinal malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase, restored glutathione and decreased serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 compared with saline control in I/R rats. In addition, oral administration of Lf did not produce any significant effects in healthy rats; Lf at doses of 50 or 100 mg/kg also attenuated I/R-induced gut damage, but administration of Lf for 7 days did not exert a significant protective effect against I/R-induced gut damage.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that Lf may serve as a potent supplement in protecting the gut from intestinal I/R-induced injury by its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic activities.

ABT-737 Synergizes with Arsenic Trioxide to Induce Apoptosis of Gastric Carcinoma Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the potential synergistic effects of two inducers of apoptosis: the small molecule ABT-737 and arsenic trioxide (ATO). METHODS: Human gastric carcinoma cell lines SGC-7901 and MGC-803 were used to determine the effects of ABT-737 and ATO (alone or in combination) on cell proliferation and apoptosis in vitro. In vivo effects of these drugs were investigated in SGC-7901 solid tumours, grown in immunodeficient mice. RESULTS: ABT-737 and ATO inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells in concentration- and time-dependent manners, and showed a synergistic effect. ABT-737 disturbed the binding of B cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2 homologous antagonist killer and Bcl-extra large; ATO downregulated myeloid cell leukaemia (Mcl)-1 protein and upregulated Mcl-1short, the short splicing variant. ABT-737 and ATO significantly suppressed SGC-7901 xenograft growth, synergistically inhibited tumour growth and induced apoptosis in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preclinical evidence that ABT-737 and ATO synergize to induce apoptosis of gastric carcinoma cells, suggesting that further investigation of these agents (as potential treatments for gastric cancer) is warranted.

Multiple intraoperative monitoring-assisted microneurosurgical treatment for anterior circulation cerebral aneurysm

This study investigated the efficacy of multiple intraoperative monitoring techniques including indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) and motor evoked potential (MEP) in the clinical outcome of microneurosurgical treatment for anterior circulation cerebral aneurysm. Fifty-two anterior circulation cerebral aneurysms (Hunt and Hess [H&H] grades 0, 1 or 2) from 45 Chinese in-patients were completely clipped. In one patient, ICGA directed neurosurgeons to readjust aneurysmal clips in order to eliminate a residual aneurysm and restore patency of a branching artery. SSEP/MEP directed neurosurgeons to implement intervention measures in 12 patients for recovery of SSEP/MEP changes, and SSEP/MEP changes partially/totally recovered in 11 of these 12 patients (91.6%). Postoperative motor deficits were observed in three patients, two of which were Glasgow Outcome Scale level 3 (4.4%). In conclusion, for patients with anterior circulation cerebral aneurysm (H&H grade < 3), multiple intraoperative monitoring was beneficial for finding residual aneurysms, detecting ischaemic events in the perforating arteries and reducing severe postoperative motor deficiency.

Ginsenoside Rg1 restores the impairment of learning induced by chronic morphine administration in rats

Rg1, as a ginsenoside extracted from Panax ginseng, could ameliorate spatial learning impairment. Previous studies have demonstrated that Rg1 might be a useful agent for the prevention and treatment of the adverse effects of morphine. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Rg1 on learning impairment by chronic morphine administration and the mechanism responsible for this effect. Male rats were subcutaneously injected with morphine (10 mg/kg) twice a day at 12 hour intervals for 10 days, and Rg1 (30 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected 2 hours after the second injection of morphine once a day for 10 days. Spatial learning capacity was assessed in the Morris water maze. The results showed that rats treated with Morphine/Rg1 decreased escape latency and increased the time spent in platform quadrant and entering frequency. By implantation of electrodes and electrophysiological recording in vivo, the results showed that Rg1 restored the long-term potentiation (LTP) impaired by morphine in both freely moving and anaesthetised rats. The electrophysiological recording in vitro showed that Rg1 restored the LTP in slices from the rats treated with morphine, but not changed LTP in the slices from normal saline- or morphine/Rg1-treated rats; this restoration could be inhibited by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK801. We conclude that Rg1 may significantly improve the spatial learning capacity impaired by chonic morphine administration and restore the morphine-inhibited LTP. This effect is NMDA receptor dependent.

Glycyrrhizin attenuates endotoxin- induced acute liver injury after partial hepatectomy in rats

Massive hepatectomy associated with infection induces liver dysfunction, or even multiple organ failure and death. Glycyrrhizin has been shown to exhibit anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether glycyrrhizin could attenuate endotoxin-induced acute liver injury after partial hepatectomy. Male Wistar rats (6 to 8 weeks old, weighing 200-250 g) were randomly assigned to three groups of 24 rats each: sham, saline and glycyrrhizin. Rats were injected intravenously with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 24 h after 70% hepatectomy. Glycyrrhizin, pre-administered three times with 24 h intervals 48 h before hepatectomy, prolonged the survival of rats submitted to partial hepatectomy and LPS injection, compared with saline controls. Glycyrrhizin was shown to attenuate histological hepatic changes and significantly reduced serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactic dehydrogenase, at all the indicated times (6 rats from each were sacrificed 1, 3, 6, and 9 h after LPS injection), compared with saline controls. Glycyrrhizin also significantly inhibited hepatocyte apoptosis by down-regulating the expression of caspase-3 and inhibiting the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria into the cytoplasm. The anti-inflammatory activity of glycyrrhizin may rely on the inhibition of release of tumor necrosis factor-a, myeloperoxidase activity, and translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B into the nuclei. Glycyrrhizin also up-regulated the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, implying that it might be able to promote regeneration of livers harmed by LPS. In summary, glycyrrhizin may represent a potent drug protecting the liver against endotoxin-induced injury, especially after massive hepatectomy.