Naringenin (NAR) is a major flavanone in citrus fruits that has multiple pharmacological attributes such as anticancer and antiatherogenic. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of NAR in high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced atherosclerosis (AS) in apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE-/-) mice. A HFD-induced AS ApoE-/- mouse model was established. The mice were treated with HFD, different doses of NAR and simvastatin (Simv). After drug treatment, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were determined. The expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was detected using qRT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The plaque area of the aorta of AS mice was determined using oil red O staining. Western blot analysis was applied to measure the levels of autophagy-related proteins [protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B), beclin 1, and p62]. The TC, TG, LDL-C, TNF-α, ALT, and MDA levels were significantly increased while the HDL-C, SOD, and GSH-Px levels were decreased in the HFD-induced AS ApoE-/- mice. NAR treatment reversed the expression of the above indicators in mice. After they were treated with different doses of NAR, the LC3B and beclin 1 levels were improved while the p62 protein level was decreased. This study suggested that NAR could promote cell autophagy to improve HFD-induced AS in ApoE-/- mice.

Abstract The present study investigated the extraction and purification technology of matrine from Sophora flavescens Ait. and the inhibitory effects of matrine on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) CNE-2 cells. The matrine was extracted from Sophora flavescens Ait. by decocting using ethanol-aqueous solution as the solvent, followed by purification using ion exchange resin adsorption. The extraction and purification conditions were investigated. The effects of matrine on growth, cell apoptosis and cycle of CNE-2 cells and expressions of Bac-2 and caspase-3 protein in cells were detected. Results showed that, the optimal extraction and purification technologies of matrine from Sophora flavescens Ait. were obtained, under which the purity of matrine was 81.56%. Matrine could obtain inhibit the growth of CNE-2 cells, promote the cell apoptosis, and arrest most cells in G0/G1 phase. In addition, after treated matrine, the relative expression level of Bcl-2 protein in CNE-2 cells was decreased, and the expression level of Caspase-3 protein was increased. In conclusion, matrine has inhibitory effects on human NPC CNE-2 cells. The mechanism may be related to its down-regulation of Bcl-2 protein and up-regulation of Caspase-3 protein expression.

Vascular endothelium play an essential role in regulating endothelial functions by maintaining normal vascular tone, modulating hemostasis, and preventing thromobogenesis. The aim of present study was to reveal ultrastructure features of coronary artery endothelium in Bactrian Camels by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM) technology. The results showed that the endothelial cells distribute along the direction of blood flow. Their morphology and protuberant degree towards luminal surface vary for different parts of the coronary artery. The luminal surface of a.c oronaria sinistra and a. coronaria dextra was covered by impaired and intact endothelium, respectively. Platelets and leukocytes sticking to the endothelium were found.

Las células endoteliales de los vasos sanguíneos juegan un rol esencial en la regulación de las funciones endoteliales manteniendo el tono vascular, modulando la homeostasis y previniendo la trombogénesis. En la investigación se utilizó un microscopio electrónico de barrido, revelando las características estructurales de las células endoteliales de los vasos coronarios de los camellos bactrianos. Los resultados indican que las células endoteliales estaban distribuidas a lo largo de la dirección de flujo. En distintas partes de la arteria coronaria existen diferencias en el grado de proyección de la morfología y de la superficie de la cavidad de dichas células. La superficie luminal de la arteria coronaria izquierda y la arteria coronaria derecha estaban cubiertas por endotelio deteriorado e intacto, respectivamente. Se observó adhesión de leucocitos y plaquetas en la superficie de las células endoteliales.

Six forestomachs of yaks (Bos grunniens) were studied with gross dissection and histological methods. It was found that the forestomach of yak consisted of the following three parts, rumen, reticulum and omasum, which were composed of the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and serosa. In addition, the mucosal epithelium was covered with stratified squamous epithelium, with part of keratinized the shallow cells. Rumen, the mucosa of which formed ligulate papillae varying in size and shape, was no muscularis mucosa. Reticulum, consisted of a surface epithelium that invaginated to various extent into the lamina propria, formed various folds in shape, namely, grid-like small rooms. Furthermore, there are many secondary folds densely covered with keratinized papillae. The most striking feature of the omasum was to be formed the laminae omasi varying in length, with short and rough papillae distributing on both sides. Taken together, there was no glands within the mucosa and lamina propria of forestomach of yak, where diffuse lymphoid tissues can be observed clearly. It is, therefore, believed that the yak forestomach may have evolved those specific structural characteristics in response to the unique living environment and dietary habits impose on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Seis preestómagos de yaks (Bos grunniens) fueron estudiados mediante disección macroscópica y métodos histológicos. Se encontró que el preestómago del yak constaba de tres partes: rumen, retículo y omaso, compuestas de mucosa, submucosa, muscular y serosa. Además, el epitelio de la mucosa se conformó con epitelio escamoso estratificado, con parte de células cornificadas superficiales. En el rumen, la mucosa formó papilas linguladas que variaron en tamaño y forma. El retículo, consistió en una superficie epitelial que se invaginó en distinta medida en la lámina propia, conformando varias formas de pliegues, es decir, cuadrículas como pequeños cubículos. Además, existían muchos pliegues secundarios densamente cubiertos con papilas cornificadas. La característica más llamativa del omaso, fue formar láminas que variaron en longitud, con papilas cortas y ásperas distribuidas en ambos lados. Tomados en conjunto, no hubo glándulas dentro de la mucosa y la lámina propia del preestómago del yak, donde los tejidos linfoides difusos se pueden observar claramente. Por lo tanto, creemos que esas características estructurales específicas del preestómago del yak pudieron haber evolucionado en respuesta a las condiciones de vida únicas y hábitos dietéticos que se presentan en la meseta de Qinghai-Tíbet.