Objective:The purpose of this study is to use the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology platform to detect the methylation rate of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten ( PTEN) promoter region in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue samples, and to analyze the clinical significance of its correlation with the prognosis of patients receiving sorafenib treatment. Methods:The 52 pairs of tumor tissue and para-cancerous tissue samples from HCC patients treated with sorafenib alone, which were collected and preserved in the Liver Tumor Diagnosis and Research Center of the former 302 Hospital of the People′s Liberation Army by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Youth Project with the project batch number 81702986 in 2018, were extracted total DNA from the samples. Then the DNA samples were treated with bisulfite and specific primers were designed to amplify the PTEN promoter region. Finally, the amplified products were analyzed by second-generation sequencing. In the analysis of clinical significance of PTEN methylation, log-rank statistical analysis was used to calculate whether there was a statistical difference in survival between the patient groups. Results:The methylation rate of PTEN promoter region in tumor tissues (29.17%±9.58%) was significantly higher than that in paracancer tissues (4.17%±2.86%)( t=19.970, P<0.05). At the same time, in HCC tissues, the methylation rate of the PTEN promoter region is negatively correlated with its expression ( F=47.270, P<0.000 1; Y=-1 800× X+38.03), and the PTEN methylation rate is negatively correlated with the prognosis of patients receiving the molecularly targeted drug Sorafenib (χ2=4.313, P<0.05). Conclusion:This study successfully established a new method for detecting methylation in the promoter region of PTEN, and the methylation rate of PTEN can be used as one of the targets of HCC diagnosis and targeted therapy.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential therapeutic effect of the sporoderm-removed Ganoderma lucidum spore tablet "Xianzhi No.3" from the perspective of immunomodulation and cardioprotection. METHODS Chemical components of the sporoderm-removed Ganoderma lucidum spore tablet "Xianzhi No.3" were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and colorimetric methods. Examined tablet’s effects on zebrafish models of macrophage reduction, heart failure, H2O2-induced oxidative stress in myocardial and endothelial cells, and a microglial inflammation model induced by lipopolysaccharide. Immune regulation and cardioprotective effects were evaluated through multiple indicators, including macrophage formation and phagocytosis abilities, anti-neuroinflammation ability, cardiac systolic and diastolic functions, and anti-oxidative stress injury ability in myocardial and endothelial cells. RESULTS The sporoderm-removed Ganoderma lucidum spore tablet "Xianzhi No.3" improved macrophage formation and phagocytosis, cardiac systolic and diastolic functions, reduced neuroinflammation, and alleviated oxidative stress in myocardial and endothelial cells, resulting in immunomodulatory and cardioprotective effects. CONCLUSION The sporoderm-removed Ganoderma lucidum spore tablet "Xianzhi No.3" maybe a potential therapeutic agent for regulating the immune system and protecting cardiac function.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) capsule for replenishing qi, nourishing yin and activating blood on Notch/Hes1 signaling pathway in the renal tissue and vascular endothelial CD34 and CD144 expressions in a rat model of diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: Rat models of early-stage diabetic nephropathy were established by left nephrectomy and high- fat and high- sugar feeding combined with intraperitoneal injection of STZ. The rats were randomized into model group, benazepril group, and high-, moderate-, and low-dose TCM capsule groups for corresponding treatments, with 6 normal rats as the control group. After 8 weeks of drug treatment, blood glucose and 24-h urinary albumin of the rats were measured, and the renal histopathology was observed with HE staining; Hes1 expression in the renal tissue was detected with immunohistochemical staining, and the renal expressions of CD34 and CD144 were detected using Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the rat models of diabetic nephropathy showed obvious abnormalities in 24- h urinary albumin and expressions of Hes1, CD34 and CD144d. The TCM capsule at both the high and moderate doses significantly reduced 24-h urinary albumin in the rats; the renal expressions of Hes1 and CD34 was significantly reduced in all the dose groups, and the expression of CD144 was significantly reduced in the high- dose group. Compared with benazepril group, the TCM capsule obviously reduced CD34 expression at all the 3 doses and lowered CD144 expression at the low dose. Histopathologically, the rats in the model group showed glomerular hypertrophy, increased mesenteric matrix, thickening and widening of the mesenteric membrane, and nodular hyperplasia. These pathologies were obviously alleviated by treatment with the TCM capsule at the high and moderate doses. CONCLUSIONS The Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) capsule for replenishing qi, nourishing yin and activating blood can reduce Hes1, CD34 and CD144 in kidney tissue of model rats, play a protective role on kidney function and delay the development of DN.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Qi ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factor HES-1