Ruhua Chen

Pathogenesis pathways of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in bleomycin-induced lung injury model in mice

Our objective was to investigate the pathogenesis pathways of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Bleomycin (BLM) induced animal models of experimental lung fibrosis were used. CHIP assay was executed to find the link between Smad3 and IL-31, and the expressions of TGF-β1, Smad3, IL-31 and STAT1 were detected to find whether they were similar with each other. We found that in the early injury or inflammation of the animal model, BLM promoted the development of inflammation, leading to severe pulmonary fibrosis. Then the expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 increased. Activated Smad3 bound to the IL-31 promoter region, followed by the activation of JAK-STAT pathways. The inhibitor of TGF-β1 receptor decreased the IL-31 expression and knocking-down of IL-31 also decreased the STAT1 expression. We conclude that there is a pathway of pathogenesis in BLM-induced mouse model that involves the TGF-β, IL-31 and JAKs/STATs pathway.

Anticancer Activity and DNA‐Binding Investigations of the Cu(II) and Ni(II) Complexes with Coumarin Derivative

Two new copper(II) (2) and nickel(II) (3) complexes with a new coumarin derivative have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The DNA‐binding activities of the two complexes have been investigated by spectrometric titrations, ethidium bromide displacement experiments, CD (circular dichroism) spectral analysis, and viscosity measurements. The results indicate that the two complexes, especially the complex 2, can strongly bind to calf‐thymus DNA (CT‐–DNA). The intrinsic binding constants Kb of the complexes with CT‐DNA are 2.99 × 105 and 0.61 × 105 for 2 and 3, respectively. Comparative cytotoxic activities of the two complexes are also determined by MTT assay. The results show that the drugs designed here have significant cytotoxic activity against the human hepatic (HepG2), human promyelocytic leukemia (HL60), and human prostate (PC3) cell lines. Cell apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/PI flow cytometry, and the results show that the two copper complexes can induce apoptosis of the three human tumor cells. In conclusions, the two complexes show considerable cytotoxic activity against the three human cancer and induce apoptosis of the threes.

Multifunctional nanocomposite based on halloysite nanotubes for efficient luminescent bioimaging and magnetic resonance imaging

A novel multifunctional halloysite nanotube (HNT)-based Fe3O4@HNT-polyethyleneimine-Tip-Eu(dibenzoylmethane)3 nanocomposite (Fe-HNT-Eu NC) with both photoluminescent and magnetic properties was fabricated by a simple one-step hydrothermal process combined with the coupling grafting method, which exhibited high suspension stability and excellent photophysical behavior. The as-prepared multifunctional Fe-HNT-Eu NC was characterized using various techniques. The results of cell viability assay, cell morphological observation, and in vivo toxicity assay indicated that the NC exhibited excellent biocompatibility over the studied concentration range, suggesting that the obtained Fe-HNT-Eu NC was a suitable material for bioimaging and biological applications in human hepatic adenocarcinoma cells. Furthermore, the biocompatible Fe-HNT-Eu NC displayed superparamagnetic behavior with high saturation magnetization and also functioned as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent in vitro and in vivo. The results of the MRI tests indicated that the Fe-HNT-Eu NC can significantly decrease the T2 signal intensity values of the normal liver tissue and thus make the boundary between the normal liver and transplanted cancer more distinct, thus effectively improving the diagnosis effect of cancers.

DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with OSAHS

PurposeObstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is characterized by intermittent hypoxia during sleep time, followed by oxidative stress. Hypoxia-induced oxidative stress can lead to DNA damage, which is related to chromosome aberrations and micronuclei. The purpose of this study is to investigate the level of DNA damage in peripheral blood of patients with OSAHS.MethodsThirty patients with OSAHS diagnosed by polysomnography and 28 healthy volunteers were assessed by the Epworth sleepiness scale. The levels of DNA damage were investigated through the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay.ResultsIn the group of patients with OSAHS, the mean frequency of binucleated cells with micronuclei were significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01), and the frequency of micronuclei among the patients in mild, moderate, and severe stages differed significantly (P < 0.05). The mean frequency of nucleoplasmic bridge in OSAHS group was also higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment decreased the frequencies of binucleated cells with micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridge, and nuclear buds.ConclusionsOxidative DNA damage increased in peripheral blood lymphocytes of OSAHS patients. It may be related to oxidative stress induced by intermittent hypoxia and may be involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and other target organ injuries.