BACKGROUNDEpigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been demonstrated to have anti-neoplastic activity, but the effective concentration of EGCG and its possible mechanisms are uncertain. The study on the killing effects of EGCG on different digestive tract cancer cell lines can find target sites of its anti-neoplastic effect and provide a theoretical basis for its clinical application in the treatment of cancers.

METHODSMethyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) analysis was made to detect the differential sensitivities of eight digestive tract cancer cell lines to EGCG. The effect of EGCG on cell cycle distribution of sensitive cancer cell line was measured by flow cytometry. By polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) protocol, the influence of EGCG on telomerase activity of sensitive cancer cell line was also investigated. RT-PCR method was employed to detect the influence of EGCG on the expressions of hTERT, c-myc, p53 and mad1 genes in sensitive cancer cell line.

RESULTSEGCG exhibited dose-dependent killing effects on all eight digestive tract cancer cell lines. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of SW1116, MKN45, BGC823, SGC7901, AGS, MKN28, HGC27 and LoVo cells were 51.7 micromol/L, 55.9 micromol/L, 68.5 micromol/L, 79.1 micromol/L, 83.8 micromol/L, 119.8 micromol/L, 183.2 micromol/L and 194.6 micromol/L, respectively. There were no apparent changes in cell cycle distribution of sensitive cancer cell line MKN45 48 hours after incubating with three different concentrations of EGCG compared with the controls. It was found that EGCG could suppress the telomerase activity of MKN45 cells, and the effects were dose- and time-dependent. After EGCG administration, the expression of hTERT and c-myc genes in MKN45 cells was decreased, that of the mad1 gene increased, and that of the p53 gene unchanged.

CONCLUSIONSEGCG has dose-dependent killing effects on different digestive tract cancer cell lines. Administration of EGCG has no obvious effect on cell cycle distribution of sensitive cancer cell line MKN45. The anti-neoplastic activity of EGCG might be due to the inhibition of telomerase activity by means of its influence on hTERT and the up-stream regulation genes.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Catechin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Digestive System Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Genes, myc ; Genes, p53 ; Humans ; Telomerase ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Qingfei Peiyuan Micro-pill (QPM) on HIV/AIDS patients with pulmonary infection of phlegm heat obstructing lung syndrome (PHOLS).

METHODSTotally 141 HIV/AIDS patients with pulmonary infection of PHOLS were randomly assigned to the treatment group (94 cases) and the control group (47cases). On the basis of Western medicine, patients in the treatment group took QPM. The therapeutic course for all was 28 days. The improvement of symptoms and signs was observed. The body temperature (BT), chest X ray, and white blood cells (WBCs) were detected.

RESULTSThe Chinese medical syndrome score was lower in the treatment group than in the control group at the 7th, 21st, and 28th day of treatment, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The efficacy was better in the treatment group than in the control group at the 7th, 21st, and 28th day of treatment, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The BT was lower in the treatment group than in the control group on the 7th day. There was no statistical difference in the patient number with normal WBCs on the 7th day (P > 0.05). But there was statistical difference in the patient number with normal WBCs on the 14th, 21st, and 28th day of treatment (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the patient number with normal chest X ray on the 7th and 28th day of treatment (P > 0.05). But there was statistical difference in the patient number with normal chest X ray on the 14th and 21 st day of treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONQPM had certain complementary effect on HIV/AIDS patients with pulmonary infection of PHOLS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; complications ; Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; complications ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the differential proteomic expression in human liver cells L-02 after exposure to HQ.

METHODSSubcultured L-02 cells were treated by HQ for 24 h at a 1 x 10(-4) mol/L concentration and a blank group was set as the control. Immediately after the treatment, total cellular proteins were extracted and separated by 2-DE, and the images were analyzed by PDQuest software. The experiment was totally repeated 3 times with 3 repetitions for each group every time. The well repeated spots were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and then searched in NCBI human protein database with Mascot.

RESULTSAbout 1,000 spots per gel were found. Compared with the control group, 17, 18 and 24 spots were significantly altered in 3 separate experiments. The 4 well repeated spots were identified by MALDI-TOF MS as Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor GDI alpha, 6-phosphogluconolactonase, erbB3 binding protein EBP1 and lamin A/C, isoform 1 precursor. They were involved in cell skeleton, signal transduction and energy metabolization in functional classification.

CONCLUSIONHydroquinone can change the protein expression in liver cells, which provides clues for exploring the toxic mechanism.

Cell Line ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hydroquinones ; toxicity ; Mass Spectrometry ; Proteomics ; Reproducibility of Results

PURPOSE: To provide a systematic review with meta-analysis for addressing the relationship between fecal bile acids (FBAs) and colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for all observational studies that examined the relationship between FBAs and colorectal cancer or adenoma, and calculated weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Publication bias was assessed with funnel plot. RESULTS: Twenty case-control or cohort studies were identified. All studies were pooled to assess the relationship between total FBAs and cancer/adenoma of the large bowel, however, no association was seen (WMD 0.61mg/g freeze-dried feces; 95% CI: -0.35-1.57). Significantly increased concentration of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) was seen while pooling to assess the relationship between CDCA and cancer/adenoma of the large bowel (WMD 0.13 mg/g freeze-dried feces; 95% CI: 0.01-0.25), especially for colorectal cancer (WMD 0.28mg/g freeze-dried feces; 95% CI: 0.10-0.46). However, no significant differences in deoxycholic acid (DCA), lithocholic acid (LCA), and primary and secondary bile acids, were seen between patients with cancer and patients with matched controls regardless of fixed and random effects models. CONCLUSION: CDCA might play a role in the etiology of colorectal cancer.
Bile Acids and Salts/*metabolism ; Carcinoma/etiology/*metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Cohort Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms/etiology/*metabolism ; Feces/*chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Male

To study relevant risk factors of Shenmai injection induced adverse reactions by using Logistic model and ROC curve, and made the prediction for the occurrence of relevant adverse reactions/events. Case data of patients treated with Shenmai injection were collected by using the prospective, multi-center, large-sample, nested-case control method, in order to analyze the risk factors of Shenmai injection-induced adverse reactions/events, establish the logistic model and draw the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for risk factors. During the study, 7632 patients (including 3 477 males and 4 155 females) were included, and eight of them suffered adverse reactions/events. Based on a multi-factor Logistic model analysis, the age (> or = 50 years) (OR = 5.061, 95% CI: 2.197-7.924; P = 0.001), the total number of medication days (OR = -1.020, 95% CI: -l.652 - 0.388; P = 0.002) and the single dose (OR = 0.245, 95% CI: 0.127-0.364; P = 0.000) were significant independent risk factors for Shenmai injection-induced adverse reactions/events. According to the results, ROC curves were drawn with age (> or = 50 years), the total number of days of inedication and single dose; The area under ROC curves the joint predictor (0.9753, 95% CI: 0.9443-1.000, P < 0.005) was larger than that of the other three single indexes, with a higher risk prediction value. The independent risk factors for Shenmai injection-induced adverse reactions/events included the age (> or = 50 years), the total number of days of medication and single dose. In clinical practice, the age (> or = 50 years), the total number of days of medication and the medication dose can be substituted in the joint predictor calculation formula (P = 1 / [1 + e(-(-21.58 + 5.061 x Xage - 1.020 x Xd + 0.245 x X(mL)] to predict the potential adverse reactions of patients and adjust the dosage regimen.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

Rolling circle amplification (RCA) is a newly developed experimental technique that can specific ally amplify circular DNA. Since 2008, RCA has been extensively used in hepatitis B virus (HBV) research, such as the amplification of the full-length sequence of the HBV genome, and the analysis of the drug-resistant mutations of HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), amongst others. To create an easy assay for the analysis of duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) cccDNA, this study established an RCA-based method. DHBV cccDNA was amplified from the DHBV DNA samples of duck liver with four pairs of sulfur-modified primers, which were designed according to the highly conserved sequence of DHBV using sera DHBV DNA as the negative control. DHBV cccDNA was detected in the obtained RCA products by the sequencing of RCA amplicons that were amplified with primer pairs on both sides of the gap of DH BV relaxed circular DNA, rather than by digesting RCA products with a restriction enzyme. The liver and sera DHBV DNA samples of 39 ducks infected with DHBV were examined with the RCA-based DHBV cccDNA detection method, and the results showed that while DHBV cccDNA was detected from all 39 liver DHBV DNA samples, no DHBV cccDNA was found in any of the sera DHBV DNA samples. These results suggest that the method established in the study is highly specific and sensitive for the detection of DHBV cccDNA. The establishment of this RCA-based DHBV method for cccDNA detection lays the groundwork for using a DHBV model to study the role of cccDNA in the pathogenesis of hepatitis B and to evaluate the effect of anti-virus therapies.
Animals ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; DNA, Circular ; genetics ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Ducks ; Hepadnaviridae Infections ; veterinary ; virology ; Hepatitis B Virus, Duck ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Liver ; virology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Poultry Diseases ; virology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) overexpressing human receptor activity modified protein 1 (hRAMP1) by adenovirus vector on infarction related inflammation and cardiac repair in a rabbit model of myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODSThirty rabbits underwent coronary artery ligation for 60 minutes followed by 24 hours reperfusion and divided into MSC(hRAMP1) group (intravenously injection of MSCs transfected with adenovirus vector encoding hRAMP1 gene enhanced green fluorescent protein, EGFP, n = 10), MSC(null) group (MSCs transfected with adenovirus vector encoding only EGFP without hRAMP1 gene, n = 10) and control group (equally volume of phosphate buffered saline, PBS, n = 10). The plasma level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were quantified by ELISA assay at before and 1, 3, 7, 28 days after induction of MI. The expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and hRAMP1 in infracted myocardium were measured by Western blot at 1, 3, 7, 28 day following MI. The area of MI and collagen deposition and fibrosis were evaluated by TTC staining and Masson staining, respectively.

RESULTSArea of MI and collagen content were significantly reduced in MSC(hRAMP1) group compared those in MSC(null) and control group [(10.1 ± 2.9)% vs. (30.6 ± 2.7)% and (22.5 ± 3.2)%, P < 0.05]. Myocardial expression of NF-κB and plasma TNF-α[7 days after transplantation: (97.2 ± 6.7) pg/ml vs. (207.6 ± 12.7) pg/ml and (153.2 ± 9.9) pg/ml, P < 0.05] were also lower while plasma level of IL-10 [7 days after transplantation: (238.5 ± 17.5) pg/ml vs. (177.3 ± 19.8) pg/ml and (244.6 ± 27.3) pg/ml, P < 0.05] was significantly higher in MSC(hRAMP1) group than in MSC(null) and control group.

CONCLUSIONMSCs overexpression hRAMP1 could further reduce area of MI possibly through inhibiting the myocardial expression of NF-κB and reducing the plasma TNF-α level and raising plasma IL-10 level.

Amino Acid Motifs ; Animals ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Receptor Activity-Modifying Protein 1 ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of gene expression in rat neurons induced by 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) and to screen for the RF EMF-responsive genes.

METHODSNewly-born SD rats in 24 hours were sacrificed to obtain cortex and hippocampus neurons. The cells were divided randomly into two groups: the experiment group (the irradiation group) and the control group (the false irradiation group). In the irradiation group, after twelve days' culture, neurons were exposed to 1.8 GHz RF EMF modulated by 217 Hz at a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 2 W/kg for 24 hours (5 minutes on/10 minutes off) while in the false control group, the neurons were put in the same waveguide as in the irradiation group, but were not exposed to any irradiation. The total RNA was isolated and purified immediately after exposure. The affymetrix rat neurobiology U34 assay was used for detecting the changes in gene expression profile according to the manufacturer's instruction. RF EMF-responsive candidate gene was confirmed by using ribonuclease protection assay (RPA).

RESULTSAmong 1200 candidate genes, the expression levels of 34 genes were up or down regulated. Microtubule associated protein 2 (Map2) gene was selected as the candidate and subjected to further analysis. RPA data clearly revealed that Map2 was statistically significantly up-regulated after neurons were exposed to the RF EMF (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe modulation of gene expression and function of Map2 as a neuron specific cytoskeleton protein is crucial to maintain the normal framework and function of neurons. The finding that 1.8 GHz RF EMF exposure increases the expression of Map2 might indicate some unknown effects of RF EMF on neurons.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Phone ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Down-Regulation ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Female ; Gene Expression ; radiation effects ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Neurons ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Radio Waves ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Up-Regulation

Aim Study the interaction between metho-trexate and levetiracetam after oral administration and hepatorenal toxicity in rats, to provide theoretical basis for the clinical rational use of two drugs. Methods Male SD rats ( 250 ± 20 ) g were selected as experi-mental animals. Rats were randomly divided into 3 groups ( 1 mg·kg-1methotrexate group, 180 mg· kg-1 levetiracetam group, combined group), 5 rats in each group. The following experiment was carried out:(1) pharmacokinetic parameters study; (2) renal ex-cretion study; (3) liver and kidney toxicity study. All samples were determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry ( UPLC/MS/MS) . Results After the combination of two drugs, the Cmax, AUC0-t and Tmax of methotrexate in-creased, T1/2, Cl and MRT of methotrexate decreased, the differences was statistically significant. The Tmax, T1/2, Cl, MRT of levetiracetam had a certain upward trend, AUC0-t had a certain downward trend, the differences has no statistically significant. After combi-nation of two drugs, the renal excretion of methotrexate increased significantly, the renal excretion of levetirac-etam decreased significantly and hepatorenal toxicity increased significantly. Conclusion After combina-tion of two drugs by oral administration, Levetiracetam significantly increased methotrexate absorption in rats. Levetiracetam increased the plasma concentration and renal excretion of methotrexate and caused hepatorenal toxicity significantly. It is suggested that dose adjust-ment is necessary for combination of two drugs.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effects of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic duodenal-jejunal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADJB-SG) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a low body mass index (BMI) of 25-27.5.

METHODSThirty-one type 2 diabetic patients with a BMI of 25-27.5 underwent bariatric surgeries in the General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command between August, 2013 and August, 2015. The patients receiving LRYGB (17 cases) and SADJB-SG (14 cases) were compared for physical indexes, glucose metabolism and of pancreatic islet function at 1 year after the surgeries.

RESULTSNo mortality occurred in the patients after the operations. At 1 year after the operation, the patients in LRYGB group showed significant improvements in body weight, BMI, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), oral glucose tolerance test 2 h (OGTT2h), C-peptide, fasting insulin (FINS), and postprandial 2 hour insulin (2 hPINS) (P<0.05); in SADJB-SG group, significant improvements were observed in the body weigh, BMI, HbA1c, FPG, OGTT2h, and FINS after the operation (P<0.05). The postoperative improvements in body weigh, BMI, HbA1c, FPG, OGTT2h, C-peptide, and 2hPINS were comparable between SADJB-SG group and LRYGB group (P>0.05), but the incidence of postoperative anastomotic ulcer was lower in SADJB-SG group.

CONCLUSIONSADJB-SG and LRYGB produce similar therapeutic effects in type 2 diabetic patients with a low BMI, but SADJB-SG is associated with a low incidence of postoperative complications and is therefore more suitable in such patients.