1.The effects of galangin on the apoptosis and autophagy of gastric cancer NCI-N87 cells through regulating the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway
GUO Fang ; CHEN Wei ; LIU Meng ; ZOU Yanli ; TIAN Xia
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2026;33(1):59-65
[摘 要] 目的:探讨高良姜素(Gal)调控AMPK/mTOR/ULK1信号通路对胃癌细胞凋亡和自噬的影响及其机制。方法:将胃癌NCI-N87细胞分为对照组、多索吗啡(DM)组、Gal低剂量(Gal-L)组、Gal高剂量(Gal-H)组、Gal-H + DM组。采用MTT法、流式细胞术、划痕愈合实验和Transwell实验分别检测各组细胞的增殖、凋亡、迁移和侵袭能力,WB法检测PCNA、C-caspase-3、免疫逃逸相关蛋白(B7H1)、EMT和AMPK/mTOR/ULK1信号通路蛋白的表达水平。建立裸鼠NCI-N87细胞移植瘤模型,观察Gal和5-FU对移植瘤的抑制效果。结果:与对照组比较,DM组NCI-N87细胞增殖活性、划痕愈合率和侵袭细胞数、N-cadherin、vimentin、PCNA、B7H1、p62和p-mTOR/mTOR蛋白表达均显著升高(均P < 0.05),细胞凋亡率、C-caspase-3、E-cadherin、LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ、p-AMPK/AMPK和p-ULK1/ULK1蛋白表达均显著降低(均P < 0.05);Gal-L组和Gal-H组NCI-N87细胞的增殖活性、划痕愈合率和侵袭细胞数、N-cadherin、vimentin、PCNA、B7H1、p62和p-mTOR/mTOR蛋白表达均显著降低(均P < 0.05),细胞凋亡率、C-caspase-3、E-cadherin、LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ、p-AMPK/AMPK和p-ULK1/ULK1蛋白表达均显著升高(均P < 0.05);DM可部分逆转Gal对NCI-N87细胞恶性生物学行为的抑制作用(P < 0.05);与对照组比较,Gal组和5-FU组裸鼠移植瘤体积和质量均显著降低,肿瘤组织细胞凋亡率显著升高(P < 0.05)。结论:Gal可促进胃癌NCI-N87细胞自噬和凋亡,抑制其增殖、迁移和侵袭,可能与激活AMPK/mTOR/ULK1信号通路有关。
2.Effect and Mechanism of Icariin on Improving Spermatogenesis in Exercise-induced Fatigue Model Mice Through Regucalcin
Kunyang TANG ; Min XIAO ; Xiaocui JIANG ; Xiaoxue TAO ; Yue ZOU ; Chunchun ZHAO ; Zhipeng FANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):117-127
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the effects of icariin on spermatogenesis in mice with exercise-induced fatigue and explore the underlying mechanisms. MethodsICR male mice were screened by swimming and randomly divided into normal group, model group, vitamin C group, icariin groups with low, medium, and high doses, and medium-dose icariin+N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) group, with 10 mice per group. Except for the normal group, all the other groups underwent weighted swimming training to establish an exercise-induced fatigue model. No gavage was administered during the first two weeks of the weighted training. From week three to four, the icariin groups with low, medium, and high doses received 0.03, 0.06, and 0.12 g·kg-1 icariin via gavage, respectively. The vitamin C group received 0.2 g·kg-1 vitamin C. The L-NAME group received 0.06 g·kg-1 icariin and 0.01 g·kg-1 L-NAME via intraperitoneal injection. The normal and model groups received equivalent physiological saline. After the experiment, body weight and the last exhaustive swimming time were recorded. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lactate (LA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), testicular testosterone (T), testicular Ca2+/Mg2+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) (micro-assay), and the levels of testicular cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were measured by using kits. Sperm CD46 levels were detected by flow cytometry. Testicular seminiferous tubules were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the testicular morphometric score (TMS) was used to evaluate the spermatogenic function. Protein expression of regucalcin (RGN, SMP30), cGMP-dependent protein kinase 1 (PKG), and cGMP-dependent protein kinase anchoring protein (GKAP1) was detected by Western blot. Testicular regucalcin expression was examined by immunofluorescence (IF). The epididymal sperm quality of mice was observed under a microscope. Fluorescence-stained sections of stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (STRA8), synaptonemal complex protein 3 (SCP3), and transition protein 1(TNP1) in testicular seminiferous tubules were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed decreased body weight and exhaustive swimming time (P<0.01), significantly increased fatigue markers (LA, LDH, and BUN) and lipid peroxidation product MDA (P<0.01), reduced testicular RGN, PKG, GKAP1, testosterone, Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase, and cGMP levels (P<0.01), decreased sperm motility, sperm count, and TMS scores, and downregulated the expression of STRA8, SCP3, and TNP1. Compared with the model group, the icariin group with high dose exhibited increased exhaustive swimming time (P<0.01), reduced LA, LDH, BUN, and MDA levels (P<0.01), elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P<0.01), upregulated testicular RGN, PKG, GKAP1, testosterone, Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase, and cGMP levels (P<0.01), improved sperm motility, sperm count, and TMS scores, and enhanced STRA8, SCP3, and TNP1 expression. Compared with the L-NAME group, the icariin group with medium dose showed increased expression of STRA8, SCP3, and TNP1 in the testicular tissue (P<0.01) and elevated cGMP and GKAP1 levels (P<0.01). ConclusionExercise-induced fatigue reduces the expression of RGN and cGMP/PKG/GKAP1 in mice, thereby causing abnormal spermatogenesis and impairing reproductive function in mice. Icariin ameliorates spermatogenic dysfunction in exercise-induced fatigue mice by promoting the expression of RGN and cGMP/PKG/GKAP1, thereby mitigating the damage of exercise-induced fatigue to the reproductive system.
3.Effect and Mechanism of Icariin on Improving Spermatogenesis in Exercise-induced Fatigue Model Mice Through Regucalcin
Kunyang TANG ; Min XIAO ; Xiaocui JIANG ; Xiaoxue TAO ; Yue ZOU ; Chunchun ZHAO ; Zhipeng FANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):117-127
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the effects of icariin on spermatogenesis in mice with exercise-induced fatigue and explore the underlying mechanisms. MethodsICR male mice were screened by swimming and randomly divided into normal group, model group, vitamin C group, icariin groups with low, medium, and high doses, and medium-dose icariin+N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) group, with 10 mice per group. Except for the normal group, all the other groups underwent weighted swimming training to establish an exercise-induced fatigue model. No gavage was administered during the first two weeks of the weighted training. From week three to four, the icariin groups with low, medium, and high doses received 0.03, 0.06, and 0.12 g·kg-1 icariin via gavage, respectively. The vitamin C group received 0.2 g·kg-1 vitamin C. The L-NAME group received 0.06 g·kg-1 icariin and 0.01 g·kg-1 L-NAME via intraperitoneal injection. The normal and model groups received equivalent physiological saline. After the experiment, body weight and the last exhaustive swimming time were recorded. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lactate (LA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), testicular testosterone (T), testicular Ca2+/Mg2+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) (micro-assay), and the levels of testicular cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were measured by using kits. Sperm CD46 levels were detected by flow cytometry. Testicular seminiferous tubules were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the testicular morphometric score (TMS) was used to evaluate the spermatogenic function. Protein expression of regucalcin (RGN, SMP30), cGMP-dependent protein kinase 1 (PKG), and cGMP-dependent protein kinase anchoring protein (GKAP1) was detected by Western blot. Testicular regucalcin expression was examined by immunofluorescence (IF). The epididymal sperm quality of mice was observed under a microscope. Fluorescence-stained sections of stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (STRA8), synaptonemal complex protein 3 (SCP3), and transition protein 1(TNP1) in testicular seminiferous tubules were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed decreased body weight and exhaustive swimming time (P<0.01), significantly increased fatigue markers (LA, LDH, and BUN) and lipid peroxidation product MDA (P<0.01), reduced testicular RGN, PKG, GKAP1, testosterone, Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase, and cGMP levels (P<0.01), decreased sperm motility, sperm count, and TMS scores, and downregulated the expression of STRA8, SCP3, and TNP1. Compared with the model group, the icariin group with high dose exhibited increased exhaustive swimming time (P<0.01), reduced LA, LDH, BUN, and MDA levels (P<0.01), elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P<0.01), upregulated testicular RGN, PKG, GKAP1, testosterone, Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase, and cGMP levels (P<0.01), improved sperm motility, sperm count, and TMS scores, and enhanced STRA8, SCP3, and TNP1 expression. Compared with the L-NAME group, the icariin group with medium dose showed increased expression of STRA8, SCP3, and TNP1 in the testicular tissue (P<0.01) and elevated cGMP and GKAP1 levels (P<0.01). ConclusionExercise-induced fatigue reduces the expression of RGN and cGMP/PKG/GKAP1 in mice, thereby causing abnormal spermatogenesis and impairing reproductive function in mice. Icariin ameliorates spermatogenic dysfunction in exercise-induced fatigue mice by promoting the expression of RGN and cGMP/PKG/GKAP1, thereby mitigating the damage of exercise-induced fatigue to the reproductive system.
4.lncRNA DLEU2 regulates IKKα-mediated 131I resistance in thyroid carcinoma TPC-1 cells via the EZH2/H3K27me3 axis
ZOU Huangren ; LIU Yanlin ; ZHANG Lu ; BAI Yuke ; GAO Rui ; QIN Tiantian ; FANG Ruotong ; DENG Ziyong
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2026;33(4):363-372
[摘 要] 目的:探讨lncRNA DLEU2通过EZH2/H3K27me3途径调控IKKα介导甲状腺癌(TC)放射性碘抵抗的作用机制。方法:利用TCGA数据库分析TC中DLEU2的表达及其与EZH2的相关性。构建放射性碘抵抗的TPC-1细胞(RR-TPC-1细胞)模型及裸鼠移植瘤模型,通过敲低或过表达DLEU2(si-DLEU2/OE-DLEU2)、抑制EZH2(UNC1999)、过表达IKKα(OE-IKKα)进行干预,采用qPCR、WB、RIP、ChIP、CCK-8、流式细胞术、TUNEL染色及体内成瘤实验检测基因与蛋白表达、表观修饰、细胞增殖、凋亡及肿瘤生长。结果:TCGA分析显示,DLEU2在TC组织中显著上调(P < 0.001),与患者不良预后相关(P = 0.008 4),且与EZH2表达呈正相关(r = 0.390, P < 0.001);RIP证实EZH2与DLEU2存在相互作用/结合(P < 0.05)。体外实验表明,敲低DLEU2可显著下调RR-TPC-1细胞中EZH2、IKKα表达及H3K27me3修饰水平,抑制NF-κB通路活化(P < 0.05或P < 0.01),抑制细胞增殖、促进凋亡(均P < 0.05)。联合敲低DLEU2与抑制EZH2进一步增强上述效应,而过表达IKKα则可部分逆转上述效应(P < 0.05或P < 0.01)。体内实验进一步证实,敲低DLEU2联合抑制EZH2可显著抑制移植瘤生长,增加肿瘤细胞凋亡(均P < 0.01);IKKα过表达则部分逆转上述抗肿瘤效应(P < 0.05或P < 0.01)。结论:lncRNA DLEU2通过招募EZH2催化H3K27me3修饰,间接激活IKKα/NF-κB信号并形成正反馈环路,介导TPC-1细胞131I抵抗。
5.Artificial intelligence-based systematic study on the multidimensional pharmacological activity and molecular mechanism of the active ingredients of Artemisia argyi
Hongrong ZHANG ; Qi ZOU ; Zhongmin MA ; Zhaohui FANG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(3):358-367
To investigate the pharmacological activities and potential mechanisms of action of the active components in Artemisia argyi with artificial intelligence technology, a search was conducted in the HIT, TCMSP, and TCMIO databases, obtaining 199 active components of A. argyi. A comprehensive set of algorithms, including KNN, MLP, RF, SVM, and models based on Lipinski’s and Veber’s rules, was employed to predict the toxicity and oral bioavailability of A. argyi compounds, identifying 14 components that are non-toxic and have good oral bioavailability. The synthetic accessibility score (SAscore) model was used to analyze the synthetic accessibility of the 14 components mentioned above, and molecular segments were fragmented using BRICS and RECAP algorithms. Mining of the STP and PM databases yielded 406 target proteins for the core components of A. argyi, and Cytoscape was used to screen out 5 core targets: SRC, EGFR, PTPN11, HRAS, and PDGFRB. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that the core targets were involved in 808 GO enrichment analysis entries and 71 signaling pathways, including EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, gap junction, phospholipase D, and JAK/STAT. Molecular docking results showed that active compounds of A. argyi have a good binding affinity with proteins SRC, EGFR, PTPN11, and HRAS. Cellular experiments have confirmed that ledol, an active component of A. argyi, can promote the proliferation of HUVEC cells within a certain concentration range and can increase the expression of EGFR protein. This study reveals the pharmacological characteristics and potential molecular mechanisms of the active components of A. argyi and lays a solid scientific foundation for its medicinal development.
6.Analyzing the heart-oriented view of the treatment of mental illness in Synopsis of Golden Chamber based on the theory of five-spirit-viscera
ZOU Peng ; Kai CHENG ; Minlong XIA ; Menghan LI ; Shuxian WANG ; Hui KONG ; Yan ZHAO ; Changming ZHAI ; Fang LU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):495-500
Mental state is an important part of the normal life activities of the human body, and it is also the most external expression and the most easily obtained information of the physical condition. The normal activities of the mind depend on the normal operation of the viscera, qi, and blood, and are a unified whole that prospers together and suffers together. The theory of the five-spirit-viscera in the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic revealed that the normal mental activities of the human body were dominated by the five internal organs, that is, the five internal organs were the body and the five spirits were the function. And it highlighted the viewpoint that the five internal organs store the spirits and are actually one. The heart governs the spirit and belongs to the four internal organs. On this basis, Synopsis of Golden Chamber used the internal organs to diagnose and treat mental diseases, integrating the theory of the five spirits into it, forming a unique method of diagnosis and treatment with the heart as the leading factor and regulating the qi and blood of the four internal organs. It identified the pathogenesis of diseases such as pathogenic crying, lily disease, and hysteria from five levels: heart deficiency and weak qi, heart-lung disharmony, heart-liver disharmony, the heart of the loss of the spleen nourishment, and disharmony between heart and kidney. The treatment was mainly to replenish the deficiency of the viscera and eliminate the pathogens, reflecting the characteristics of regulating the mind and calming the four internal organs. This unique view on diagnosis and treatment has profoundly influenced the diagnosis and treatment theories of mental illnesses by later doctors, and is of great significance to the current clinical treatment of such illnesses.
7.Ethical considerations for commercial insurance in assisting translational medicine
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(10):1359-1364
Promoting the high-quality development of the transformation of medical scientific research results has become an important content and development direction in China’s medical science and technology system reform. Various risks involved in medical scientific research need to be fully recognized and prevented, and strengthening science and technology insurance services is one of the important ways. Commercial insurance in the field of translational medicine in China is in a rapid development stage, and the main insurance products include drug research and development insurance, clinical trial liability insurance, genetic testing insurance, and other insurances. While commercial insurance intervenes in the innovation of medical science and technology, ethical and liability issues often raise concerns and controversies. Combined with the current practices of handling ethical issues related to commercial insurance for translational medicine in China, this paper reviewed the current development status of commercial insurance related to translational medicine from the perspective of the insurance industry, discussed the relevant ethical issues, and proposed coping strategies.
8.Effect of moxibustion on small intestinal mucosal immune barrier in rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
Kuiwu LI ; Haoran CHU ; Ling ZOU ; Jingru RUAN ; Lumin LIAO ; Xiaoyu HAN ; Wenli MA ; Ming FANG ; Jingwei ZHU ; Yucheng FANG ; Ziye WANG ; Tingting TONG
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(7):935-944
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effect of moxibustion on small intestinal mucosal immune barrier in rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) and explore its underlying mechanisms.
METHODS:
Of 38 newborn rats from 4 healthy SPF pregnant rats, 12 neonatal rats were randomly selected in a normal group. IBS-D model was prepared by the combined measures for the rest rats, including neonatal maternal separation, acetic acid enema and chronic restraint stress. Twenty-four successfully-modeled rats were randomized into a model group and a moxibustion group, 12 rats in each one. In the moxibustion group, suspending moxibustion was delivered at bilateral "Tianshu" (ST25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST37), 20 min each time, once daily and for 7 consecutive days. Separately, before acetic acid enema (aged 35 days), after modeling (aged 45 days) and after intervention (aged 53 days), the body mass, loose stool rate (LSR) and and the minimum volume threshold when abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scored 3 were observed in the rats of each group. After intervention (aged 53 days), using HE and PAS staining, the morphology of duodenum was observed, the length of villus and the depth of crypt were measured, the ratio of the length of villus to the depth of crypt was calculated; and the numbers of mucosal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and goblet cells were counted. With ELISA adopted, the contents of γ-interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in duodenal mucosa of rats were detected. The proportion of T cell subsets in duodenal mucosa was detected using flow cytometry. The microvilli and tight junctions of duodenal mucosal epithelial cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the integrity of duodenal mucosa observed by scanning electron microscopy.
RESULTS:
Compared with the normal group, for the rats in the model group, the body mass, the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3, the length of duodenal villus and the the ratio of the length of villus to the depth of crypt, as well as the proportion of CD8+ T subset were all reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05), the counts of goblet cells in duodenal mucosa decreased (P<0.01); LRS, the proportion of CD4+ T subset and CD4+/CD8+, as well as the contents of IFN-γ, IL-4 and sIgA in duodenal mucosa and IFN-γ/IL-4 were all elevated (P<0.01); and the numbers of IELs rose (P<0.01). The morphology of duodenal mucosa was irregular, the villi got shorter, sparse and scattered, with uneven density. The morphology of epithelial cells was destroyed and the tight junctions damaged, with larger spaces. When compared with the model group, in the moxibustion group, the body mass, the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3, the length of duodenal villus and the ratio of the length of villus to the depth of crypt, as well as the counts of goblet cells in duodenal mucosa increased (P<0.01); LRS, the proportion of CD4+ T subset, and CD4+/CD8+, as well as the contents of IFN-γ, IL-4 and sIgA in duodenal mucosa and IFN-γ/IL-4 were reduced (P<0.01); and the numbers of IELs was dropped (P<0.01). The morphology of duodenal mucosa was more regular, the villi were grew, got longer and arranged regularly, with even density. The morphology of epithelial cells was slightly destroyed, and the tight junctions partially damaged.
CONCLUSION
Moxibustion at "Tianshu" (ST25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST37) can reduce visceral hypersensitivity in IBS-D rats and relieve abdominal pain, diarrhea and other symptoms. Its effect mechanism may be related to the repair of small intestinal mucosal immune barrier and the improvement in the immune function in IBS-D.
Animals
;
Irritable Bowel Syndrome/immunology*
;
Rats
;
Moxibustion
;
Intestinal Mucosa/immunology*
;
Female
;
Diarrhea/therapy*
;
Intestine, Small/immunology*
;
Male
;
Humans
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Disease Models, Animal
9.Exploration on the Brain Mechanism Underlying Acupuncture Effects in Hemiplegic Patients after Ischemic Stroke Based on Granger Causality
Tianjiao XU ; Mengxin LU ; Yuanyuan LI ; Muzhao ZHANG ; Yihuai ZOU ; Jiliang FANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(4):135-140
Objective To discuss the effects of the"twelve needles for hands and feet"acupuncture on the brain response mechanism and acupoint specificity in hemiplegic patients after ischemic stroke using fMRI.Methods Totally 43 inpatients from Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from December 2018 to March 2023 were included.The included patients were randomly divided into a true acupoint group of 23 cases and a fake acupoint group of 20 cases using the random number table method for clinical scale evaluation and magnetic resonance scanning.The true acupoint group received"twelve needles for hands and feet"acupuncture;the fake acupoint group was treated with acupuncture by opening 1 inch next to the meridian point,once a day,for consecutive 10 d.Intervention completed,excluding subjects who fell out during the intervention process,had unsatisfactory MRI data quality and had incomplete clinical scales,and conducting data processing and analysis.Bilateral anterior central gyrus(PreCG),amygdala(AMYG),caudate nucleus(CAU),putamen lenticularis(PUT),pallidus lenticularis(PAL)and thalamus(THA)were selected as regions of interest(ROI),and the changes in Granger causality(GC)and differences in scale scores between the two groups before and after treatment were compared.Results After intervention in the true acupoint group,the GC of CAU.R → PreCG.R,AMYG.R → PAL.R was stronger than before intervention,and the GC of THA.L→PAL.L,AMYG.R→THA.R in the true acupoint group was weaker than before intervention(P<0.05);after intervention with fake acupoints,the GC of AMYG.R→PUT.L in the false acupoint group was stronger than before intervention,and the GC of THA.L→PreCG.R,AMYG.L→CAU.L was weaker than before intervention(P<0.05);the GC of THA.R→PAL.L before intervention was stronger than false acupoint group,the GC of CAU.L→PreCG.R,PUT.L→PreCG.R before intervention was weaker than fake acupoint group(P<0.05);the GC of CAU.R→PreCG.R,THA.L→PreCG.R,AMYG.R→CAU.L,THA.L→PAL.R,AMYG.L→THA.L after intervention in the true acupoint group was stronger than the false acupoint group,and the GC of AMYG.R→AMYG.L after intervention in the true acupoint group was weaker than the fake acupoint group(P<0.05).Conclusion"Twelve needles for hands and feet"acupuncture can stimulate preferential compensation of the right motor circuit,bilateral basal ganglia remodeling,and balance regulation of excitatory inhibitory effects on the thalamus in patients with radiation-induced coronary stroke,thereby improving the degree of motor dysfunction and neurological deficits;acupuncture at acupoints stimulates brain activity more than at non-acupoints,indicating acupoint specificity.
10.Effects of Rutong Ruanjian Tablets on angiogenesis in a rat model of preneoplastic breast cancer of Liver-Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis Pattern via DLL4/Notch1/Hes1 pathway
Hua YANG ; Jun-yao LONG ; Jie GONG ; Bing-bing LU ; Xi ZOU ; Yu-rong WU ; Li-fang LIU ; Hui LIU ; Qi-hua CHEN
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(3):774-781
AIM To investigate the effects of Rutong Ruanjian Tablets on angiogenesis in cancer tissues of rats with preneoplastic breast cancer(PBC).METHODS 60 female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group of 10 rats and a model group of 50 rats for the establishment of the PBC models of Liver-Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis Pattern with 9 weeks of oral administration of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene(DMBA)and cervical ligation.After successful modeling,the rats were randomly divided into the model group,the tamoxifen group(3.2 mg/kg),the Rutong Ruanjian Tablets group(128 mg/kg),the 3,5-difluorobenzoyl group(DAPT,5 mg/kg),and the Rutong Ruanjian Tablets(128 mg/kg via gavage)+DAPT(5 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection)group,for 1 month corresponding drug administration,with 10 rats in each group.Then the rats had their cancer progression and syndrome scores observed;their angiogenesis evaluated by assessment of microvascular density(MVD);their vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)expression assessed by immunohistochemistry;and their mRNA and protein expressions of proteins related to the DLL4/Notch1/Hes1 pathway measured using RT-qPCR,immunohistochemistry and Western blot.RESULTS During carcinogenesis of rats induced by DMBA,there was gradual disappearance of E-cadherin expression and consistency of HE staining result with the PBC progression confirming the success of the modeling.Compared with the blank group,the model group showed increased MVD values,mRNA expression of Notch1 and Hes1,and protein expressions of VEGF,DLL4,Notch1 and Hes1(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the Rutong Ruanjian Tablets group exhibited reduced MVD values,mRNA expression of Notch1 and Hes1,and protein expressions of VEGF,DLL4,Notch1 and Hes1(P<0.05,P<0.01).The Rutong Ruanjian Tablets+DAPT group showed reduced mRNA expression of Notch1 and Hes1,and protein expressions of DLL4,Notch1 and Hes1 compared to the Rutong Ruanjian Tablets group(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Rutong Ruanjian Tablets can inhibit angiogenesis and attenuate cancer progression in PBC rats of Liver-Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis Pattern,and the mechanism may lie in the downregulation of DLL4/Notch1/Hes1 signaling pathway related proteins.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail