Acta pharmacologica Sinica
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Acta Pharmacol. Sin. · Dec 2014
Exogenous carbon monoxide suppresses Escherichia coli vitality and improves survival in an Escherichia coli-induced murine sepsis model.
Endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) has been shown to modulate inflammation and inhibit cytokine production both in vivo and in vitro. The aim of this study was to examine whether exogenous carbon monoxide could suppress the vitality of Escherichia coli (E coli) and improve the survival rate in an E coli-induced murine sepsis model. ⋯ In addition directly suppressing E coli, CORM-2 protects the liver and lungs against E coli-induced sepsis in mice, thus improving their survival.
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Acta Pharmacol. Sin. · Dec 2014
Sevoflurane post-conditioning protects isolated rat hearts against ischemia-reperfusion injury via activation of the ERK1/2 pathway.
To investigate the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) in sevoflurane post-conditioning induced cardioprotection in vitro. ⋯ Sevoflurane post-conditioning protects isolated rat hearts against myocardial I/R injury and inhibits cell oncosis and apoptosis via activation of the ERK1/2 pathway.
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Acta Pharmacol. Sin. · Jul 2014
Metergoline inhibits the neuronal Nav1.2 voltage-dependent Na(+) channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes.
Metergoline is an ergot-derived psychoactive drug that acts as a ligand for serotonin and dopamine receptors. The aim of this study was to investigate the regulatory effects of metergoline on the neuronal Nav1.2 voltage-dependent Na(+) channels in vitro. ⋯ Metergoline exerts potent inhibition on the activity of neuronal Nav1.2 channels, which may contribute to its actions on the central nervous system.
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Free fatty acid-induced lipotoxicity plays a crucial role in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In the present study we investigated the effects of a high-fat diet and free fatty acids on the autophagic process in hepatocytes in vivo and in vitro and the underlying mechanisms. ⋯ JNK1 promotes PA-induced lipoapoptosis, whereas JNK2 activates pro-survival autophagy and inhibits PA lipotoxicity. Our results suggest that modulation of autophagy may have therapeutic benefits in the treatment of lipid-related metabolic diseases.
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Acta Pharmacol. Sin. · Mar 2014
Oxymatrine attenuates diabetes-associated cognitive deficits in rats.
Oxymatrine (OMT) is the major quinolizidine alkaloid extracted from the root of Sophora flavescens Ait (the Chinese herb Kushen) and exhibits diverse pharmacological actions. In this work we investigated the effects of OMT on diabetes-associated cognitive decline (DACD) in a rat model of diabetes and explored the mechanisms of action. ⋯ Chronic treatment with OMT alleviates diabetes-associated cognitive decline in rats, which is associated with oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptotic cascades.