We have recently found that suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, improves survival in a lethal model of hemorrhagic shock in rats. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether SAHA treatment would prevent LPS-induced septic shock and improve the survival in a murine model. C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into two groups. Experimental mice were given intraperitoneal SAHA (50 mg/kg) in vehicle dimethyl sulfoxide fluid (n = 10). The control mice (n = 10) received vehicle dimethyl sulfoxide only. They were injected with LPS (20 mg/kg, i.p.) 2 h later, and the animals from the treatment group were given a second dose of SAHA. Survival was monitored during the next 7 days. In a parallel study, mice treated with or without SAHA were subjected to LPS insult while normal (sham) mice serviced as controls. 1) Lungs were harvested at 3 and 48 h for analysis of gene expression and pathologic changes, respectively; 2) spleens were isolated for analysis of neutrophilic cell population. In addition, RAW264.7 mouse macrophages were cultured to assess the effects of SAHA on LPS-induced inflammation in vitro. All mice in the control group that were subjected to LPS challenge died in less than 48 h. However, SAHA-treated animals displayed a significantly higher 1-week survival rate (87.5%) compared with the control group (0%). Moreover, LPS insult decreased the acetylation of histone proteins (H2A, H2B, and H3), elevated the levels of TNF-alpha in vivo (circulation) and in vitro (culture medium), increased the neutrophilic cell population in the spleen, enhanced the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta genes in lung tissue, and augmented the pulmonary neutrophil infiltration. In contrast, SAHA treatment markedly attenuated all of these LPS-induced alterations. We report for the first time that administration of SAHA (50 mg/kg) significantly attenuates a variety of inflammatory markers and improves long-term survival after a lethal LPS insult.

AbstractGlioma is one of the most malignant and fatal tumors in adults. Researchers and physicians endeavor to improve clinical efficacy towards it but made little achievement. In recent years, people have made advances in understanding characteristics and functions of tumor microenvironment and its role in different processes of tumor. In this paper, we describe the effects of tumor microenvironment on glioma proliferation, invasion and treatments. By explaining underlying mechanisms and enumerating new therapy strategies employing tumor microenvironment, we aim to provide novel ideas to improve clinical outcomes of glioma.

BackgroundIncreasing evidence suggests seizures cause blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction including decreased seizure threshold and higher onset potential of future seizures. However, the mechanisms underlying BBB damage in seizures remains poorly understood. Evidence in human and animal models shows BBB disruption is associated with activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) after cerebral ischemia and inflammation. The objective of this study was to determine whether MMP-9 concentrations in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) are associated with BBB disruption in patients after epileptic seizures.MethodsThirty-one patients with generalized tonic-clonic (GTC) seizures were included in the study: 20 had recurrent GTC seizures (RS), and 11 had a single GTC seizure (SS) episode. Twenty-five adult non-seizure patients were used as controls. CSF samples were collected by lumbar puncture within 24 h after seizure cessation (range: 3–15 h, mean 6.2 h). CSF MMP-9 levels were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). MMP enzyme activity was measured by gelatin zymography. The CSF/serum albumin ratio (albumin quotient, QAlb) was used as a measure of blood–brain barrier permeability.ResultsWe found significantly higher CSF MMP-9 concentrations in seizure patients compared with controls (P < 0.001). CSF MMP-9 levels and QAlb values were higher in RS patients compared with SS and controls. Moreover, CSF MMP-9 concentration showed strong correlation between QAlb values (r = 0.76, P < 0.0001) and between CSF leukocyte counts (r = 0.77, P < 0.0001) in patients after seizures. Gelatin zymography showed MMP-9 proteolytic activity only in GTC seizure patients.ConclusionsOur results suggest MMP-9 plays a role in BBB dysfunction, characterized by invasion of leukocytes into the CSF during seizures.

A new synthesis of enamides from ketones is disclosed that involves a phosphine-mediated reductive acylation of oximes. The resulting enamides are isolated in good yields (up to 89%) and excellent purity, permitting a subsequent hydrogenation to access enantiopure acetamides at catalyst loadings practical for large-scale applications.

The feasibility of the triple-reductive amination reaction for the synthesis of complex indolizidine frameworks is illustrated by application to the potent glycosidase inhibitors castanospermine and swainsonine. The target compounds were obtained from known carbohydrate precursors in yields of 23 and 14%, over nine and 13 steps, respectively. The iodoetherification reaction of allylated monosaccharides was shown to be a practical reaction for the synthesis of the tricarbonyl precursors for the key triple reductive amination reactions.