Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Shuangzhu Kangxian Prescription(Astragali Radix,bran-fried Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,vinegar-prepared Rhizoma Curcumae,Bupleuri Radix,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Litchi Semen)on improving hepatitic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)in rats based on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.Methods The rat model of hepatitic fibrosis was replicated by subcutaneous injection of 3.0 mL·kg-1 40%CCl4 twice a week for 8 weeks.SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group(n=8),model group(n=7),positive control group(n=7,intragastric administration of 43.19 mg·kg-1 silymarin),low-dose Chinese medicine group(n=6,intragastric administration of 4.3 g·kg-1Shuangzhu Kangxian Prescription),medium-dose Chinese medicine group(n=6,intragastric administration of 8.6 g·kg-1Shuangzhu Kangxian Prescription),high-dose Chinese medicine group(n=7,intragastric administration of 17.2 g·kg-1Shuangzhu Kangxian Prescription).The continuous intragastric administration was given once a day for 4 consective weeks,in addition to the blank control group,the other groups continued to be subcutaneously injected with CCl4 at the same time.The pathological changes of liver tissue were observed by HE and Masson staining.The levels of serum type Ⅳ collagen(Col Ⅳ),type Ⅲ procollagen(PC Ⅲ),hyaluronic acid(HA)and laminin(LN)were detected by ELISA.The protein expression levels of Wnt1,β-catenin and PPAR-γ in liver tissue were detected by Western Blot.The mRNA expression levels of Wnt1,β-catenin and PPAR-γ in liver tissue were detected by qPCR.Results Compared with the blank control group,the liver of the model group showed partial necrosis of liver cells,the normal hepatic lobule structure was destroyed,the arrangement of liver cell cords was disordered,the central vein or portal area was enlarged,and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated to form bridging necrosis.The collagen fibers in the central vein or portal area of the liver proliferated significantly,forming fibrous septa,and the fibrosis score were significantly increased(P＜0.05).The levels of serum Col IV,PC Ⅲ,HA and LN were significantly increased(P＜0.05).The protein and mRNA expression levels of Wnt1 and β-catenin in liver tissue were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the protein and mRNA expression levels of PPAR-γ were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the steatosis of hepatocytes in the positive control group and the medium-and high-dose groups of Chinese medicine was improved,and the necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration were reduced.The degree of hepatitic fibrosis was improved,the liver collagen fibers were reduced,and the fibrosis score was significantly reduced(P＜0.05).The levels of serum Col Ⅳ,PC Ⅲ,HA and LN were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).The protein and mRNA expression levels of Wnt1 and β-catenin in liver tissue were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the protein and mRNA expression levels of PPAR-γ were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Shuangzhu Kangxian Prescription has the effect of anti CCl4-induced hepatitic fibrosis in rats,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and up-regulation of PPAR-γ expression.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the protective effect of the probiotic bacterium Streptococcus salivarius K12 (K12) against Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) infection in mice. METHODS: Forty male BALB/c mice were randomized into normal control group, K12 treatment group, Mp infection group, and K12 pretreatment prior to Mp infection group. The probiotic K12 was administered daily by gavage for 14 days before Mp infection induced by intranasal instillation of Mp. Three days after Mp infection, the mice were euthanized for analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell counts and serum levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). RT-qPCR was performed to detect the P1 and community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome ( CARDS ) toxin of Mp in the lung tissues and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, chemokine 1 (CXCL1), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), mucin 5ac (MUC5ac), collagen 3a1 (Col3a1), Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4; the protein expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 in the lung tissue were detected using Western blotting. Pathological changes in the lung tissue and airway remodeling were examined with HE staining and AB/PAS staining. RESULTS: Compared with the Mp-infected mice with PBS treatment, the infected mice with K12 treatment showed significantly lowered mRNA levels of P1 and CARDS in the lung tissue and reduced white blood cell counts in the BALF (P<0.05). In spite of the absence of significant differences in serum levels of inflammatory factors between the two groups, the mRNA expressions of TNF‑α, IL-6, CXCL1, MMP9, MUC5ac and COL3A1 and the mRNA and protein levels of TLR2 and TLR4 in the lung tissues were significantly lower in K12-treated mice, in which AB/PAS staining showed obviously decreased mucus secretion. CONCLUSIONS K12 pretreatment can effectively reduce pulmonary inflammatory responses, improve airway remodeling and alleviate lung injury in Mp-infected mice.
Animals ; Mice ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Toll-Like Receptor 2/metabolism* ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Male ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Lung/microbiology* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Streptococcus salivarius ; Probiotics/administration & dosage* ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism* ; Mucin 5AC/metabolism* ; Chemokine CXCL1/metabolism* ; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory/metabolism* ; Bacterial Toxins ; Bacterial Proteins

To preliminarily understand the pathogenic mechanism of Mycoplasma genitalium (Mg) GroEL protein, we used bioinformatics tools to predict the structure and function of Mg GroEL protein and then constructed the recombinant plasmid pET-28a-GroEL. The protein expression was induced by 0.2 mmol/L IPTG, and the expressed protein was purified by Ni-iminodicitic acid (IDA) column affinity. Tohoku Hospital Pediatrics-1 (THP-1) cells were exposed to 2 μg/mL Mg rGroEL. The levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the cell supernatant were measured by ELISA, and that of IL-6 was measured by an automatic chemiluminescence instrument. The activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway was visualized by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. The results showed that Mg GroEL was a stable hydrophilic protein composed of 543 amino acid residues, with the relative molecular mass of 58.44 kDa, an isoelectric point of 5.68, and a molecular formula of C₂₅₆₈H₄₃₀₀N₇₀₀O₈₂₅S₈. The secondary structure was mainly composed of α-helices and random coils. Mg GroEL contained 12 B-cell dominant epitopes and 10 T-cell dominant epitopes. It exhibited high homology with the GroEL proteins from Mycoplasma pneumoniae, M. agalactiae, M. arthritidis, M. hyopneumoniae, and M. bovis. Mg rGroEL activated the NF-κB signaling pathway and promoted the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in THP-1 cells. These results suggest that Mg GroEL exhibits substantial antigenicity and possesses the capability of triggering inflammation in host cells. This study establishes a theoretical basis for future investigations pertaining to the role and pathogenic mechanisms of Mg GroEL.
Mycoplasma genitalium/metabolism* ; Chaperonin 60/metabolism* ; Computational Biology ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics* ; Humans ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Recombinant Proteins/genetics* ; THP-1 Cells ; Signal Transduction ; Escherichia coli/metabolism*

Gastric cancer is a common malignant tumor of the gastrointestinal tract， with the pathogenesis remains to be fully elucidated. Although surgery， radiotherapy， chemotherapy， targeted therapy， and immunotherapy have demonstrated obvious clinical efficacy in the treatment of gastric cancer， the patients suffer from complications and adverse effects. Basic experiments and clinical studies have proved that Chinese medicine can treat gastric cancer in a multi-component and multi-target manner， the mechanisms of which remain to be deciphered. Therefore， the mechanism of Chinese medicine against gastric cancer needs to be unveiled by network pharmacology and tools of molecular biology. According to Chinese medicine， the occurrence of gastric cancer is mainly attributed to liver Qi stagnation， phlegm stasis and Qi stagnation， body fluid deficiency and heat accumulation， deficiency of healthy Qi， and cancer toxin accumulation. According to the available literature， herbal compound formulas such as Sancao Tiaowei decoction， Xiaojianzhong decoction， and Yiqi Huayu Jiedu decoction focus on tonifying， clearing heat， and detoxifying， while herbal active components are mainly insecticidal， heat-clearing， blood-activating， stasis-removing， and Qi-regulating drugs. The therapeutic effects of these Chinese medicines are consistent with the etiology and pathogenesis of gastric cancer. It has been demonstrated that Chinese medicines play a role in promoting apoptosis and autophagy， blocking cell cycle， and reversing cellular drug resistance to treat gastric cancer by regulating phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt）， mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB）， transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）/Smad， Wnt/β-catenin， and Hedgehog signaling pathways， while there is a lack of systematic understanding. By systematically summarizing the signaling pathways related to the regulation of gastric cancer by Chinese medicine， this study aims to clarify the molecular mechanisms of Chinese medicine against the development， invasion， and metastasis of gastric cancer， with a view to providing new targets， perspectives， and ideas for the treatment of gastric cancer and promoting the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of total flavone of Litchi Semen （TFL） on proliferation， apoptosis， migration， and invasion of hepatoma cells HepG2. MethodMethyl thiazolyl tetrazolium colorimetric （MTT） assay was used to detect the effect of different-dose TFL and cisplatin on the proliferation of HepG2 cells. TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） assay was used to detect the effects of low， medium， and high-dose （70， 140， 210 mg·L^-1） of TFL and cisplatin （60 mg·L^-1） on the apoptosis of HepG2 cells， thus selecting the optimal dose of TFL for the follow-up experiment. HepG2 cells were divided into a blank group， a TFL group （140 mg·L^-1）， a TFL+XL019 group （140 mg·L^-1 TFL+0.5 μmol·L^-1 XL019）， and a TFL+TPI-1 group （140 mg·L^-1 TFL+1 μmol·L^-1 TPI-1）. The effect of TFL on migration and invasion of HepG2 cells were examined by wound healing test and Transwell invasion assay， and the effect of TFL on the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） marker in HepG2 cells were examined by cell immunofluorescence assay. Western blot was used to detect the expression of key proteins in Janus kinase 2（JAK2）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） signaling pathway after the intervention by TFL. ResultMTT assay showed that the proliferation of HepG2 cells was significantly inhibited by TFL and cisplatin at 24 and 48 h as compared with blank group （P<0.01）， and the half maximal inhibitory concentration （IC₅₀） of TFL on HepG2 cells was （136.7±2.40） mg·L^-1 at 24 h and （106.8±1.11） mg·L^-1 at 48 h. The IC₅₀ of cisplatin on HepG2 cells was （58.48±2.04） mg·L^-1 at 24 h and （5.15±0.56） mg·L^-1 at 48 h. The results of TUNEL assay showed that TFL induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells. The optimal dose of TFL was 140 mg·L^-1. The results of wound healing test showed that compared with the blank group， the TFL group， TFL+XL019 group， and the TFL+TPI-1 group significantly inhibited the migration of HepG2 cells （P<0.05， P<0.01）. As compared with the TFL group， the inhibitory effect of the TFL+XL019 Group was significantly increased （P<0.05）， while that of the TFL+TPI-1 group was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The Transwell invasion assay showed that compared with the blank group， the TFL group， TFL+XL019 group， and the TFL+TPI-1 group significantly inhibited the invasion of HepG2 cells （P<0.01）. As compared with the TFL group， the inhibitory effect of the TFL+XL019 group was significantly increased （P<0.05）， while that of the TFL+TPI-1 group was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The results of immunofluorescence showed the intervention of TFL up-regulated the expression of E-cadherin， and down-regulated the expression of Vimentin in HepG2 cells， which was stronger in the TFL+XL019 group and weaker in the TFL+TPI-1 group. The results of Western blot showed that compared with the blank group， the TFL group， TFL+XL019 group， and the TFL+TPI-1 group did not affect the expression of JAK2 or STAT3 protein， but significantly decreased the expression levels of phosphorylatied （p）-JAK2 and p-STAT3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. As compared with the TFL group， the expression levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in the TFL+XL019 group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， while those in the TFL+TPI-1 group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the TFL group significantly increased the expression level of Src-homology domain 2 containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1（SHP-1） with sh2 domain （P<0.01）. ConclusionTFL has the effects of inhibiting the proliferation， promoting apoptosis of HepG2 cells， and reversing the EMT process of HepG2 cells to reduce the migration and invasion， which are presumably related to the activation of SHP-1 by TFL to block JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Ras-associated domain family 1A (RASSF1A) genes are members of the RASSF family, which bind to Ras in a guanosine triphosphate(GTP)-dependent manner and then induce Ras-mediated apoptosis. The protein encoded by the RASSF1A gene is similar to the Ras effector protein, which can interact with DNA repair protein XPA, and can also inhibit the accumulation of cyclin D1, thereby inducing cell cycle arrest. The deletion or abnormal expression of RASSF1A gene is related to the pathogenesis of various malignant tumors, indicating that it has tumor suppressor function. RASSF1A gene methylation has been found in at least 37 tumors, and RASSF1A gene may be the most frequently described methylated gene in human cancers. In this paper, the abnormal methylation of RASSF1A gene in different malignant tumors was introduced, and the research progress of its related effects and mechanisms in malignant tumors of the respiratory system, digestive system, genitourinary system, and nervous system in recent years was reviewed, with a view to malignant tumors early diagnosis, individual molecular targeted therapy and prognostic evaluation provide important guidance.

The current document is based on a consensus reached by a panel of experts from the Chinese Society of Allergy and the Chinese Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rhinology Group. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) affects approximately 8% of Chinese adults. The inflammatory and remodeling mechanisms of CRS in the Chinese population differ from those observed in the populations of European descent. Recently, precision medicine has been used to treat inflammation by targeting key biomarkers that are involved in the process. However, there are no CRS guidelines or a consensus available from China that can be shared with the international academia. The guidelines presented in this paper cover the epidemiology, economic burden, genetics and epigenetics, mechanisms, phenotypes and endotypes, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, management, and the current status of CRS in China. These guidelines—with a focus on China—will improve the abilities of clinical and medical staff during the treatment of CRS. Additionally, they will help international agencies in improving the verification of CRS endotypes, mapping of eosinophilic shifts, the identification of suitable biomarkers for endotyping, and predicting responses to therapies. In conclusion, these guidelines will help select therapies, such as pharmacotherapy, surgical approaches and innovative biotherapeutics, which are tailored to each of the individual CRS endotypes.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biomarkers ; China ; Consensus ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drug Therapy ; Eosinophils ; Epidemiology ; Epigenomics ; Genetics ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Inflammation ; International Agencies ; Medical Staff ; Neck ; Phenotype ; Precision Medicine

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global health problem that causes major illnesses and disabilities worldwide. Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that the prevalence of AR has increased progressively over the last few decades in more developed countries and currently affects up to 40% of the population worldwide. Likewise, a rising trend of AR has also been observed over the last 2–3 decades in developing countries including China, with the prevalence of AR varying widely in these countries. A survey of self-reported AR over a 6-year period in the general Chinese adult population reported that the standardized prevalence of adult AR increased from 11.1% in 2005 to 17.6% in 2011. An increasing number of original articles and imporclinical trials on the epidemiology, pathophysiologic mechanisms, diagnosis, management and comorbidities of AR in Chinese subjects have been published in international peer-reviewed journals over the past 2 decades, and substantially added to our understanding of this disease as a global problem. Although guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AR in Chinese subjects have also been published, they have not been translated into English and therefore not generally accessible for reference to non-Chinese speaking international medical communities. Moreover, methods for the diagnosis and treatment of AR in China have not been standardized entirely and some patients are still treated according to regional preferences. Thus, the present guidelines have been developed by the Chinese Society of Allergy to be accessible to both national and international medical communities involved in the management of AR patients. These guidelines have been prepared in line with existing international guidelines to provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of AR in China.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; China ; Comorbidity ; Developed Countries ; Developing Countries ; Diagnosis* ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Epidemiology ; Global Health ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis, Allergic*

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers in nasal polyposis (NP) and to determine the effect of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) on EMT in cultured nasal epithelial cells.

METHODSThe specimens were obtained from sinus mucosa of 10 NP patients and inferior turbinate mucosa of 10 nasal septum deviation patients. The difference of mRNA expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin , zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in tissue and cultured nasal epithelial cells was detected by real-time PCR. The difference of protein exprssion of E-cadherin and vimentin in cultured nasal epithelial cells was detected by Western blot.SPSS 16.0 software was used to analyze the data.

RESULTSThe relative expression of E-cadherin and ZO-1 in NP tissues (0.012±0.007; 0.006±0.003) was higher than in normal nasal mucosa (0.041±0.024; 0.011±0.005), the difference was significant (t=3.675, P<0.01; t=2.956, P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the relative expression of β-catenin, vimentin and α-SMA between two groups (t value was 0.990, 0.429, 0.326, all P>0.05). In cultured nasal epithelial cells both from two groups, TGF-β1 induced the decreased E-cadherin, ZO-1 (tcontrol value was 3.639, 3.430, both P<0.05; tNP value was 3.279, 2.864, both P<0.05) and increased α-SMA, vimentin mRNA expression (tcontrol value was -6.393, -3.085, all P<0.05; tNP value was -2.981, -3.087, both P<0.05). Also, TGF-β1 induced the decreased E-cadherin and increased vimentin protein expression (tcontrol value was 3.583, -3.844, both P<0.05; tNP value was 5.113, -3.642, both P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEMT is likely to contribute to nasal polyposis and TGF-β1 is involved in this process.

Actins ; metabolism ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Humans ; Nasal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Nasal Polyps ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Zonula Occludens-1 Protein ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; metabolism