Intraperitoneal Injection Of Cyclophosphamide Research Articles

Effect of Cinnamaldehyde on Systemic Candida albicans Infection in Mice.

To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of cinnamaldehyde (CA) on systemic Candida albicans infection in mice and to provide supportive data for the development of novel antifungal drugs. Ninety BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups according to a random number table: CA treatment group, fluconazole (positive control) group, and Tween saline (negative control) group, with 30 mice in each group. Initially, all groups of mice received consecutive intraperitoneal injections of cyclophosphamide at 200 mg/kg for 2 days, followed by intraperitoneal injection of 0.25 mL C. albicans fungal suspension (concentration of 1.0 × 107 CFU/mL) on the 4th day, to establish an immunosuppressed systemic Candida albicans infection animal model. Subsequently, the mice were orally administered CA, fluconazole and Tween saline, at 240, 240 mg/kg and 0.25 mL/kg respectively for 14 days. After a 48-h discontinuation of treatment, the liver, small intestine, and kidney tissues of mice were collected for fungal direct microscopic examination, culture, and histopathological examination. Additionally, renal tissues from each group of mice were collected for (1,3)- β -D-glucan detection. The survival status of mice in all groups was monitored for 14 days of drug administration. The CA group exhibited a fungal clearance rate of C. albicans above 86.7% (26/30), significantly higher than the fluconazole group (60.0%, 18/30, P<0.01) and the Tween saline group (30.0%, 9/30, P<0.01). Furthermore, histopathological examination in the CA group revealed the disappearance of inflammatory cells and near-normal restoration of tissue structure. The (1,3)-β-D-glucan detection value in the CA group (860.55 ± 126.73 pg/mL) was significantly lower than that in the fluconazole group (1985.13 ± 203.56 pg/mL, P<0.01) and the Tween saline group (5910.20 ± 320.56 pg/mL, P<0.01). The mouse survival rate reached 90.0% (27/30), higher than the fluconazole group (60.0%, 18/30) and the Tween saline group (30.0%, 9/30), with a significant difference between the two groups (both P<0.01). CA treatment exhibited significant therapeutic efficacy in mice with systemic C. albicans infection. Therefore, CA holds potential as a novel antifungal agent for targeted treatment of C. albicans infection.

Trifolium Pratense Improves Cyclophosphamide-Induced Thrombocytopenia and Leukopenia in a Rat Model of Chemotherapy

Background: Due to the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs in cancer patients, thrombocytopenia can lead to bleeding. Trifolium pratense L. is traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory compound for the treatment of various diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of T. pratense (red clover) extract (TPE) on thrombocytopenia and the related factors in a rat model of chemotherapy.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: In this experimental in vivo study, 28 rats were randomly divided into four groups of seven members (four males and three females) including Group1 as the control subjects, Group2 as thrombocytopenia cases, and Groups 3 and 4 with thrombocytopenic animals receiving TPE (100 and 200 mg/kg). Thrombocytopenia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CP) on three consecutive days. Then, the TPE was fed to rats for 14 days. At the end of the study, the rats' weight was measured. Blood samples were collected, complete blood count (CBC) was performed, and PF4 and clotting time were measured. After the dissection of the animals, the bone marrow and spleen were separated, and hisopathological changes were determined. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and a post-hoc Tukey test.&#x0D; Results: Cyclophosphamide decreased the platelets and the white blood cells (WBCs) and increased PF4 and the clotting time significantly (P &lt; 0.05). Also, TPE significantly increased the platelets and the WBC counts but decreased the time of clotting and the PF4 factor (P &lt; 0.05). TPE increased megakaryocyte (P &lt; 0.001) and enhanced the bone marrow and spleen cellularity.&#x0D; Conclusion: T. pratense can increase the number of platelets and WBCs and improve thrombocytopenia and bone marrow cellularity induced by chemotherapy.

DHEA promotes ovarian angiogenesis and improves ovarian function in POI rats by up-regulating HIF-1α/VEGF signalling

Research QuestionDehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) promotes tissue function recovery in different diseases by stimulating angiogenesis; however, its impact on ovarian angiogenesis and function in rats with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and the potential mechanisms of action remain uncertain. DesignDHEA was co-cultured with human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) cells to investigate its effects on cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation. A rat model of POI was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CTX), followed by continuous oral administration of DHEA for 28 d. Ovarian angiogenesis, follicular growth, and granulosa cell (GC) survival in ovarian tissues were assessed through haematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, and TUNEL. The effect of DHEA on the fertility of rats with POI was evaluated in pregnant animals. The expression levels of characteristic genes and proteins in the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway was determined using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and western blotting. ResultsIn vitro experiments revealed that DHEA stimulated the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HMEC-1 cells. In in vivo studies, DHEA treatment improved the disruption of estrous cycle and hormone imbalances in POI rats. Key genes in the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway exhibited upregulated expression, promoting ovarian angiogenesis in POI rats, and enhancing follicular development and GC survival, thereby restoring fertility in rats. ConclusionsDHEA can potentially restore ovarian function in CTX-induced POI rats by upregulating HIF-1α/VEGF signalling, which promotes the growth of blood vessels in the ovaries.

Immuno-Enhancing Effects of Galium aparine L. in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Animal Models.

This study investigates the immunomodulatory potential of Galium aparine L. (GAE) in immunodeficient animals. In this study, animals were categorized into five groups: the normal group, CYP group (cyclophosphamide intraperitoneal injection), GA5 group (cyclophosphamide + 5 μg GAE), GA50 group (cyclophosphamide + 50 μg GAE), and GA500 group (cyclophosphamide + 500 μg GAE). The CYP group exhibited significantly reduced spleen weights compared to the normal group, while the groups obtaining GAE displayed a dose-dependent increase in spleen weight. Furthermore, the GAE demonstrated dose-dependent enhancement of splenocyte proliferating activity, with significant increases observed in both LPS and ConA-induced assays. NK cell activity significantly increased in the GA50 and GA500 groups compared to the CYP group. Cytokine analysis revealed a significant increase in IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels in ConA-induced splenocytes treated with GAE. Gene expression analysis identified 2434 DEG genes in the extract groups. Notable genes, such as Entpd1, Pgf, Thdb, Syt7, Sqor, and Rsc1al, displayed substantial differences in individual gene expression levels, suggesting their potential as target genes for immune enhancement. In conclusion, Galium aparine L. extract exhibits immunomodulatory properties. The observed gene expression changes further support the potential of Galium aparine L. extract as a natural agent for immune augmentation.

Multi-omics analyses uncover metabolic signatures and gene expression profiles of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.

We explore molecular and metabolic pathways involved in interstitial cystitis (IC) with integrating multi-omics analysis for identifying potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Mouse models of IC/bladder pain syndrome (BPS) were established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide and bladder tissue samples were collected for metabolomics and transcriptome analysis. We found a total of 82 and 145 differential metabolites in positive ion modes and negative ion modes, respectively. Glycerophospholipid metabolism, choline metabolism in cancer, and nucleotide metabolism pathways were significantly enriched in the IC/BPS group. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that 1069 upregulated genes and 1087 downregulated genes were detected. Importantly, the stronger enrichment for cell cycle pathway was observed in IC/BPS than that in normal bladder tissue, which may be involved in the process of bladder remodeling. Moreover, the inflammatory response and inflammatory factors related pathways were enriched in the IC/BPS group. Our findings provide critical directions for further exploration of the molecular pathology underlying IC/BPS.

Danggui Jixueteng decoction for the treatment of myelosuppression after chemotherapy: A combined metabolomics and network pharmacology analysis

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the mechanism of the Danggui Jixueteng decoction (DJD) in treating Myelosuppression after chemotherapy (MAC) through network pharmacology and metabolomics. MethodsWe obtained the chemical structures of DJD compounds from TCMSP and PubMed. SwissTargetPrediction, STITCH, CTD, GeneCards, and OMIM were utilized to acquire component targets and MAC-related targets. We identified the key compounds, core targets, main biological processes, and signaling pathways related to DJD by constructing and analyzing related networks. The main active compounds and key proteins of DJD in treating AA were confirmed by molecular docking. A MAC rat model was established through intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide to confirm DJD's effect on the bone marrow hematopoietic system. Untargeted metabolomics analyzed serum metabolite differences between MAC rats and the control group, and before and after DJD treatment, to explore DJD's mechanism in treating MAC. ResultsOf the 93 active compounds identified under screening conditions, 275 compound targets and 3113 MAC-related targets were obtained, including 95 intersecting targets; AKT1, STAT3, CASP3, and JUN were key proteins in MAC treatment. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway may play a crucial role in MAC treatment with DJD. Molecular docking results showed good docking effects of key protein AKT1 with luteolin, β-sitosterol, kaempferol, and glycyrrhizal chalcone A. In vivo experiments indicated that, compared to the model group, in the DJD group, levels of WBCs, RBCs, HGB, and PLTs in peripheral blood cells, thymus index increased, spleen index decreased, serum IL-3, GM-CSF levels increased, and IL-6, TNF-α, and VEGF levels decreased (p < 0.01); the pathological morphology of femoral bone marrow improved. Eleven differential metabolites were identified as differential serum metabolites, mainly concentrated in phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis pathways, phenylalanine metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism. ConclusionThis study revealed that DJD's therapeutic effects are due to multiple ingredients, targets, and pathways. DJD may activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, promote hematopoietic-related cytokine production, regulate related metabolic pathways, and effectively alleviate cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression after chemotherapy in rats.

Ameliorative effects of rutin and rutin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles on testicular oxidative stress and histological damage induced by cyclophosphamide in male rats

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is broadly used to kill various tumor cells; however, its repeated uses have been reported to cause reproductive dysfunction and infertility. Natural flavonoid, rutin (RUT), possesses strong antioxidant and antiapoptotic activity that is attributed to ameliorate the reproductive dysfunction induced by CP. Many previous studies proved that the formulation of flavonoids in nanoemulsion has a promising perspective in mitigating the side effects of chemotherapy. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effects of RUT and RUT-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (RUT-CH NPs) against CP-induced reproductive dysfunction in male rats. For this aim, thirty-six male albino rats were randomly allocated into six groups as follows: control, RUT, RUT-CH NPs, CP, CP + RUT, and CP + RUT-CH NPs. In the CP groups, a single intraperitoneal injection of CP (150 mg/kg bwt) was administered on the first day of the experiment. RUT and RUT-CH NPs were orally administered either alone or with CP injection at a dose of 10 mg/kg bwt per day for 60 days. The results revealed that CP administration caused significant testicular oxidative stress damage through increasing the nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels as well as decreasing the total antioxidant capacity and reduced glutathione contents. It also impaired spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis via altering the transcription levels of CYP11A1, HSD-3b, StAR, Bax, bcl-2, and Nrf-2 genes. Otherwise, the oral intake of either RUT or RUT-CH NPs with CP injection effectively attenuated these alterations and significantly improved the microscopic appearance of testicular tissue. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of RUT either free or NPs in mitigating CP-induced testicular dysfunction via its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.

Investigating the Potential Hepatoprotective Effect of Quercetin in Male Rats ‎Following Acute Exposure to Cyclophosphamide

This study aimed to assess the hepatoprotective efficacy of quercetin against ‎hepatotoxicity ‎induced by cyclophosphamide in a rat model. A total of 28 male ‎Wister albino rats (Rattus ‎norvegicus), with body ‎weights ranging from 195.5 to ‎‎198.2 g and approximately three months ‎of age, were randomized into four different ‎groups: the untreated Control group ‎received no interventions; the CYP group was treated with an intraperitoneal ‎injection of ‎cyclophosphamide at a dose of 200 mg/BW; the Qt group received an ‎‎oral administration of quercetin at 100 mg/kg BW daily for ten days; and the combined (Qt+CYP) group received quercetin orally for ten days, followed by a ‎cyclophosphamide ‎injection on the tenth day. Various biochemical markers, ‎including alanine aminotransferase ‎‎(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and liver glutathione ‎‎(GSH), and malondialdehyde ‎‎(MDA), were analyzed, in addition to body weight and ‎prothrombin time. The ‎Untreated Control group exhibited baseline levels for all assessed ‎markers. In ‎contrast, the CYP group showed elevated levels of ALT, AST, ‎‎ALP, and MDA, coupled with a decrease in GSH. Notably, the Qt+CYP ‎group ‎demonstrated a statistically significant reduction (P‎‎&lt;0.05) in ALT, AST, ALP, ‎and MDA levels, ‎as well as an increase in GSH and prothrombin time, when ‎compared to the CYP group. No significant differences in body ‎weight were observed across all groups ‎‎(P‎‎&lt;0.05). The results of the study indicate that quercetin has the potential to be used as a ‎‎hepatoprotective agent, protecting liver tissues from the cytotoxic effects of cyclophosphamide.

Exosomes from adipose-derived stem cells alleviate premature ovarian failure via blockage of autophagy and AMPK/mTOR pathway.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of adipose-derived stem cell-derived exosome (ADSCs-Exo) in treating premature ovarian failure (POF). We constructed a POF mouse model through intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide, followed by the administration of the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA). Pathological injury, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), estradiol (E2), superoxide dismutase (SOD), granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis, and autophagy were assessed. Exosomes isolated from ADSCs were used to treat POF in mice. The AMPK-mTOR pathway and its proteins (p-AMPK and p-mTOR) were evaluated. A POF cell model was established using cyclophosphamide-treated human ovarian granulosa-like tumor (KGN) cells. We administered ADSCs-Exo and rapamycin to validate the mechanism of ADSCs-Exo against POF. In POF mice, 3-MA treatment attenuated pathological injuries, decreased FSH, MDA, and ROS levels, and increased E2 and SOD levels. 3-MA treatment also inhibited GC apoptosis and autophagy. ADSCs-Exo alleviated pathological injuries, improved ovarian morphology and function, and reduced oxidative stress in POF mice. ADSCs-Exo inhibited GC apoptosis and autophagy. ADSCs-Exo downregulated the expression of AMPK/mTOR pathway proteins (p-AMPK and p-mTOR). In the POF cell model, ADSCs-Exo and rapamycin inhibited AMPK/mTOR-mediated autophagy. ADSCs-Exo inhibits POF through the inhibition of autophagy and the AMPK/mTOR pathway. This study provides a potential target for the clinical treatment of POF.

Dendrobium officinale polysaccharides improved reproductive oxidative stress injury in male mice treated with cyclophosphamide.

Polysaccharides from Dendrobium officinale polysaccharides (DOPs) are the main bioactive components of Dendrobium officinale, which have the functions of antioxidation and immune regulation. However, it is not clear whether DOPs have any effect on the prevention of reproductive disorders induced by oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to explore the protective effect of DOPs on reproductive oxidative stress injury in male mice and its possible mechanism. In this study, the mouse model of reproductive injury was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CTX). The reproductive function was evaluated by relative testicular mass, sperm parameters, and sex hormone levels. The oxidative stress level of male mice with reproductive injury treated with DOPs was analyzed by the levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) in sperm. The expression of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) mRNA, androgen-binding (ABP) mRNA, and c-kit mRNA was detected by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to explore its mechanism. After CTX administration, the sperm density, sperm motility, normal sperm morphology, and sex hormone levels in mice were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). At the same time, the expression of p53 protein was upregulated, and the expression of Bcl-2 protein was downregulated (P < 0.05). In addition, the expression of FSHR and ABP mRNA on Sertoli cells was also significantly inhibited (P < 0.05). DOPs can effectively reduce the oxidative stress injury of testicular tissue. After DOP treatment, the sperm quality and sex-related hormone levels of mice were significantly improved and positively correlated with the dose of DOPs (P < 0.05). Administration of DOPs can reduce the damage caused by oxidative stress by reducing the level of oxidative stress, improving the hormone environment in testes, and regulating the expression of specific genes in Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells.

Human UC-MSC-derived exosomes facilitate ovarian renovation in rats with chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian insufficiency.

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) induced by chemotherapy is an intractable disorder with a considerable incidence that commonly results in insufficient fertility and concomitant complications in female patients. Due to limitations in the current progress in POI diagnosis and treatment, there is an urgent need to develop novel remedies to improve ovarian function and protect fertility. The ameliorative effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) and exosomes derived from them in POI treatment could be a new hope for patients. Herein, we identified exosomes from hUCMSCs (hUCMSC-Exos). Then, systematic infusion of hUCMSC-Exos was accomplished via tail intravenous injection to investigate the feasibility of the treatment of rats with chemotherapy-induced POI by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CTX) and busulfan (BUS). Ovarian functions in the indicated group were evaluated, including oestrous cycle, serum sex hormone levels, follicle counts, ovarian pathological changes, proliferation and apoptosis of granulosa cells (GCs), and reproductive ability testing. Furthermore, the potential influence of hUCMSC-Exos on ovarian tissues was illuminated by conducting RNA-seq and multifaceted bioinformatics analyses. POI rats with hUCMSC-Exos transplantation exhibited a decrease in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and apoptosis of GCs but an increase in oestradiol (E2), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and the number of ovarian follicles and foetuses in the uterus. And the immunomodulation- and cellular vitality-associated gene sets in rats had also undergone moderate changes. Our data indicated the feasibility of hUCMSC-Exos in improving ovarian function and protecting fertility in chemotherapy-induced POI rats. HUCMSC-Exos can improve the local microenvironment of ovarian tissue in POI rats by participating in immune regulation, cellular viability, inflammation regulation, fibrosis and metabolism, and other related signal pathways.

Dose-Dependent Effect of Hydrogen Sulfide in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats.

Cyclophosphamide is a commonly used anticancer and immunosuppressive agent; however, hepatotoxicity is one of its severe toxicities. Hydrogen sulfide is a gaseous signaling molecule that plays crucial regulatory roles in various physiological functions. This study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of hydrogen sulfide against cyclo phosp hamid e-ind uced hepatic damage in rats. Hepatotoxicity was induced by the single intraperitoneal administration of cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg). Sprague-Dawley rats were treated by hydrogen sulfide donor, sodium hydrosulfide (25, 50, and 100 μmol/kg, intraperitoneal) 7 days before and 7 days after the administration of a single intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg). Cyclo phosp hamide-ind uced hepatotoxicity was evaluated by serum and tissue biochemical and histopathological assessments. The levels of hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxide, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, interleukin 6, and interleukin 10 in liver homogenates were also determined by ELISA. One-way analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used as statistical analyses. Cyclophosphamide increased liver function enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase), immunoreactivity to caspase-3 and Apaf-1, and proinflammatory cytokines. Cyclophosphamide also induced histopathological alterations including pycnotic nucleus with eosinophilic cytoplasm, increased sinusoidal dilatation, congestion, and edema. Hydrogen sulfide cotreatment significantly reduced cyclo phosp hamid e-ind uced inflammation, histological alterations, and apoptosis in the liver. 50 mg/kg sodium hydrosulfide was more effective against cyclo phosp hamid e-ind uced hepatotoxicity. In conclusion, hydrogen sulfide with its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects seems to be beneficial as an adjunct to cyclophosphamide treatment to reduce cyclo phosp hamid e-ind uced hepatotoxicity and thereby can be suggested as a promising agent to increase the therapeutic efficacy of cyclophosphamide.

Effects of different steaming times on the composition, structure and immune activity of Polygonatum Polysaccharide.

As a commonly used traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Polygonati Rhizoma has high medicinal value, it can enhance the immune capacity of the body, regulate the metabolism of blood glucose and lipids, treat weakness of the stomach and intestines and physical fatigue, and so on. There are three plant varieties of Polygonati Rhizoma recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, including Polygonatum sibiricum Red., Polygonatum kingianum Coll. et Hemsl. and Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua, compared with the first two, Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua is less studied. Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua is one of the basal plants of the Chinese herb Polygonati Rhizoma, that strengthens the spleen, moistens the lungs, and benefits the kidneys. Polygonatum polysaccharide is the main active substance of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua, which has various biological effects of regulating immune system, anti-inflammatory, anti-antidepressant, antioxidant and other effects. In order to analyze the necessity and scientificity of multiple cycles of steaming during the traditional nine-steaming and nine-drying process of the concoction of Polygonatum, we investigated the changes in the composition and structure of polysaccharides, and explored its immunomodulatory activity and molecular biological mechanism. The structural characterization and molecular weight of polysaccharides were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM), high-performance size exclusion chromatography-evaporative light scattering detector (HPSEC-ELSD) and Matrix.assisted laser resolutionu ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The composition and proportion of monosaccharides were determined by PMP-HPLC method. A mouse immunosuppression model was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide to compare the immunomodulatory effects and mechanisms of different steaming times of Polygonatum, The changes of body mass and immune organ indices of mice were measured; the secretion levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon γ (IFN-γ) and the expression levels of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; and then flow cytometry was used to detect T-lymphocyte subpopulations to evaluate the differences of immunomodulatory effects of polysaccharides during the processing and preparation of Polygonatum. Finally, the Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing platform was used to analyze short-chain fatty acids and to investigate the effects of different steaming times of Polygonatum polysaccharides on immune function and intestinal flora in immunosuppressed mice. The structure of the Polygonatum polysaccharide with different steaming times changed significantly, the relative molecular weight of Polygonatum polysaccharide decreased significantly, and the monosaccharide composition of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua with different steaming times was the same but the content was different. The immunomodulatory activity of the Polygonatum polysaccharide was enhanced after concoction, which significantly increased the spleen index and thymus index, and increased the expression of IL-2, IFN-γ, IgA and IgM. The CD4+/CD8+ ratio of Polygonatum polysaccharide also increased gradually with different steaming times, indicating enhanced immune function and significant immunomodulatory effect. The content of short-chain fatty acids in the feces of mice in both six steaming six sun-drying of Polygonatum polysaccharides (SYWPP) and nine steaming nine sun-drying of Polygonatum polysaccharides (NYWPP) groups increased significantly, including the content of propionic acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, and isovaleric acid, and also had a good effect on the regulation and improvement of microbial community abundance and diversity, SYWPP and NYWPP increased the relative abundance of Bacteroides and the ratio of Bacteroides and Firmicutes (B:F), while SYWPP significantly increased the abundance of Bacteroides, Alistipes and norank_f__Lachnospiraceae, but the effect of raw Polygonatum polysaccharides (RPP) and NYWPP was not significant than SYWPP. Overall, both SYWPP and NYWPP could significantly enhance the immune activity of the organism, improve the imbalance of intestinal flora in immunosuppressed mice, and increase the content of intestinal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), it is noteworthy that SYWPP has a better effect on the improvement of the immune activity of the organism. These findings can explore the stage of the concoction process of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua to achieve the best effect, provide a reference basis for the development of quality standards, and at the same time promote the application of new therapeutic agents and health foods in raw and different steaming times of Polygonatum polysaccharide.

Protective effect of mussel polysaccharide on cyclophosphamide-induced intestinal oxidative stress injury via Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway.

The hard-shelled mussel (Mytilus coruscus) has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine and health food in China for centuries. Polysaccharides from mussel has been reported to have multiple biological functions, however, it remains unclear whether mussel polysaccharide (MP) exerts protective effects in intestinal functions, and the underlying mechanisms of action remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects and mechanism of MP on intestinal oxidative injury in mice. In this study, 40 male BALB/C mice were used, with 30 utilized to produce an animal model of intestinal oxidative injury with intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (Cy) for four consecutive days. The protective effects of two different doses of MP (300 and 600 mg/kg) were assessed by investigating the change in body weight, visceral index, and observing colon histomorphology. Moreover, the underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated by measuring the antioxidant enzymes and related signaling molecules through ELISA, real-time PCR, and western blot methods. The results showed that MP pretreatment effectively protected the intestinal from Cy-induced injury: improved the colon tissue morphology and villus structure, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content in serum and colon tissues. Meanwhile, MP also significantly increased the expression levels of SOD, GSH-Px, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mRNA in colon tissues. Further, western blot results showed that the expression of Nrf2 protein was significantly upregulated while kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) was significantly downregulated by MP in the colonic tissues. This study indicates that MP can ameliorate Cy-induced oxidative stress injury in mice, and Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway may mediate these protective effects.

Effect of Momordicacharantia polysaccharide on immunomodulatory activity in mice.

Momordica charantia polysaccharides (MCPs) have been reported to exert beneficial roles, such as disease healing, in medicine and pharmacy. However, little is known about their effects on immunomodulation. The present study aimed to explore the possible effects of Momordica charantia polysaccharide (MCP) on the immunomodulatory activity of mice lymphocytes. To this aim, male BALB/c mice aged 6-8 weeks were assigned to the following six experimental groups: i) Normal (NG); ii) model (MG); iii) positive (PG); iv) MCP low-dose (MLG); v) MCP medium-dose (MMG); and vi) MCP high-dose (MHG). An immunosuppressive model was established by the intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide in all groups apart from NG. The NG and MG mice were fed with distilled water, whereas the PG mice were administered with levamisole and the MLG, MMG and MHG mice were fed on low, medium and high (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, respectively) doses of MCP for 21 consecutive days. Subsequently, the mice underwent surgical procedure and were analysed using a range of procedures, including measurement of the thymus index (TI) and spleen index (SI), assessment of the lymphocyte proliferation rate and cell phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages, lymphocyte proliferation, secretion and mRNA expression of cytokines IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-12. The mice divided into six groups as mentioned above and treated for 7 days, in the first 6 days, except NG group, mice in each group were desiccated in the abdominal cavity and sensitized by 1% dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). On day 6, mice were sensitized with 20 µl DNFB/acetone/olive oil solution behind the right ear and in front of the right ear. Compared with those in the NG mice (not injected with 80 mg/kg cyclophosphamide), the TIs and SIs of the PG, MLG, MMG and MHG mice were increased. In addition, the inhibitory rate of ear swelling and the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages in the PG, MLG, MMG and MHG mice were increased compared with those of MG. Furthermore, the lymphocyte proliferation rate, the secretion and relative mRNA expression levels of cytokines IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-12 were significantly increased in the PG, MMG and MHG mice compared with those in the NG mice. The results from the present study suggest that treatment with MCP led to an upregulation of the organ indices of immunosuppressed mice, reduced their delayed allergic reaction indicated by the differential cytokine levels, improved the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages, enhanced the proliferation rate of lymphocytes, increased the secretion and expression of IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-12. Therefore, MCP may improve the immune function of the immunosuppressed mice.

Immunity and reproduction protective effects of Chitosan Oligosaccharides in Cyclophosphamide/Busulfan-induced premature ovarian failure model mice.

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a major cause of infertility among women of reproductive age. Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment available currently. Researchers have shown that immune disorders play a significant role in the development of POF. Moreover, growing evidence suggest that Chitosan Oligosaccharides (COS), which act as critical immunomodulators, may have a key role in preventing and treating a range of immune related reproductive diseases. KM mice (6-8 weeks) received a single intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CY, 120mg/kg) and busulfan (BUS, 30mg/kg) to establish POF model. After completing the COS pre-treatment or post-treatment procedures, peritoneal resident macrophages (PRMs) were collected for neutral erythrophagocytosis assay to detect phagocytic activity. The thymus, spleen and ovary tissues were collected and weighed to calculate the organ indexes. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe the histopathologic structure of those organs. The serum levels of estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P) were measured via the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of immune factors including interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 4 (IL-4), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), as well as germ cell markers Mouse Vasa Homologue (MVH) and Fragilis in ovarian tissue, were analyzed by Western blotting and qRT-PCR. In addition, ovarian cell senescence via p53/p21/p16 signaling was also detected. The phagocytic function of PRMs and the structural integrity of thymus and spleen were preserved by COS treatment. The levels of certain immune factors in the ovaries of CY/BUS- induced POF mice were found to be altered, manifested as IL-2 and TNF-α experiencing a significant decline, and IL-4 presenting a notable increase. Both pre-treatment and post-treatment with COS were shown to be protective effects against the damage to ovarian structure caused by CY/BUS. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining results showed that COS prevents CY/BUS-induced ovarian cell senescence. Additionally, COS regulated estrogen and progesterone levels, enhanced follicular development, and blocked ovarian cellular p53/p21/p16 signaling which participating in cell senescence. COS is a potent preventative and therapeutic medicine for premature ovarian failure by enhancing both the ovarian local and systemic immune response as well as inhibiting germ cell senescence.

Cyclophosphamide enfeebles myocardial isometric contraction force via RIP1/RIP3/MLKL/TRPM7-mediated necroptosis

This study explores the negative impact of cyclophosphamide (CP) on cardiac contractility by specifically examining its effect on the active and passive tension of the cardiac muscle in-vitro and revealing the mechanism through which CP induces myocardial insult in-vivo. In young male Sprague-Dawley rats, cardiac toxicity was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of CP (150 mg/kg body weight). Axial heart tissue slices were electrically stimulated, and the total isometric contraction force was measured at varying pretension levels. Blood and tissue biochemical assays, and histological/ immuno-histological assessments were conducted to evaluate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Statistical analysis shows that there is a significant difference between the drugged and the control groups in terms of the active tension values. Moreover, the pre-tension stress significantly affects both the active and passive tension values. CP altered heart, body, and heart-to-body weight, desolated cardiac muscle architecture, surged cardiac enzymes (CK-MB, LDH, and cTn l), augmented myocardial oxidative stressors (MDA), and weakened myocardial antioxidant status (SOD and GSH). Mechanistically, cyclophosphamide prompted the necroptotic trajectory evidenced by the activation of RIPK1, RIPK3, MLKL and TRPM7, the inhibition of caspase 8 and BCL2 and the upregulation of the protein/mRNA expression of TNF-α and TNFR1. This study identifies necroptosis as a key factor in cyclophosphamide-evoked myocardial contractility impairment, highlighting its potential as a target for alleviating antitumor-related myocardial damage. This innovative approach to investigating the underlying mechanisms of CP-induced cardiac toxicity offers valuable insights into the potential of developing new therapies to mitigate cyclophosphamide’s negative impact.

Decreased Expression of Urethral Caveolin-1, -2, and -3 in the Rat Model of Overactive Bladder: Potential Mediator of Functional Interaction of Urethra and Urinary Bladder.

To investigate the effect of detrusor overactivity (DO) on the urethral expression of caveolin (CAV)-1, -2, and -3 of urethra in an animal model of cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced cystitis rat. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the control group (n=20) and the cystitis group (n=20). Cystitis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of CYP (200 mg/kg). An urodynamic study was done 3 days after the CYP injection to measure functional change of the urinary bladder and urethra. Cellular localization and expression of CAV-1, -2, and -3 in the rat urethra were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot. Urodynamic experiments demonstrated a decreased contraction interval in the cystitis group compared to the control (3.9±1.0 minutes vs. 6.6±1.2 minutes, P<0.05). Conversely, contraction pressure increased significantly in the cystitis group compared to the control (22.4±0.7 mmHg vs. 11.5±0.4 mmHg, P<0.05). The urethral pressure was decreased in the cystitis group compared to the control (4.05 ±2.5 mmHg vs. 5.8 ±2.8 mmHg, P <0.05). The IHC and Western blot data showed that CAV-1, -2, and -3 expression decreased significantly in the cystitis group compared control group (P<0.05). The decreased urethral CAV-1, -2, and -3 in the DO rats suggests that CAVs might be related with the functional change of urethra in association with DO of urinay bladder.

Effect of penetrative needling of "Zhibian" (BL54) through "Shuidao" (ST28) on expression of TRAIL and its receptors in rats with premature ovarian insufficiency

To observe the effect of penetrative needling of "Zhibian" (BL54) through "Shuidao" (ST28) on the expressions of death receptor pathway-related protein tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its receptors, as death receptor 4 (DR4), death receptor 5 (DR5), decoy receptor 1 (DcR1) and decoy receptor 2 (DcR2) in premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) rats, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of POI. Forty female SD rats were randomly divided into blank control, model, penetrative needling and medication (estradiol valerate) groups, with 10 rats in each group. The POI model was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (D1: 50 mg·kg-1·d-1, D2 to D15: 8 mg·kg-1·d-1, for a total of 15 d). After successful modeling, the rats in the penetrative needling group received penetrative needling of BL54 through ST28, with the needle retained for 30 min, once a day for a total of 4 weeks. Rats of the medication group received gavage of estradiol valerate (0.09 mg·kg-1·d-1) once daily for 4 weeks. After the intervention, the content of serum follicles of stimulation hormone (FSH),lateinizing hormone (LH),estradiol (E2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and histopathological changes of ovarian tissue and the number of follicles were observed under light microscope after H.E. staining. The expression levels of TRAIL, DR4, DR5, DcR1, DcR2, and Fas-associated death domain (FADD) in ovarian tissues were detected using quantitative real-time PCR, and the immunoactivity of ovarian TRAIL, DR4 and DR5 detected using immunohistochemistry. The body weight and the damp weight of ovary were measured for calculating the ovarian coefficient. Compared with the blank control group, the E2 and VEGF contents, ovarian coefficient, and the number of the primary, secondary and sinus follicles were significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the model group, whereas FSH and LH contents, the atretic follicle number, TRAIL, DR4 and DR5 immunoactivity, and the expression levels of TRAIL, DR4, DR5 and FADD mRNAs considerably increased in the model group (P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, the decrease of the VEGF content, ovarian coefficient, and the number of the primary, secondary and sinus follicles, and the increase of the atretic follicle number, TRAIL, DR4 and DR5 immunoactivity, and expression levels of TRAIL, DR4, DR5 and FADD mRNAs were reversed in both penetrative needling and medication groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The number of primary follicles was significantly more in the medication group than in the penetrative needling group (P<0.01). Penetrative needling of BL54 and ST28 can improve ovarian weight and promote follicular development in POI rats, which may be associated with its function in down-regulating the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins TRAIL, DR4, DR5 and FADD of the death receptor pathway to inhibit apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells.

LncRNA MEG3 alleviates interstitial cystitis in rats by upregulating Nrf2 and inhibiting the p38/NF-κB pathway

PurposeInterstitial cystitis (IC), a chronic pain syndrome characterized by urinary frequency, urgency, and bladder or pelvic floor pain, severely affects the quality of life of patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the role and mechanism of long noncoding RNA Maternally Expressed Gene3 (lncRNA MEG3) in IC. MethodsAn IC rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide combined with bladder perfusion of fisetin and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) to mimic IC. An in vitro model was established using TNF-α-induced rat bladder epithelium cells. H&E staining was used to assess bladder tissue damage and ELISA was used to measure inflammatory cytokine levels. Western blot analysis was used to examine Nrf2, Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, p-p38, p38, p-NF-κB and NF-κB protein expression levels. RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down assays were used to examine the interaction between MEG3 and Nrf2. ResultsMEG3 levels were upregulated in IC tissues and bladder epithelial cells, whereas Nrf2 expression was found to be downregulated. Knockdown of MEG3 reduced bladder tissue injury, inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis. MEG3 was negatively correlated with Nrf2. Downregulation of MEG3 alleviated IC inflammation and injury by upregulating Nrf2 and inhibiting the p38/NF-κB pathway. ConclusionDownregulation of MEG3 alleviated inflammation and injury in IC rats by upregulating Nrf2 and inhibiting the p38/NF-κB pathway.