Objective To explore the effect of a herbalcompound Gehua Jiejue Dizhi Decoction (GJDD) on the liver fat deposition and the expression of PXR, and the mRNA and protein expression of its target genes CYP3A11 and CYP3A25in the liver tissues of mouse models of alcoholic fatty liver.Methods Twenty-nine healthy male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group (n=5), model group (n=8), high dose GJDD group (n=8)and low dose GJDD group (n=8).The mouse model of alcoholic fatty liver was prepared according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) method.Then, the mice were treated with the high dose and low dose GJDD for 9 days.Serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (AST) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Liver fat deposition was detected by oil red O staining.Real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed to examine the expressions of PXR, CYP3A11 and CYP3A25.Results Compared with the model group, the liver fat deposition in the intervention groups was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner, with a significant increase of the expression of PXR and CYP3A25 (P < 0.01).The serum ALT level was significantly reduced in the model group (P < 0.01), while the transcriptional levels of CYP3A11 mRNA in the groups were similar (P ≥ 0.05).Conclusions Gehua Jiejue Dizhi Decoction has obvious therapeutic effect on the AFLD in mice, which may be related to the activation of PXR and its target genes CYP3A25.

The effect of glucose on acylcoenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase-1 (ACAT-1) expression in THP-1-derived macrophages was investigated.The results showed that high concentrations of glucose up-regulated ACAT-1 expression in THP-1-derived macrophages.

Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Benzamides ; therapeutic use ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Exons ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Male ; Piperazines ; therapeutic use ; Point Mutation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pyrimidines ; therapeutic use

Objective To investigate the effect of chymase on the proliferation of rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and the role of transforming growth factor-?1 (TGF-?_1).Methods Cultured CFs of neonatal SD rats were isolated by trypsinization.Cell number and DNA synthesis were evaluated by MTT assay (A_(490) value) and [~3H]-deoxythy- midine [~3H]-TdR incorporation.The mRNA expression of TGF-?_1 in CFs was determined by RT-PCR.Results Chymase increased CFs numbers and [~3H]-TdR incorporation in a dose-dependent manner.The A_(490) value of CFs stimulated by 15,30 and 60 ng/mL chymase was 0.263?0.033,0.348?0.031 and 0.387?0.026,respectively, which were all significantly higher than that of control (0.201?0.019,P

Objective To isolate and culture sweat gland epithelial cells in vitro,and to study the effects of acetylcholine (ACh) on intracellular flee calcium concentration ([Ca~(2+)]i) of cultured sweat gland epithelial cells.Methods Sweat glands epithelial cells were collected by enzymatic digestion.After ACh was added to the primary and first passage cells,[Ca~(2+)]i was examined using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and the Ca~(2+) sensitive dye Fura 3/AM.Results The primary and first passage epithe- lial cells grew well.After ACh was added,opening of the calcium channel and significant [Ca~(2+)]i increase were observed when the primary and first passage cells were incubated with high concentration of calcium (2 mmol/L);no significant [Ca~(2+)]i increase was observed in those cultured without calcium.Conclusion Upon stimulation with ACh,calcium channels of cultured primary and first passage sweat gland epithelial cells would open,influx of extracellular Ca~(2+) occurred,which resulted in an increase of [Ca~(2+)]i.Extracellular bound calcium was therefore converted into intracellular free calcium.

Objective:To observe the efficacy, median progression-free survival (PFS) and adverse reaction induced by rh-endostatin injection (Endostar) plus platin-based chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods:Fifty five histologically or cytologically confirmed advanced NSCLC patients received Endostar combined with platin-based chemotherapy for more than 2 cycles. The evaluated parameters included PFS, response rate (RR), clinical benefit rate (CBR) and adverse reaction. Results:Of the 51 patients who can be evaluated for response, 15 (29.4%) achieved partial response (PR), 27 (52.9%) had stable disease (SD), 9 (17.6%) had progressive disease(PD), no patient had complete response(CR). The overall RR was 29.4% (15/51) and CBR was 82.4% (42/51). The median PFS was 6.3 months. There were no significant differences in the short-term efficacy and PFS between the patients who had different pathological features (P=0.037), those had naive or relapsed diseases (P=0.101), or those received different chemotherapeutic regimens (P=0.232). The total white cells and platelets decreased by 72.7% and 54.5%, respectively. The frequency of grade Ⅲ or Ⅳ neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were 36.4% (20 caces) and 21.8% (12 cases), respectively. Four patients stopped the therapy for adverse reaction. One died of gastrointestinal hemorrhage; one had uncontrolled grade Ⅲ hypertension; one had superventricular arrhythmia; one had grade Ⅳ hepatic dysfunction. Conclusion:The combination of Endostar and platin-based chemotherapy increased the CBR and prolonged the PFS of the patients with advanced NSCLC. The toxicities were tolerable.

Adult ; Hepatitis B ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Immunity, Active ; Liver Transplantation ; immunology ; methods ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVESTo examine the activities of transcription factors (TFs) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines with different metastatic potentials, so as to identify the TFs associated with HCC metastasis.

METHODSTranscription factor activity profile of Hep3B, MHCC97L and MHCC97H, three HCC cell lines with different metastatic potentials, were examined using protein/DNA array. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) and Western blot were used to confirm the results obtained by protein/DNA array.

RESULTSFrom a total of 345 screened TFs, 7 activity differential TFs were found, of which 5 showed increased activity, including p53, hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) and Sp1, and 2 showed decreased activity including Rb and Smad3.

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal functioning of transcription factors is closely associated with HCC metastasis. Our present findings could be of help in expanding our understanding of the mechanism of HCC metastasis and identify new predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Protein Array Analysis ; Transcription Factors ; classification ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo find the key factors that influence the content of the essential oil components of Atractylodes lancea and classify the habitat of A. lancea based the essential oil components, as well as explore a new method to conduct division of Chinese natural medicin through geographic information system (GIS) ultimately.

METHODThe key factors were obtained by canonical correlation and stepwise regressive analysis. Then the interpolation of climatic data for 30 years (1971-2000) was done by Sufer 7.0, and the habitat division was done by ARCGIS 9. 0.

RESULTThere were 6 correlation models between climate factors and 6 main essential oil componets were obtained, and a division map about essential oil components content of A. lancea base on clamate adaptability were drawn. It was found that the climate condition in Octobers played a key role on forming the essential oil components and the interaction of tempreture and precipitation was the most important factor on forming the essential oil components of A. lancea.

CONCLUSIONThe adaptive habitat for forming the essential oil components of A. lancea was different from growing A. lancea ones. And GIS can be used perspective for division of Chinese natural medicine.

Atractylodes ; chemistry ; growth & development ; radiation effects ; China ; Climate ; Ecosystem ; Geography ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development ; radiation effects ; Rain ; Sunlight ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo research the clinical feasibility of emergency right lobe adult-to-adult live-donor liver transplantation in treating acute liver failure following severe hepatitis.

METHODSConsecutive ten severe hepatitis patients (4 acute-on-chronic severe hepatitis and 6 acute severe hepatitis; 9 caused by HBV and 1 with drug-induced acute liver failure) underwent emergency right lobe adult-to-adult live-donor liver transplantation in our hospital from April 2007 to December 2007. The +/- s of model for end-stage liver disease score was 33.22 +/- 6.55. The outcomes of these recipients were prospectively analyzed.

RESULTSAmong them, 8 ABO blood group were identical and 2 compatible. One was Rh sub-group negative. Except 2 recipients died (1 acute renal failure caused by veno cava thrombosis, 1 liver graft lose caused by hepatic artery thrombosis), the rest of recipients (80%) and all donors were safe. The mean graft-to-recipient weight ratio was (1.19 +/- 0.14)%, and graft volume to recipient estimated standard liver volume ratio was (65.13 +/- 8.75)%. Right lobe grafts with middle hepatic vein (MHV) 3 cases, without MHV 4 cases, without MHV but followed by V and VIII hepatic vein outflow reconstruction 3 cases. Encouraging outcome was achieved in this group of recipient: elevated serum creatinine, serum endotoxin, decreased serum prothrombin activity (PTA) and total bilirubin returned to normal about on postoperative day (POD) 3, POD 7, POD 14 and POD 28, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSOutcomes of emergency right lobe adult-to-adult live-donor liver transplantation for acute hepatic failure following severe hepatitis are fairly encouraging and acceptable. emergency right lobe adult-to-adult live-donor liver transplantation is an effective and life-saving modality for acute liver failure following severe hepatitis.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Failure, Acute ; etiology ; surgery ; Liver Transplantation ; methods ; Living Donors ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome