Zai-Long Chi

Effect of Berberine on Barrier Function in a Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Line

PurposeTo examine the effects of berberine, an alkaloid isolated from some medicinal herbs, on the disruption of the barrier function in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) stimulated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β).MethodsARPE-19 cells were cultured to confluence. Berberine and IL-1β were added to the medium. Barrier functions were evaluated by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and the permeability to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and sodium fluorescein (SF).ResultsBerberine dose-dependently inhibited decreased TER and increased the permeability to HRP and SF in the cells stimulated with IL-1β.ConclusionsBerberine dose-dependently inhibited the disruption of the barrier function in the ARPE-19 cell line induced by IL-1β. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2007;51:64–67

Effect of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) on IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 expression in human retinal pigment epithelial cell line.

Purpose: To examine pituitary adenylate cyclase–activating polypeptide (PACAP) receptors (PAC1, VPAC1, and VPAC2) mRNA and the effect of PACAP on interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) stimulated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Methods: Expression of PACAP receptor mRNA was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). PACAP and IL-1β were added to serum-free medium. IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 mRNA were measured by real-time PCR. IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 protein concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) translocation was examined by immunofluorescence. Results: PAC1 and VCAP1 receptors mRNA were expressed in unstimulated cells. VCAP2 mRNA was expressed in cells stimulated with IL-1β. IL-1β stimulated IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 mRNA expression and protein levels. PACAP (10− 7 to 10− 6 M) inhibited IL-1β –stimulated IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 mRNA and protein levels. Immunofluorescence of NF-κB in the nucleus was dense 30 min after stimulation with IL-1β, and it was decreased by PACAP. Conclusions: ARPE-19 cells had PACAP receptors mRNA. PACAP inhibited IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 expression and protein secretion. Possibly, the effect on cytokines may be via suppression of NF-κB translocation.

Effect of Berberine on Interleukin 8 and Monocyte Chemotactic Protein 1 Expression in a Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Line

Purpose: The aims of this study were to examine the effects of berberine, an alkaloid isolated from some medicinal herbs, on interleukin 8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) expression in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) stimulated with interleukin 1β (IL-1β) or tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Methods: ARPE-19 cells were cultured to confluence. Berberine and IL-1β or TNF-α were added to the medium. IL-8 mRNA and MCP-1 mRNA were measured by semiquantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and real-time polymerase chain reaction. IL-8 and MCP-1 protein concentrations in the media were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Berberine dose-dependently inhibited IL-8 mRNA and MCP-1 mRNA expression of the cells and protein levels in the media stimulated with IL-1β or TNF-α. Conclusion: These findings indicate that berberine dose-dependently inhibited the expression of IL-8 and MCP-1 induced by IL-1β or TNF-α.

Effect of N-Acetylcysteine on Lipopolysaccharide- Induced Uveitis in Rats

PurposeIn this study we investigated the in vivo effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced uveitis in rats.MethodsTo induce uveitis, LPS (100 µg) was injected into subcutaneous tissue of Wistar rats (170–190 g). NAC was injected intraperitoneally. Intracameral levels of protein, cells, nitrite, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6 were determined by spectrophotometry, hemocytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of TNF-α, IL-6, endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (E-selectin), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction.ResultsLPS injection elevated intracameral protein and cells, and the elevation was inhibited by NAC. LPS injection induced expression of TNF-α, IL-6, E-selectin, and ICAM-1 mRNA in the iris/ciliary body at 3 h, and iNOS mRNA at 6 h. The LPS-induced elevation of the mRNA levels was inhibited by NAC. NAC inhibited LPS-induced intracameral elevation of TNF-α, IL-6, and nitrite.ConclusionNAC decreased LPS-induced uveitis in vivo by reducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2007;51:14–20

Effect of Berberine on Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 and Cytokine-Induced Neutrophil Chemoattractant-1 Expression in Rat Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Uveitis

Purpose: The aims of this study were to examine the in vivo effects of berberine, an alkaloid isolated from some medicinal herbs, on monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1) expression in rat lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced uveitis. Methods: LPS was injected intraperitoneally. Berberine was orally administered. MCP-1 mRNA and CINC-1 mRNA were measured by semiquantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and real-time polymerase chain reaction. MCP-1 and CINC-1 protein concentration in the aqueous humor were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histopathologic study was performed in the anterior ocular segments. Results: Berberine dose-dependently inhibited LPS-induced MCP-1 mRNA and CINC-1 mRNA expression of the iris-ciliary body. The alkaloid inhibited chemokines, protein and cell levels in the aqueous humor in rats stimulated with LPS. On histopathologic study, the inflammatory cell infiltration was diminished by the berberine treatment. Conclusions: These findings indicate that berberine dose-dependently inhibited the expression of MCP-1 and CINC-1 induced by LPS and diminished the anterior uveitis.

Effect of Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone on Interleukin 8 and Monocyte Chemotactic Protein 1 Expression in a Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Line

Purpose: To examine melanocortin receptor (from MC-1 to MC-5) mRNA and the effect of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) on interleukin 8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) expression in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) stimulated with IL-1β or tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Methods: Expressions of MC-1 to MC-5 mRNA were examined by semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). α-MSH and IL-1β or TNF-α were added to serum-free medium. IL-8 and MCP-1 mRNA were measured by real-time PCR. IL-8 and MCP-1 protein concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Nuclear factor ĸB (NF-ĸB) translocation was examined by immunofluorescent staining/microscopy. Results: MC-1 to MC-5 receptor mRNA was expressed in unstimulated cells. IL-1β stimulated IL-8 and MCP-1 mRNA at 6 h. TNF-α stimulated IL-8 and MCP-1 mRNA expression at 1.5 and 3 h. α-MSH (10–14 to 10–10M) inhibited IL-8 and MCP-1 mRNA expression in the cells stimulated with IL-1β or TNF-α. α-MSH inhibited IL-1β or TNF-α-stimulated IL-8 and MCP-1 protein levels in the media. Immunofluorescent staining/microscopy of NF-ĸB in the nucleus was dense 30 min after stimulation with IL-1β or TNF-α and was decreased by α-MSH. Conclusions: ARPE-19 cells had MC-1 mRNA. α-MSH inhibited IL-8 and MCP-1 expression and protein secretion. Possibly, the effect on chemotactic factors may be via suppression of NF-ĸB translocation.

Vitreous Chemokines and Sho (Zheng in Chinese) of Chinese-Korean-Japanese Medicine in Patients with Diabetic Vitreoretinopathy

We examined the levels of vitreous chemokines and Sho (Zheng in Chinese) of Chinese-Korean-Japanese medicine in diabetic patients. Patients undergoing vitrectomy were classified into Group 1 (no diabetic retinopathy), Group 2 (diabetic retinopathy with no or a few new vessels), and Group 3 (diabetic retinopathy with many new vessels). The levels of IL-8, MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES in the vitreous fluid were measured using cytometric bead array method. Sho was determined by the standard diagnostic method of Chinese-Korean-Japanese medicine. Vitreous levels of IL-8 and MCP-1 in Groups 2 and 3 were higher than those in Group 1. MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES levels in Groups 2 and 3 were almost the same as those in Group 1. The percentage of patients with Keishibukuryo-gan (Guizhifuling-wan in Chinese) sho in Group 3 was higher than that in Group 1. In conclusion, vitreous levels of IL-8 and MCP-1 were high in patients with diabetic vitreoretinopathy. Keishibukuryo-gan sho may be associated with diabetic vitreoretinopathy.

Appointment of New Section Editors

Pinar Aydin O’Dwyer, Professor of Ophthalmology and neuroophthalmologist, is a member of the Advisory Committee and Assessment Committee and Head of the Ethics Subcommittee of the International Council of Ophthalmology. She serves as Executive Board Member and Treasurer of the Turkish Board of Ophthalmology and General Secretary of the Postgraduate and Continuing Education Committee. Since 2000 she has been Program Secretary of the Scientific Section for Neuroophthalmology of the European Association for Vision and Eye Research (EVER); since 2002 she has been a Regional Representative on the EVER Board and is currently the treasurer of EVER. She has held conferences, and organized and given courses in America, Europe, Asia and Africa. She has authored approximately 150 scientific publications in peer-reviewed ophthalmology journals and edited seven books in ophthalmology. Since 2004 she has served on the Editorial Board of Ophthalmic Research . Ophthalmic Research is pleased to announce the appointment of new section editors for the field of Neuroophthalmology and Glaucoma. In addition, a new section – Clinical Retina – is introduced to manage the growing number of submissions in this field. Section editors have important duties and are responsible for guiding a submission through the peer review process. They are assigned to a particular article and are responsible for selecting reviewers for that submission, communicating with the authors and reviewers throughout the process, making a decision in favor of acceptance or rejection, and finally managing the successful papers through the editing process. Drs. Aydin (Neuroophthalmology) and Wiedemann (Clinical Retina) have already served as board members of Ophthalmic Research . Dr. Orgül (Glaucoma) begins his tenure on the board this year. We hope to continue the success of the journal and to provide useful information to the medical and scientific communities. At the same time, I personally would also like to thank Drs. Tsukahara and van den Berg for their time and commitment as section editors for many years. Uwe Pleyer, Editor-in-Chief Published online: December 11, 2006