1.WIF-1 or 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine demethylation suppresses tumor growth in a mouse model of osteosarcoma
Fei DUAN ; Shuzhong LI ; Wanping ZHU ; Xuehua KANG ; Hengjia ZHANG ; Shengjie DAI ; Yanpeng TIAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2016;20(27):3984-3991
BACKGROUND:WIF-1 is a tumor suppressor gene. Promoter hypermethylation causes WIF-1 down-regulationin most tumors. DNA methylation inhibitor can lead to gene demethylation and restore its expression. OBJECTIVE:To observe the differences of tumor pathology and, WIF-1 mRNAand proteinchanges using WIF-1 or 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine demethylation in animalmodels of osteosarcoma.
METHODS:Murine osteosarcoma models were established and divided into three groups. In the control group, no treatment was given. In the 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine group, an appropriate amount of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine was injected ineach mouse daily. In the WIF-1 group, an appropriate amount of Wnt/β-catenin signal transduction pathway inhibitor WIF-1 was injected in each mouse daily. Seven days after medication, the weight of nude mouse was weighed every 7 days. Short tumor diameter (a) and the long diameter (b) were measured. Therelative tumor volume was calculated. The relative growth rate of tumor was calculated at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 56 days. Four nude mice from ach group were sacrificed by puling the neck at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 56 days after medication. Tumor tissues were stripped and the weight of them was weighed. Pathological analysis of the tumor was conducted. The expression of WIF-1protein and WIF-1 mRNA was detected in osteosarcoma at 56 days after medication in the three groups.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Compared withthe medication and control groups, the weight of nude mice was increased at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 56 days in the treatment group. No significant difference was found between the medication and control groups. (2) The tumor size was significantly smaler in themedication group than in the control group. WIF-1 mRNA and WIF-1 protein expression was increased in the medication group compared with the control group to different degrees. (3) Results suggested that WIF-1 gene promoter methylation is one of the mechanisms of the development of osteosarcoma. Use of WIF-1 or 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine demethylation can inhibit tumor growth in animal models of osteosarcoma.
2.Experience in Treating Depression with the Combined Use of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Under the Guiding Principle of Deficiency and Excess
Yuxian WANG ; Wei LU ; Hengjia LIU ; Jing YANG ; Qingnan FU ; Jie ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1499-1503
This paper summarizes clinical experience in treating depression with a combined approach of acupuncture and herbal medicine under the guiding principle of deficiency and excess. Given the complex pathogenesis of depression, it is proposed that syndrome differentiation based on deficiency and excess should serve as the overarching principle. Acupuncture is prioritized, supplemented by Chinese herbal medicine. Acupuncture is based on the spirit-regulating protocol; for excess syndromes, it is combined with the calming and restoring protocol, while for deficiency syndromes, it is combined with the five zang organs tonification protocol. In cases of mixed deficiency and excess, the two protocols are alternated, and adjustments are made dynamically throughout the treatment based on syndrome evolution. Herbal prescriptions are also guided by the differentiation of deficiency and excess. For excess patterns, dispersion and clearance should be emphasized, focusing on soothing the liver, clearing heat, relieving irritability, regulating qi, transforming phlegm, and calming the mind; for deficiency patterns, tonification is emphasized, aiming to strengthen the spleen, nourish the blood, calm the spirit, tonify qi, and consolidate the root.