Objective:To assess the preventive and therapeutic effects and primary mechanisms of Danshen injections in the treat-ment of hepatic encephalopathy ( HE) . Methods:The acute ammonia poisoning model induced by ammonium chloride was established in mice, and HE model with liver injury induced by carbon tetrachlorie and high blood ammonia induced by thioacetamide was made in rats. The time of death was detected in the first model, and the histamine levels in blood and brain, liver function and liver pathologi-cal histology changes were detected respectively in the other model. Results:In the acute ammonia poisoning experiment, the time of death in Danshen injections group was longer than that in the control group. Furthermore, Danshen injections could notably decrease the histamine levels in blood and brain, reduce the levels of ALT, AST, ALP and Tbil in serum and improve the function of liver to show the preventive and therapeutic effects on HE. Conclusion:Danshen injections exhibit promising preventive and therapeutic effects on HE, which may be related to decreasing histamine levels in blood and brain.

Objective:To investigate the safety and effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and sorafenib on large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treatment.Methods:From Jan 2012 to Dec 2017, 36 patients (Male: 33, Female: 3, average age: 51.8) with large HCC lesions(5-7 cm) received TACE plus with RFA and sorafenib in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Efficacy was evaluated after TACE. Each patient was received follow-up after RFA procedure. The occurrence rate of complications and overall survival (OS) were recorded. Log-rank univariate analysis was used to analyze the OS data.Results:The median TACE time was 4, and the RFA time was (1.7±0.7) . Mean duration time of sorafenib administration was (37.7±28.8) months. Adverse events of sorafenib: 26(72.2%) hand-foot skin reaction, 6(16.7%) hypertension, 22(61.1%) diarrhea, 17(47.2%) alopecia, 3(8.3%) oral ulcer and 1(2.8%) gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Median OS was 63.0 months, and 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rate was 100%, 72.7% and 52.6%. The cumulative survival rate of patients taking whole course of sorafenib ( n=21) was better than that of patients taking remedial ( n=15); the cumulative survival rate of patients with alpha fetal protein (AFP) <200 μg/L ( n=26) before treatment was better than ≥200 μg/L ( n=10); the cumulative survival rate of patients with good TACE response ( n=19) was better than that of patients with no response ( n=17), and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusions:TACE plus with RFA and sorafenib are safe and effective for large HCC patients with 5-7 cm lesions and this treatment might improve OS. The whole-course sorafenib, lower base AFP value (<200 μg/L) and good TACE response were considered as the good factors for the combination therapy in large HCC patients.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of percutanous transhepatic intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(PTIPS)for chronic portal vein occlusion and cavernous transformation with symptomatic portal hypertension.Methods The clinical and imaging data of 38 patients with chronic portal vein occlusion and cavernous transformation with symptomatic portal hypertension, who received PTIPS in our hospital from November 2009 to June 2016,were analyzed retrospectively.The differences of the portosystemic pressure gradient(PPG)measured before and after PTIPS procedure was analyzed by a paired samples t-test. All the patients were followed up and the curative effect and operation-correlated complications were observed.Results The PTIPS procedure was technically successful in 36 patients.The other two patients with unsuccessful PTIPS underwent medical treatment,and one of them died of recurrent variceal bleeding 25 months later. Effective portal decompression and free antegrade shunt flow were achieved in 36 patients with successful PTIPS.And the mean PPG was decreased from(25.2±2.9)to(13.2± 1.3) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) before and after PTIPS respectively and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).During the procedure,arterial hemorrhage occurred in two patients who subsequently underwent embolization. Biliary injury occurred in one case and percutanous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD)was then performed.The mean follow-up period of the 36 patients was(26.7±10.4)months(range from 3.0 to 74.0 months).Hepatic encephalopathy appeared in 4 cases,among which,3 patients recovered after receiving medical treatment, while 1 patient experienced Grade 3 hepatic encephalopathy and recovered after implanting a smaller cover-stent.Shunt dysfunction occurred in 10 cases,of which 8 cases recovered after shunt revision with stent implantation or ballon angioplasty, while 2 cases underwent anticoagulation by warfarin only. During follow-up period, 7 patients died of liver failure(n=4), hepatic cellular carcinoma(n=1), recurrent varicose vein bleeding(n=1), and renal failure(n=1). The other patients remained asymptomatic and shunt patency. Conclusions PTIPS is both safe and effective for the treatment of symptomatic portal hypertension caused by chronic portal vein occlusion and cavernous transformation.The technical success rate is high,and the short-term curative effect is satisfied.

Background/Aims: Transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1) is highly expressed and contributes to the progression of various malignancies. However, how it modulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and senescence remains to be elucidated. Methods: TM4SF1 expression in HCC samples was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Cellular senescence was assessed through SA-β-gal activity assays and Western blot analysis. TM4SF1-related protein interactions were investigated using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and immunofluorescence. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The HCC mouse model was established via hydrodynamic tail vein injection. Results: TM4SF1 was highly expressed in human HCC samples and murine models. Knockdown of TM4SF1 suppressed HCC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, inducing non-secretory senescence through upregulation of p16 and p21. TM4SF1 enhanced the interaction between AKT1 and PDPK1, thereby promoting AKT phosphorylation, which subsequently downregulated p16 and p21. Meanwhile, TM4SF1-mediated AKT phosphorylation enhanced PD-L1 expression while reducing major histocompatibility complex class I level on tumor cells, leading to impaired cytotoxic function of CD8+ T cells and an increased proportion of exhausted CD8+ T cells. In clinical HCC samples, elevated TM4SF1 expression was associated with resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Targeting TM4SF1 via adeno-associated virus induced tumor senescence, reduced tumor burden and synergistically enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy. Conclusions Our results revealed that TM4SF1 regulated tumor cell senescence and immune evasion through the AKT pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in HCC, particularly in combination with first-line immunotherapy.

Background/Aims: Transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1) is highly expressed and contributes to the progression of various malignancies. However, how it modulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and senescence remains to be elucidated. Methods: TM4SF1 expression in HCC samples was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Cellular senescence was assessed through SA-β-gal activity assays and Western blot analysis. TM4SF1-related protein interactions were investigated using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and immunofluorescence. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The HCC mouse model was established via hydrodynamic tail vein injection. Results: TM4SF1 was highly expressed in human HCC samples and murine models. Knockdown of TM4SF1 suppressed HCC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, inducing non-secretory senescence through upregulation of p16 and p21. TM4SF1 enhanced the interaction between AKT1 and PDPK1, thereby promoting AKT phosphorylation, which subsequently downregulated p16 and p21. Meanwhile, TM4SF1-mediated AKT phosphorylation enhanced PD-L1 expression while reducing major histocompatibility complex class I level on tumor cells, leading to impaired cytotoxic function of CD8+ T cells and an increased proportion of exhausted CD8+ T cells. In clinical HCC samples, elevated TM4SF1 expression was associated with resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Targeting TM4SF1 via adeno-associated virus induced tumor senescence, reduced tumor burden and synergistically enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy. Conclusions Our results revealed that TM4SF1 regulated tumor cell senescence and immune evasion through the AKT pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in HCC, particularly in combination with first-line immunotherapy.

Background/Aims: Transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1) is highly expressed and contributes to the progression of various malignancies. However, how it modulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and senescence remains to be elucidated. Methods: TM4SF1 expression in HCC samples was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Cellular senescence was assessed through SA-β-gal activity assays and Western blot analysis. TM4SF1-related protein interactions were investigated using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and immunofluorescence. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The HCC mouse model was established via hydrodynamic tail vein injection. Results: TM4SF1 was highly expressed in human HCC samples and murine models. Knockdown of TM4SF1 suppressed HCC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, inducing non-secretory senescence through upregulation of p16 and p21. TM4SF1 enhanced the interaction between AKT1 and PDPK1, thereby promoting AKT phosphorylation, which subsequently downregulated p16 and p21. Meanwhile, TM4SF1-mediated AKT phosphorylation enhanced PD-L1 expression while reducing major histocompatibility complex class I level on tumor cells, leading to impaired cytotoxic function of CD8+ T cells and an increased proportion of exhausted CD8+ T cells. In clinical HCC samples, elevated TM4SF1 expression was associated with resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Targeting TM4SF1 via adeno-associated virus induced tumor senescence, reduced tumor burden and synergistically enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy. Conclusions Our results revealed that TM4SF1 regulated tumor cell senescence and immune evasion through the AKT pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in HCC, particularly in combination with first-line immunotherapy.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of modified Erchentang on the expression of key molecules in the Jagged1/Notch1/Hes1 signaling pathway in lung tissues of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） and explore its anti-inflammatory effect and molecular mechanism on COPD through the Jagged1/Notch1/Hes1 signaling pathway. MethodSixty SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose modified Erchentang groups （5， 10， 20 g·kg^-1）， and γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT group （0.02 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. The COPD model was induced in rats by cigarette smoking combined with intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. Rats were treated with corresponding drugs by gavage， while those in the normal group and the model group were treated with the same amount of normal saline by gavage. The serum levels of Notch1， soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （sICAM-1）， activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule （ALCAM）， and soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 （sVCAM-1） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The mRNA expression of Jagged1， Notch1， and Hes1 was detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The protein expression of Jagged1， Notch1， Notch1 intracellular domain （NICD1）， and Hes1 in lung tissues of rats was detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed increased serum content of Notch1， sICAM-1， ALCAM， and sVCAM-1 （P<0.01）， increased mRNA expression of Jagged1， Notch1， and Hes1 in lung tissues （P<0.01）， and increased protein expression of Jagged1， Notch1， NICD1， and Hes1 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the medium- and high-dose modified Erchentang groups and the DAPT group showed decreased serum content of Notch1， sICAM-1， ALCAM， and sVCAM-1 （P<0.05， P<0.05）， down-regulated mRNA expression of Jagged1， Notch1， and Hes1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and reduced protein expression of Jagged1， Notch1， NICD1， and Hes1（P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Erchentang may inhibit the inflammatory response in the lung of COPD rats， and its mechanism may be related to the resistance of inflammatory injury in the lung by decreasing the mRNA expression of Jagged1， Notch1， and Hes1 and inhibiting the release of Notch1， sICAM-1， ALCAM， and sVCAM-1.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of modified Erchentang on the expression of key molecules in the high mobility group Box 1 protein （HMGB1）/receptor for advanced glycation endproduct （RAGE）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway in bronchioles of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）， to explore the mechanism of modified Erchentang against bronchiolar inflammation of COPD rats via HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway. MethodSixty SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， modified Erchentang low-， medium- and high-dose groups （5， 10， 20 g·kg^-1·d^-1） and ethyl pyruvate （HMGB1 inhibitor） group， with 10 in each group. The COPD rat model was prepared by cigarette smoke combined with tracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. After modeling， the modified Erchentang groups were given corresponding drugs （ig） and Ringer's solution （4 mL， ip）， while the EP group was treated with equal volume of normal saline （ig） and EP （0.04 g·kg^-1·d^-1， ip）. The normal group and the model group received equal volume of normal saline （ig） and Ringer's solution （ip） for 21 consecutive days. The contents of HMGB1， chemokine （C-X-C motif） ligand 1 （CXCL1）， CXCL2 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 （MCP-1） in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The mRNA expressions of HMGB1， RAGE and NF-κB p65 were determined by Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， and the protein expressions of HMGB1， RAGE， p-NF-κB p65， and alpha-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） in bronchioles tissue of rats were determined by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. ResultCompared with the conditions in the normal group， the forced vital capacity （FVC）， forced expiratory volume in the first second （FEV1） and FEV1/FVC in the model group were decreased （P<0.01） while the contents of HMGB1， CXCL1， CXCL2 and MCP-1 in BALF were increased （P<0.01）. And the model group presented higher mRNA expressions of HMGB1， RAGE and NF-κB p65 （P<0.01） and protein expressions of HMGB1， RAGE， p-NF-κB p65 and α-SMA （P<0.05， P<0.01） than the normal group. Compared with the model group， the modified Erchentang medium- and high-dose groups had increased FEV1/FVC （P<0.05， P<0.01）， lowered contents of HMGB1， CXCL1， CXCL2 and MCP-1 in BALF （P<0.05， P<0.05）， and reduced mRNA expressions of HMGB1， RAGE and NF-κB p65 （P<0.05， P<0.01） and protein expressions of HMGB1， RAGE， p-NF-κB p65 and α-SMA （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Erchentang can resist bronchiolar inflammation of COPD rats. The mechanism may be related to down-regulating the mRNA expressiona of HMGB1 and RAGE， inhibiting the activity of NF-κB， and reducing the release of HMGB1， CXCL1， CXCL2 and MCP-1， thus suppressing the inflammatory injury and abnormal repair of bronchioles.