3-Acetylamino-5-acetylfuran (3A5AF) is an important nitrogen-containing fine chemical with broad application prospects and high research value. Herein, we report a novel method for the conversion of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (NAG) to 3A5AF in the choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs). The catalytic activities of various DESs have been smoothly screened, and DES 2 (choline chloride/PEG-200/boronic acid = 1/1/0.5) displayed the best catalytic performance. In the absence of any additional solvent, catalyst and additive, product 3A5AF was obtained in 18.3% yield after reacting at 180 °C for 15 min under atmospheric condition. In addition, DES 2 showed a good reusability. The possible reaction pathway was elucidated on the basis of the results of LC-MS and 13C NMR spectra. This study provided a new perspective for the application of DES in the conversion of chitin biomass.

3-Acetamido-5-acetylfuran(3A5AF) is a nitrogen-containing fine chemical and has broad application prospects and high research value. Herein, we report a mild and efficient method for the synthesis of 3A5AF from N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (NAG). The influence of solvent, temperature and additive on the catalytic performance was also studied. The Lewis acids with high catalytic efficiency have been smoothly screened. The highest yield (41.57%) of 3A5AF was obtained in the presence of B2O3 and MgCl2·6H2O at 180 °C for 60 min under normal atmospheric conditions. The reaction pathway was explored by LC-MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and FT-IR spectra. Compared with the microwave method and hydrothermal method, the optimized reaction condition was relatively mild. Moreover, the catalyst MgCl2·6H2O is low-cost and environmentally friendly.

This study aims to evaluate the body burdens of cadmium (Cd) associated with potential health impairment in residents living near electroplating industries. A total of 269 residents from exposure area and 106 from control area were recruited. We measured the blood and urinary Cd levels using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS); performed physical examinations; determined the urinary levels of β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), Nacetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), and 8-hydroxy-2\'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG); and evaluated the associations between Cd and these biomarkers. Blood and urinary Cd levels in exposure group were statistically higher than in control group (1.712 vs. 1.159 μg/L; 1.980 vs. 1.740 μg/L, respectively, p < 0.05). Urinary β2-MG and 8-OHdG levels in exposure group were also statistically higher (0.448 vs. 0.090 mg/L; 12.759 vs. 12.115 μg/L, respectively, p < 0.05), but urinary NAG levels showed no significant difference between the two groups (13.614 vs. 8.246 IU/L, p > 0.05). The proportion of abnormal nasal symptoms occurring in exposed subjects (88.8%) was much higher than in control subjects (78.2%, p < 0.05). Urinary Cd levels were positively correlated with blood Cd levels, urinary 8-OHdG, and NAG levels (r = 0.307, r = 0.185, r = 0.150, p < 0.05), but not correlated with urinary β2-MG levels (p > 0.05). In conclusion, our study revealed that residents living in close proximity to electroplating industries had elevated body burdens of Cd levels, as well as slight renal dysfunction and DNA oxidation damage.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome persistently increases and affects over 30% of U.S. adults. To study how metabolic syndrome may induce tubulointerstitial injury and whether acetaminophen has renal-protective properties, 4-week-old obese Zucker rats were randomly assigned into three groups, control (OC), vehicle dimethyl sulfoxide (OV), and acetaminophen treatment (30 mg/kg/day for 26 weeks), and lean Zucker rats served as healthy controls. Significant tubulointerstitial injuries were observed in both OC and OV animals, evidenced by increased tubular cell death, tubular atrophy/dilation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibrosis. These tubulointerstitial alterations were significantly reduced by treatment with a chronic but low dose of acetaminophen, which acted to diminish NADPH oxidase isoforms Nox2 and Nox4 and decrease tubulointerstitial oxidative stress (reduced tissue superoxide and macromolecular oxidation). Decreased oxidative stress by acetaminophen was paralleled by the reduction of tubular proapoptotic signaling (diminished Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase 3 activation) and the alleviation of tubular epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (decreased transforming growth factor β, connective tissue growth factor, α-smooth muscle actin, and laminin). These data suggest that increased oxidative stress plays a critical role in mediating metabolic syndrome-induced tubulointerstitial injury and provide the first evidence suggesting that acetaminophen may be of therapeutic benefit for the prevention of tubulointerstitial injury.

BACKGROUND: Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc. (Polygonum cuspidatum), also known as Reynoutria japonica Houtt and Huzhang in China, is a traditional and popular Chinese medicinal herb. Polygonum cuspidatum with a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects has been used for treatment of inflammation, favus, jaundice, scald, and hyperlipemia, etc.
OBJECTIVE: The present paper reviews the traditional applications as well as advances in botany, phytochemistry, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and toxicology of this plant. Finally, the tendency and perspective for future investigation of this plant are discussed, too.
METHODS: A systematic review of literature about Polygonum cuspidatum is carried out using resources including classic books about Chinese herbal medicine, and scientific databases including Pubmed, SciFinder, Scopus, the Web of Science and others.
RESULTS: Polygonum cuspidatum is widely distributed in the world and has been used as a traditional medicine for a long history in China. Over 67 compounds including quinones, stilbenes, flavonoids, counmarins and ligans have been isolated and identified from this plant. The root of this plant is used as the effective agent in pre-clinical and clinical practice for regulating lipids, anti-endotoxic shock, anti-infection and anti-inflammation, anti-cancer and other diseases in China and Japan.
CONCLUSIONS: As an important traditional Chinese medicine, Polygonum cuspidatum has been used for treatment of hyperlipemia, inflammation, infection and cancer, etc. Because there is no enough systemic data about the chemical constituents and their pharmacological effects or toxicities, it is important to investigate the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of this plant based on modern realization of diseases\' pathophysiology. Drug target-guided and bioactivity-guided isolation and purification of the chemical constituents from this plant and subsequent evaluation of their pharmacologic effects will promote the development of new drug and make sure which chemical constituent or multiple ingredients contributes its pharmacological effects. Additionally, chemicals and their pharmacological effects of the other parts such as the aerial part of this plant should be exploited in order to avoid resource waste and find new chemical constituents.

Exposure to cadmium (Cd) can affect both DNA methylation and renal function, but there are few examples of the association between epigenetic markers and Cd-induced kidney damage. It has been suggested that hypermethylation of the genes RASAL1 and KLOTHO is associated with renal fibrogenesis. To investigate whether hypermethylation of RASAL1 and KLOTHO in peripheral blood DNA can be associated with Cd exposure and/or Cd-induced renal dysfunction, the degrees of methylation of RASAL1 and KLOTHO in peripheral blood DNA from 81 residents in Cd-polluted and non-polluted areas were measured using bisulfate-PCR-pyrosequencing. Changes in blood cadmium (BCd), urinary cadmium (UCd), and kidney parameters were measured, and the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated. The levels of BCd and UCd correlated positively with the levels of DNA methylation in RASAL1 and in KLOTHO. The more heavily exposed residents (BCd, 4.23-13.22μg/L; UCd, 8.65-32.90μg/g creatinine) exhibited obvious renal dysfunction. Notably, when Cd concentration in blood and urine was adjusted, the increased methylation level in RASAL1 was inversely correlated with eGFR (P<0.01) but the relationship between hypermethylation of KLOTHO and eGFR was not statistically significant. The methylation of RASAL1 increased along with the increased abnormal prevalence of eGFR. Our findings suggest that Cd exposure can induce the hypermethylation of RASAL1 and KLOTHO. Hypermethylation of RASAL1 may be an indicator of the progress for chronic kidney disease.