1.Thermo-electroacupuncture at yaosanzhen for chronic lumbar muscle strain of cold dampness: a randomized controlled trial.
Mengzhong LI ; Jianguo ZHANG ; Wenjie LIANG ; Wenjie BAI ; Xiaoping LEI
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(10):1421-1426
OBJECTIVE:
To compare the clinical efficacy between thermo-electroacupuncture at yaosanzhen and oral celecoxib in the treatment of chronic lumbar muscle strain with cold dampness.
METHODS:
A total of 80 patients with chronic lumbar muscle strain of cold dampness were randomly divided into an observation group (40 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (40 cases, 2 cases were excluded). The observation group was treated with thermo-electroacupuncture at yaosanzhen (bilateral Shenshu [BL23], Dachangshu [BL25], Weizhong [BL40]), disperse-dense wave was selected, with a pulse cycle of 0.08 s, current intensity of 1-3 mA, with needles heated to approximately 45 ℃, the duration was 25 min per session, once a day. The control group was given oral celecoxib capsules, once daily, 200 mg each time. Six sessions as one course, with a 1-day interval between courses, 2 courses were required in both groups. The TCM syndrome score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI) score, and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score before and after treatment in both groups were compared. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were detected using ELISA method before and after treatment in both groups. The clinical efficacy was evaluated in both groups after treatment.
RESULTS:
After treatment, the TCM syndrome scores, VAS scores, ODI scores and serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, TXB2, CRP in both groups were reduced compared with those before treatment (P<0.01), while the JOA scores were increased (P<0.01);the TCM syndrome score, VAS score, ODI score and serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, TXB2, CRP in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the JOA score was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate of the observation group was 92.3% (36/39), which was superior to 78.9% (30/38) in the control group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Thermo-electroacupuncture at yaosanzhen can alleviate pain symptom in patients with chronic lumbar muscle strain of cold dampness, regulate lumbar function, reduce the levels of inflammatory factors, and the therapeutic effect is superior to oral celecoxib.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Electroacupuncture
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Sprains and Strains/genetics*
;
Cold Temperature
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood*
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
;
Aged
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Young Adult
;
C-Reactive Protein/metabolism*
;
Chronic Disease/therapy*
;
Lumbosacral Region/physiopathology*
2.High mobility group protein B1(HMGB1) promotes myeloid dendritic cell maturation and increases Th17 cell/Treg cell ratio in patients with immune primary thrombocytopenia.
Qinzhi LI ; Dongsheng DUAN ; Xiujuan WANG ; Mingling SUN ; Ying LIU ; Xinyou WANG ; Lei WANG ; Wenxia FAN ; Mengting SONG ; Xinhong GUO
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(1):45-50
Objective This study investigated the regulatory effect of high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) in the peripheral blood of patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) on myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) and Th17/regulatory T cells (Treg) balance. Methods The study enrolled 30 newly diagnosed ITP patients and 30 healthy controls.Flow cytometry was used to measure the proportion of mDC, Th17, and Treg cells in the peripheral blood of ITP patients and healthy controls. ELISA was conducted to quantify the serum levels of HMGB1, interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-23, IL-17, and transforming growth factor β(TGF-β). The mRNA levels of retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt(RORγt) and forehead box P3(FOXP3) were detected by real-time PCR. The correlation between the abovementioned cells, cytokines, and platelet count was assessed using Pearson linear correlation analysis. Results The proportion of Th17 cells and the expression levels of HMGB1, IL-6, IL-23, IL-17 and the level of RORγt mRNA in the peripheral blood of ITP patients were higher than those in healthy controls. However, the Treg cell proportion and TGF-β level were lower in ITP patients than those in healthy controls. In patients with ITP, the proportion of mDC and the level of FOXP3 mRNA did not show significant changes. The proportion of mDC cells was significantly correlated with the expression of IL-6 and IL-23. Moreover, the expression of HMGB1 showed a significant correlation with the expression of mDC, IL-6, IL-23, RORγt mRNA, and IL-17. Notably, both the proportion of mDC cells and the expression of HMGB1 were negatively correlated with platelet count. Conclusion The high expression of HMGB1 in peripheral blood of ITP patients may induce Th17/Treg imbalance by promoting the maturation of mDC and affecting the secretion of cytokines, thereby potentially playing a role in the immunological mechanism of ITP.
Humans
;
Th17 Cells/cytology*
;
HMGB1 Protein/genetics*
;
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/cytology*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Dendritic Cells/metabolism*
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/genetics*
;
Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3/genetics*
;
Young Adult
;
Interleukin-23/blood*
;
Interleukin-17/blood*
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
;
Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics*
;
Myeloid Cells/cytology*
;
Aged
3.The effects of S100A9 gene knockout on lupus-like phenotype in mice.
Jie ZHA ; Xusen ZHANG ; Xiaosi YANG ; Chun YE ; Genhong YAO
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(4):318-323
Objective To explore the effects of S100 calcium-binding protein A9 (S100A9) gene knockout on the phenotype of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in mice and to clarify the role of S100A9 in the pathogenesis of SLE. Methods Ten female C57BL/6 wild-type and S100A9 knockout (S100A9-KO ) mice were selected, with five wild-type and five S100A9-KO B6 mice receiving imiquimod (IMQ) cream to establish SLE mouse model. The other five wild-type and five S100A9-KO B6 mice were treated as control groups by wiping the skin of the right ear with a cotton swab. After 8 weeks, the mice were sacrificed. The serum was collected from each mouse to detect the levels of anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies, immunoglobulin G (IgG), B cell activating factor (BAFF), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) using ELISA. The levels of serum creatinine were determined using a sarcosine oxidase method. Urine was collected to measure urinary protein concentration. Kidneys were collected and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for evaluating histological changes. Results After IMQ treatment, the length and weight of spleen, levels of serum creatinine, anti-dsDNA antibodies, IgG, BAFF, IL-6, and urinary protein in the IMQ B6 group and IMQ S100A9-KO B6 group were significantly higher than those of the control groups. Lupus-like changes including increased glomerular volume and tubular epithelial swelling were observed in kidneys from the IMQ and IMQ S100A9-KO groups. However, compared with the IMQ B6 group, the IMQ S100A9-KO B6 group exhibited milder levels of serum and urine indicators as well as the lupus-like symptoms. Conclusion IMQ could induce lupus-like symptoms in both wild-type B6 mice and S100A9-KO B6 mice, but the lesions in S100A9 knockout mice are milder. Theses results suggested that S100A9 is involved in and promotes the pathogenesis of SLE.
Animals
;
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/chemically induced*
;
Female
;
Calgranulin B/genetics*
;
Mice, Knockout
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Phenotype
;
Mice
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Antibodies, Antinuclear/blood*
;
B-Cell Activating Factor/blood*
;
Immunoglobulin G/blood*
;
Kidney/pathology*
4.Causal relationship between circulating cytokines and keloids: A Mendelian randomized study.
Xuan CHEN ; Kexin DENG ; Jianda ZHOU ; Can LIU
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(7):1145-1157
OBJECTIVES:
Keloids are fibrotic skin disorders characterized by excessive collagen deposition and a high recurrence rate, closely associated with inflammatory mediators. However, existing epidemiological studies are limited by confounding factors and reverse causality, making it difficult to establish causation. This study aims to investigate the causal relationship between circulating cytokines and keloids using Mendelian randomization analysis.
METHODS:
Significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with circulating cytokines (exposures) and keloids (outcomes) were extracted from genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary datasets. Eligible SNPs were selected as instrumental variables (IVs). Exposure data were derived from a cytokine GWAS including 8 293 Finnish participants, and outcome data from a keloid GWAS based on the UK Biobank. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method served as the primary analytical approach to estimate causal effects, supplemented by weighted median (WME), MR-Egger regression, and other sensitivity analyses. Horizontal pleiotropy was assessed using MR-Egger regression and the MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) test, while Cochran's Q test evaluated heterogeneity. Leave-one-out analysis was used to verify robustness and consistency. A reverse MR analysis was also conducted, with keloid as the exposure and cytokines as outcomes, to rule out reverse causation.
RESULTS:
IVW analysis identified significant positive causal associations between two cytokines and keloids-macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) [odds ratio (OR)=2.081, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.219 to 3.552, P=0.007] and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) (OR=1.673, 95% CI 1.036 to 2.701, P=0.035). Conversely, stem cell factor (SCF) showed a negative causal relationship with keloids (OR=0.518, 95% CI 0.269 to 0.998, P=0.049). Results from the MR-Egger and weighted median analyses were consistent with IVW findings. No evidence of horizontal pleiotropy was observed (P>0.05). Except for interleukin-6 (P=0.014), no heterogeneity was detected in other cytokines. Leave-one-out analysis further confirmed the robustness of the causal associations. In reverse MR analysis, keloids were causally related only to β-nerve growth factor (beta-NGF) (OR=1.048, 95% CI 1.002 to 1.095, P=0.039), with no heterogeneity or pleiotropy detected in most cytokines (P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
MIF and MCP-1 exhibit positive causal associations with keloid formation, while SCF shows a negative causal relationship. These findings provide new evidence for the causal involvement of inflammatory cytokines in keloid pathogenesis and offer potential molecular targets for developing novel keloid therapies.
Humans
;
Keloid/blood*
;
Mendelian Randomization Analysis
;
Cytokines/genetics*
;
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
;
Genome-Wide Association Study
;
Chemokine CCL2/genetics*
;
Interleukin-6/genetics*
;
Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors/genetics*
;
Male
;
Stem Cell Factor/blood*
;
Female
;
Intramolecular Oxidoreductases
5.Mechanism of action of Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets for treatment of knee osteoarthritis based on metabolomics and intestinal flora.
Qing-Xia LIN ; Chun-Mei NIE ; Run-Li CHE ; Kuan RONG ; Lin CHEN ; Jian-Hua HUANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2024;49(23):6417-6428
In order to elucidate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of action of Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets on knee osteoarthritis, this study created a knee osteoarthritis model using 0.2 mL 40 g·L~(-1) papain and randomly divided the rats into the model group, high-dose and low-dose groups of Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets, and celecoxib group. All groups were given the drug for four weeks, with the diameter of their knee joint being measured during this period. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Senna solid green staining were utilized to observe the pathology of knee joint tissue in SD rats. The initial therapeutic impact of Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets on knee osteoarthritis in rats was assessed by monitoring the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in the plasma. Using a combination of non-targeted metabolomics and 16S rRNA techniques, researchers determined the variations in endogenous molecules and intestinal flora in rats and identified potential biomarkers. The results showed that Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets improved the diameter of knee joint swelling, ameliorated the pathological damage of cartilage tissue, and reduced the plasma levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in rats with knee osteoarthritis. Metabolomics analysis identified 22 potential biomarkers associated with the modulatory effects of Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets, including 5-hydroxytryptamine, corticosterone, methylmalonic acid, and other biomarkers, which were mainly involved in eight metabolic pathways, including tryptophan metabolism, vitamin K metabolism, steroid synthesis, and so on. The results of intestinal flora showed a decrease in the diversity of intestinal flora in the model group, an increase in the diversity of intestinal flora, and an improvement in the microecology of intestinal flora. Significant differences were found in Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Helicobacter, Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, and Parabacteroides. Finally, the results of the combined analysis showed that 22 biomarkers were correlated with five genera. The above results indicate that Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets can improve the tissue morphology and structure of knee joints, reduce the level of plasma inflammatory factors, regulate the diversity of intestinal flora, and balance the metabolic pathways of steroid synthesis, vitamin K metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism to exert a therapeutic effect on knee osteoarthritis.
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Rats
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
;
Osteoarthritis, Knee/genetics*
;
Metabolomics
;
Delayed-Action Preparations/administration & dosage*
;
Male
;
Tablets
;
Humans
;
Interleukin-1beta/blood*
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
6.Screening and obataining of aptamers for the blood group antigen-binding adhesin (BabA) to block Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) colonization in the stomach of mice.
Yuan YUAN ; Weipeng LI ; Xiaojing ZHOU ; Weili SUN ; Xiaolei TANG
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2023;39(9):793-800
Objective To explore the aptamer specific binding blood group antigen-binding adhesin (BabA) of Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) for blocking of H.pylori adhering host cell. Methods H.pylori strain was cultured and its genome was extracted as templates to amplify the BabA gene by PCR with designed primers. The BabA gene obtained was cloned and constructed into prokaryotic expression plasmid, which was induced by isopropyl beta-D-galactoside (IPTG) and purified as target. The single stranded DNA (ssDNA) aptamers that specifically bind to BabA were screened by SELEX. Enzyme-linked oligonucleotide assay (ELONA) was used to detect and evaluate the characteristics of candidate aptamers. The blocking effect of ssDNA aptamers on H.pylori adhesion was subsequently verified by flow cytometry and colony counting at the cell level in vitro and in mouse model of infection, respectively. Meanwhile, the levels of cytokines, interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-10 and IL-4 in the homogenate of mouse gastric mucosa cells were detected by ELISA. Results The genome of H.pylori ATCC 43504 strains was extracted and the recombinant plasmid pET32a-BabA was constructed. After induction and purification, the relative molecular mass (Mr) of the recombinant BabA protein was about 39 000. The amino acid sequence of recombinent protein was consistent with BabA protein by peptide mass fingerprint (PMF). Five candidate aptamers were selected to bind to the above recombinent BabA protein by SELEX. The aptamers A10, A30 and A42 identified the same site, while A3, A16 and the above three aptamers identified different sites respectively. The aptamer significantly blocked the adhesion of H.pylori in vitro. Animal model experiments showed that the aptamers can block the colonization of H.pylori in gastric mucosa by intragastric injection and reduce the inflammatory response. The levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in gastric mucosal homogenates in the model group with aptamer treatment were lower than that of model group without treatment. Conclusion Aptamers can reduce the colonization of H.pylori in gastric mucosa via binding BabA to block the adhesion between H.pylori and gastric mucosal epithelial cells.
Animals
;
Mice
;
Helicobacter pylori/genetics*
;
Interleukin-4
;
Interleukin-6
;
Interleukin-8
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
;
Stomach
;
Oligonucleotides
;
Adhesins, Bacterial/genetics*
;
Blood Group Antigens
7.Tetrahydropalmatine alleviated diabetic neuropathic pain by inhibiting activation of microglia via p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
Lian-Zhi CHENG ; Jia-Mei ZHOU ; Jun-Long MA ; Fan-Jing WANG ; Kai CHENG ; Qian CHEN ; Hui-Lun YUAN ; Ai-Juan JIANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2022;47(9):2533-2540
Neuropathic pain is one of the common complications of diabetes. Tetrahydropalmatine(THP) is a main active component of Corydalis Rhizoma with excellent anti-inflammatory and pain-alleviating properties. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of THP on diabetic neuropathic pain(DNP) and the underlying mechanism. High-fat and high-sugar diet(4 weeks) and streptozotocin(STZ, 35 mg·kg~(-1), single intraperitoneal injection) were employed to induce type-2 DNP in rats. Moreover, lipopolysaccharide(LPS) was used to induce the activation of BV2 microglia in vitro to establish an inflammatory cellular model. Fasting blood glucose(FBG) was measured by a blood glucose meter. Mechanical withdrawal threshold(MWT) was assessed with von Frey filaments, and thermal withdrawal latency(TWL) with hot plate apparatus. The protein expression levels of OX42, inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), CD206, p38, and p-p38 were determined by Western blot, the fluorescence expression levels of OX42 and p-p38 in the dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord by immunofluorescence, the mRNA content of p38 and OX42 in rat spinal cord tissue by qRT-PCR, and levels of nitric oxide(NO), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-10(IL-10), and serum fasting insulin(FINS) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). RESULTS:: showed that the mo-del group demonstrated significant decrease in MWT and TWL, with pain symptoms. THP significantly improved the MWT and TWL of DNP rats, inhibited the activation of microglia and p38 MAPK signaling pathway in rat spinal cord, and ameliorated its inflammatory response. Meanwhile, THP promoted the change of LPS-induced BV2 microglia from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, suppressed the activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, decreased the expression levels of inflammatory factors NO, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and increased the expression level of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10. The findings suggested that THP can significantly ameliorate the pain symptoms of DNP rats possibly by inhibiting the inflammatory response caused by M1 polarization of microglia via the p38 MAPK pathway.
Animals
;
Berberine Alkaloids
;
Blood Glucose/metabolism*
;
Diabetes Mellitus
;
Diabetic Neuropathies/genetics*
;
Interleukin-10
;
Interleukin-6/metabolism*
;
Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology*
;
Microglia
;
Neuralgia/metabolism*
;
Rats
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Signal Transduction
;
Spinal Cord/metabolism*
;
Streptozocin/therapeutic use*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
;
p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
8.Activity of Codonopsis canescens against rheumatoid arthritis based on TLRs/MAPKs/NF-κB signaling pathways and its mechanism.
Yu-Jie WANG ; Xiao-Yu ZHONG ; Xin-Hong WANG ; Yuan-Han ZHONG ; Lin LIU ; Fang-Yuan LIU ; Jin-Xiang ZENG ; Ji-Xiao ZHU ; Xiao-Lang DU ; Min LI ; Gang REN ; Guo-Yue ZHONG ; Xiao-Min WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2022;47(22):6164-6174
This paper aims to explore the activity of Codonopsis canescens extract against rheumatoid arthritis(RA) based on the Toll-like receptors(TLRs)/mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs)/nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) signaling pathways and its mechanism. The ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight/mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was used to identify the components of C. canescens extract. Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups, namely the normal group, the model group, the methotrexate(MTX) tablet group, and the low, medium, and high-dose C. canescens extract(ZDS-L, ZDS-M, and ZDS-H) groups, with 8 rats in each group. The model of collagen-induced arthritis in rats was induced by injection of bovine type Ⅱ collagen emulsion. MTX(2.5 mg·kg~(-1)), ZDS-L, ZDS-M, and ZDS-H(0.3 g·kg~(-1), 0.6 g·kg~(-1), and 1.2 g·kg~(-1)) were administrated by gavage. Rats in the normal group and the model group received distilled water. MTX was given once every three days for 28 days, and the rest medicines were given once daily for 28 days. Body weight, degree of foot swelling, arthritis index, immune organ index, synovial histopathological changes, and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and interleukin-6(IL-6) were observed. Protein expressions of TLR2, TLR4, NF-κB p65, p38 MAPK, and p-p38 MAPK in rats were determined by Western blot. Thirty-four main components were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, including 15 flavonoids, 7 phenylpropanoids, 4 terpenoids, 4 organic acids, 2 esters, and 2 polyalkynes. As compared with the normal group, the body weight of the model group was significantly decreased(P<0.01), and foot swelling(P<0.05, P<0.01), arthritis index(P<0.01), and the immune organ index(P<0.01) were significantly increased. The synovial histopathological injury was obviously observed in the model group. The serum levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were significantly increased(P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of TLR2, TLR4, NF-κB p65, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK in the synovial tissue were significantly increased(P<0.01) in the model group. As compared with the model group, the body weights of the ZDS dose groups were increased(P<0.01), and the degree of foot swelling(P<0.01) and the arthritis index were decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01). The immune organ index was decreased(P<0.01) in the ZDS dose groups, and the synovial tissue hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration were alleviated. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were significantly decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of TLR2, TLR4, NF-κB p65, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK were decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01) in the ZDS dose groups. C. canescens extract containing apigenin, tricin, chlorogenic acid, aesculin, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and oleanolic acid has a good anti-RA effect, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TLRs/MAPKs/NF-κB signaling pathways.
Animals
;
Cattle
;
Male
;
Rats
;
Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy*
;
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy*
;
Body Weight
;
Codonopsis/chemistry*
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
;
NF-kappa B/genetics*
;
p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
;
Plant Extracts/therapeutic use*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Signal Transduction
;
Toll-Like Receptor 2/metabolism*
;
Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology*
9.Serum Interleukin-6 Level and the rs1800795 Polymorphism in its Gene Associated with Neuroblastoma Risk in Chinese Children.
Qian ZHAO ; Mei JIN ; Da-Wei ZHANG ; Wen ZHAO ; Xi-Si WANG ; Zhi-Xia YUE ; Chao DUAN ; Cheng HUANG ; Xiao-Li MA
Chinese Medical Journal 2018;131(9):1075-1078
BackgroundThe pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), stimulates the metastasis of several neoplasms. An association of its serum level and the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1800795 with neuroblastoma (NB) has been reported in American and Italian cohorts. This study was to clarify whether the same association exists in Chinese children.
MethodsA total of 130 NB patients, with 77 boys (59%), 53 girls (41%), mean age 41 ± 5 months, were assigned to two groups: high risk (HR) versus intermediate-low risk (non-HR), and 50 healthy children were randomly selected as the age- and gender-matched controls. Peripheral blood samples were analyzed to determine serum IL-6 level using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and rs1800795 SNPs phenotype using polymerase chain reaction and gene sequencing.
ResultsThere were 87 NB patients in the HR group and 43 NB patients in the non-HR group. A comparison of allele and genotype frequencies of the rs1800795 polymorphism between patients and controls found no association with NB risk (P > 0.05). The frequency of GG+GC genotype was higher in HR-NB patients than in non-HR-NB patients (64.4% vs. 48.8%, P = 0.02), and serum IL-6 level was much higher in HR-NB patients with GG+GC genotype than in HR-NB patients with CC genotype (4.36 ± 1.1 pg/ml vs. 1.83 ± 0.5 pg/ml; P = 0.02), but not in Non-HR-NB patients.
ConclusionsThe polymorphism rs1800795 is associated with serum IL-6 level and level of NB risk. GG genotype might indicate that the tumor is highly malignant (prone to metastasis) and associated with poor prognosis.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; genetics ; Male ; Neuroblastoma ; blood ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics
10.Anti-hyperuricemic and anti-inflammatory actions of vaticaffinol isolated from Dipterocarpus alatus in hyperuricemic mice.
Yu-Sheng CHEN ; Chao-Jun CHEN ; Wei YAN ; Hui-Ming GE ; Ling-Dong KONG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2017;15(5):330-340
The present study was designed to examine the anti-hyperuricemic and anti-inflammatory effects and possible mechanisms of vaticaffinol, a resveratrol tetramer isolated from ethanol extracts of Dipterocarpus alatus, in oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice. At 1 h after 250 mg·kg potassium oxonate was given, vaticaffinol at 20, 40, and 60 mg·kg was intragastrically administered to hyperuricemic mice once daily for seven consecutive days. Vaticaffinol significantly decreased serum uric acid levels and improved kidney function in hyperuricemic mice. It inhibited hepatic activity of xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) and xanthine oxidase (XOD), regulated renal mRNA and protein levels of urate transporter 1 (URAT1), glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9), organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1), organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1), OCT2, organic cation/carnitine transporter 1 (OCTN1), and OCTN2 in hyperuricemic mice. Moreover, vaticaffinol markedly down-regulated renal protein levels of NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like (ASC), and Caspase-1, resulting in the reduction of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in this animal model. Additionally, HPLC and LC-MS analyses clearly testified the presence of vaticaffinol in the crude extract. These results suggest that vaticaffinol may be useful for the prevention and treatment of hyperuricemia with kidney inflammation.
Animals
;
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
;
administration & dosage
;
Dipterocarpaceae
;
chemistry
;
Humans
;
Hyperuricemia
;
blood
;
drug therapy
;
immunology
;
Interleukin-18
;
genetics
;
immunology
;
Interleukin-1beta
;
genetics
;
immunology
;
Interleukin-6
;
genetics
;
immunology
;
Kidney
;
drug effects
;
immunology
;
Male
;
Mice
;
Organic Anion Transport Protein 1
;
genetics
;
immunology
;
Plant Extracts
;
administration & dosage
;
Stilbenes
;
administration & dosage
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
;
genetics
;
immunology
;
Uric Acid
;
blood

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