Objective:To investigate effect and mechanism of hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA)activating neuronal autophagy on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury through a combination of in vitro and in vivo experiments.Methods:SD rat MCAO/R model was established by improved suture method.Rats were randomly divided into sham surgery(Sham)group,MCAO/R group and MCAO/R+HSYA group,following indicators were detected to determine extent of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion nerve damage:Z-Longa neu-rological function score was detected,TTC staining to measure cerebral infarction area,and TUNEL staining to measure cell apopto-sis;Western blot was used to detect protein expressions of autophagy related markers LC3,Beclin1,P62 and SIRT1 in rat brain tis-sue;immunofluorescence staining was used to observe expression of LC3 co-localization with neurons.OGD/R injury model of SH-SY5Y cells was established and randomly divided into Normal group,OGD/R group,OGD/R+HSYA group,OGD/R+SIRT1 inhibitor(EX-527)group and OGD/R+EX-527+HSYA group.Western blot was used to detect protein expressions of LC3,Beclin1,P62 and SIRT1.Results:Compared with Sham group,model group rats showed impaired neurological function,significantly increased neu-robehavioral scores,widespread cerebral infarction,significantly increased neuronal cell apoptosis,significantly increased autophagy related protein Beclin1 expression and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,significantly decreased P62 expression,significantly increased LC3/NeuN co-stained cells,and decreased SIRT1 expression;compared with model group,HSYA intervention group showed a significant decrease in neurological functional scores,a significant reduction in cerebral infarction area,a significant decrease in neuronal cell apoptosis,a further increase in Beclin1 expression and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,a further decrease in P62 expression,number of LC3/NeuN and P62/NeuN co-stained cells also increased,and SIRT1 expression significantly increased.Expression trends of Beclin1,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,P62 and SIRT1 of cells between normal group,model group and HSYA intervention group were same as animal experiment;compared with model group,expressions of SIRT1,Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ in OGD/R+EX-527 group were significantly reduced,while expression of P62 was significantly increased;compared with OGD/R+EX-527 group,there was no significant change in SIRT1 expression in OGD/R+EX-527+HSYA group,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ and Beclin1 expression were significantly increased,and P62 expres-sion was significantly decreased.Conclusion:HSYA can significantly improve neurological deficits in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion,reduce cerebral infarction area,and decrease neuronal cell apoptosis rate,whose neuroprotective effect may be related to its activation of SIRT1,which significantly enhances neuronal autophagy.

Objective:To investigate effect and mechanism of hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA)activating neuronal autophagy on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury through a combination of in vitro and in vivo experiments.Methods:SD rat MCAO/R model was established by improved suture method.Rats were randomly divided into sham surgery(Sham)group,MCAO/R group and MCAO/R+HSYA group,following indicators were detected to determine extent of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion nerve damage:Z-Longa neu-rological function score was detected,TTC staining to measure cerebral infarction area,and TUNEL staining to measure cell apopto-sis;Western blot was used to detect protein expressions of autophagy related markers LC3,Beclin1,P62 and SIRT1 in rat brain tis-sue;immunofluorescence staining was used to observe expression of LC3 co-localization with neurons.OGD/R injury model of SH-SY5Y cells was established and randomly divided into Normal group,OGD/R group,OGD/R+HSYA group,OGD/R+SIRT1 inhibitor(EX-527)group and OGD/R+EX-527+HSYA group.Western blot was used to detect protein expressions of LC3,Beclin1,P62 and SIRT1.Results:Compared with Sham group,model group rats showed impaired neurological function,significantly increased neu-robehavioral scores,widespread cerebral infarction,significantly increased neuronal cell apoptosis,significantly increased autophagy related protein Beclin1 expression and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,significantly decreased P62 expression,significantly increased LC3/NeuN co-stained cells,and decreased SIRT1 expression;compared with model group,HSYA intervention group showed a significant decrease in neurological functional scores,a significant reduction in cerebral infarction area,a significant decrease in neuronal cell apoptosis,a further increase in Beclin1 expression and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,a further decrease in P62 expression,number of LC3/NeuN and P62/NeuN co-stained cells also increased,and SIRT1 expression significantly increased.Expression trends of Beclin1,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,P62 and SIRT1 of cells between normal group,model group and HSYA intervention group were same as animal experiment;compared with model group,expressions of SIRT1,Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ in OGD/R+EX-527 group were significantly reduced,while expression of P62 was significantly increased;compared with OGD/R+EX-527 group,there was no significant change in SIRT1 expression in OGD/R+EX-527+HSYA group,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ and Beclin1 expression were significantly increased,and P62 expres-sion was significantly decreased.Conclusion:HSYA can significantly improve neurological deficits in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion,reduce cerebral infarction area,and decrease neuronal cell apoptosis rate,whose neuroprotective effect may be related to its activation of SIRT1,which significantly enhances neuronal autophagy.

BACKGROUND:Ischemic stroke is a highly prevalent disease associated with apoptosis.Neuronal death occurs after cerebral ischemia,including necrosis and apoptosis.The ischemic core region is dominated by necrosis,while delayed neuronal death in the penumbra is dominated by apoptosis.The penumbra has become a target for the treatment of ischemic stroke.This bibliometric analysis was used to identify the characteristics,hotspots,and frontiers of global scientific output related to apoptosis in ischemic stroke over the past 5 years. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the role of apoptosis and its mechanisms in the pathological process of ischemic stroke through a bibliometric approach. METHODS:A total of 927 relevant literature records from 2018 to 2022 were retrieved from Science Citation Index Expanded(SCI-Expanded)and Social Science Citation Index Expanded(SSCI-Expanded)of the Web of Science Core Collection.Research trends and hotspots of apoptosis in ischemic stroke were visualized using Citespace,VOSviewer and Bibliometrix. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:From 2018 to 2020,the number of papers on the role of apoptosis in ischemic stroke showed an upward trend,but in 2020,the number of papers began to reduce.China had the largest number of publications,and the United States ranked the second.Capital Medical University and BRAIN RESEARCH BULLETIN were the institutions and journals with the most articles,respectively.In recent years,the two keywords"expression"and"oxidative stress"have appeared more frequently.The bibliometric study showed that in the past 5 years,most of the studies focused on basic research,in which research on the role of apoptosis in ischemic stroke has gradually decreased in the last 3 years,showing a downward trend.On the contrary,nerve regeneration has gradually become a research hotspot,especially the regulation of neurotrophic factors under the influence of different mechanisms,and the research on angiogenesis and glial cell repair is on the rise.At the same time,apoptosis in nerve regeneration is a potential point of discovery.

BACKGROUND:Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system mediated by T cells.The Toll-like receptors(TLRs)/myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)/nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of the disease.Exploring the specific mechanism of the signaling pathway is essential for further treatment of the disease and improving the prognosis of patients. OBJECTIVE:To review the TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and its role in multiple sclerosis/experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis models,which provides new ideas and strategies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis by inhibiting the TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. METHODS:The literature related to the topic from January 2002 to December 2022 was searched in CNKI,WanFang and PubMed databases.A total of 61 articles were finally included for analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway is an important pathway that triggers a pro-inflammatory immune response.The TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of multiple sclerosis by regulating the antigen presentation of dendritic cells,destroying the integrity of the blood-brain barrier,and promoting the activation of T cells,B cells and microglia.By targeting TLRs,MyD88 and NF-κB molecules,inhibiting the activation or signal transduction of TLRs,MyD88 and NF-κB,and reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors,multiple sclerosis can be treated.Animal studies have shown that active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicines,such as flavonoids and glycosides,and traditional Chinese medicine compound formulas,such as Buyang Huanwu Tang,can also treat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by regulating the TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway,which points to the direction of searching for medicines targeting the TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

A female infant with ambiguous genitalia, identified at 26 days postnatal, was admitted to the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. Genetic testing was performed on the child's pedigree using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, Sanger sequencing, and whole genome sequencing, which revealed a compound heterozygous variation in the CYP21A2 gene. The specific mutation sites were indeterminate, and third-generation gene sequencing technology, single- molecule real-time sequencing, subsequently identified a chimera-8 type variant of CYP21A1P/CYP21A2 fusion gene and a c.332_339del compound heterozygous variation in the infant. The genotype matched the phenotype, leading to a diagnosis of salt-wasting 21-hydroxylase deficiency, a rare genetic disorder. The infant was treated with hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone replacement therapy, which effectively controlled the condition. At 8 months old, the infant underwent surgery to correct the appearance of the external genitalia, with a favorable prognosis.

A female infant with ambiguous genitalia, identified at 26 days postnatal, was admitted to the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. Genetic testing was performed on the child's pedigree using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, Sanger sequencing, and whole genome sequencing, which revealed a compound heterozygous variation in the CYP21A2 gene. The specific mutation sites were indeterminate, and third-generation gene sequencing technology, single- molecule real-time sequencing, subsequently identified a chimera-8 type variant of CYP21A1P/CYP21A2 fusion gene and a c.332_339del compound heterozygous variation in the infant. The genotype matched the phenotype, leading to a diagnosis of salt-wasting 21-hydroxylase deficiency, a rare genetic disorder. The infant was treated with hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone replacement therapy, which effectively controlled the condition. At 8 months old, the infant underwent surgery to correct the appearance of the external genitalia, with a favorable prognosis.

As a promising method in artificial intelligence, deep learning has been proven successful in several domains ranging from acoustics and images to natural language processing. With medical imaging becoming an important part of disease screening and diagnosis, deep learning-based approaches have emerged as powerful techniques in medical image areas. In this process, feature representations are learned directly and automatically from data, leading to remarkable breakthroughs in the medical field. Deep learning has been widely applied in medical imaging for improved image analysis. This paper reviews the major deep learning techniques in this time of rapid evolution and summarizes some of its key contributions and state-of-the-art outcomes. The topics include classification, detection, and segmentation tasks on medical image analysis with respect to pulmonary medical images, datasets, and benchmarks. A comprehensive overview of these methods implemented on various lung diseases consisting of pulmonary nodule diseases, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, and interstitial lung disease is also provided. Lastly, the application of deep learning techniques to the medical image and an analysis of their future challenges and potential directions are discussed.

Objective: To investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of apatinib in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and the underlying mechanisms. Methods: The esophageal cancer cells, KYSE-150 and ECA-109, were divided into control group and apatinib treatment group at the concentrations of 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 μmol/L respectively. All of experiments were performed in triplicate. MTT and colony formation assays were used to measure cell proliferation. Transwell assay was used to determine the migration capacity. The effect of apatinib on cell cycle and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of VEGF and VEGFR-2 was measured by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The concentration of VEGF in the cell supernatant was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of MEK, ERK, p-MEK, p-ERK, JAK2, STAT3 and p-STAT3 after VEGF stimulation were detected by Western blot. Furthermore, the nude mice xenograft model was established. The tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into control group, apatinib low dose treatment group (250 mg) and apatinib high dose treatment group (500 mg), respectively. Tumor inhibition rates of different groups were calculated. And then the expressions of VEGF and VEGFR2 were detected in xenograft tissues by immunohistochemical staining. Results: In the presence of 20 μmol/L and 40 μmol/L of apatinib for 24 hours, the migration cell numbers of KYSE-150 and ECA-109 were 428.67±4.16 and 286.67±1.53 as well as 1 123.67±70.00 and 477.33±26.84, respectively, that were significantly lower than control group (P<0.05 for all). In addition, after treatment with 10 μmol/L, 20 μmol/L and 40 μmol/L of apatinib for 7 days on KYSE-150 and ECA-109, the colony formation rates were (65.12±25.48)%, (58.19±24.73)% and (29.10±22.40)% as well as (70.61±15.14)%, (61.12±17.21)% and (43.09±11.13)%, respectively. The colony formation rates of 20 μmol/L and 40 μmol/L of apatinib treatment groups were significantly lower than control group (100.00±0.00, P<0.05). The cell cycle ratio of G₂/M phase and apoptosis rate of control group and 20 μmol/L apatinib group in KYSE-150 cells were (12.14±2.13)% and (3.49±0.74)% as well as (26.27±3.30)% and (15.65±1.54)%, respectively. The corresponding ratios in ECA-109 cells were (3.44±0.57)% and (6.31±1.43)% as well as (22.64±2.36)% and (49.26±1.62)%, respectively. The results show that apatinib suppressed cell cycle progression at G₂/M phase and induced cell apoptosis in both KYSE-150 and ECA-109 cells (P<0.05 for all). In the presence of 20 μmol/L and 40 μmol/L of apatinib in KYSE-150 cells, the relative levels of VEGF mRNA were (42.57±10.43)% and (25.69±1.24)%, and those of VEGF-2 mRNA were (36.09±10.82)% and (13.99±6.54)%, which were all significantly decreased compared to control group (100.00±0.00, P<0.05 for all). For ECA-109 cells, the relative expression of VEGF and VEGFR2 showed similar tendency (P<0.05 for all). Moreover, after treatment with 20 μmol/L and 40 μmol/L of apatinib in KYSE-150 cells, the VEGF concentrations were (766.48±114.27) pg/ml and (497.40±102.18)pg/ml, which were significantly decreased compared to control group [(967.41±57.75) pg/ml, P<0.05)]. The results in ECA-109 were consistent (P<0.05). Furthermore, after treatment with 40 μmol/L of apatinib in KYSE-150 and ECA-109, the relative expression of p-MEK and p-ERK were 0.49±0.05 and 0.28±0.03 as well as 0.63±0.03 and 1.22±0.15, which were significantly lower than control group (1.23±0.19 and 0.66±0.07 as well as 1.03±0.20 and 1.76±0.20; P<0.05). The relative expression of STAT3, p-STAT3 in control group and experimental group were 0.96±0.15 and 0.85±0.16 as well as 0.62±0.09 and 0.36±0.13, respectively. The results showed that the protein levels of STAT3 and p-STAT3 were significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05 for all). The inhibition rates of apatinib in xenograft nude mice were 29.25% and 19.96% for 250 mg and 500 mg treatment groups. The concentration of VEGF were (25.11±4.12) pg/ml, (16.40±2.81) pg/ml and (15.04±4.88)pg/ml for control, 250 mg and 500 mg treatment groups, respectively. Conclusions Apatinib can inhibit cell proliferation, induce apoptosis and suppress migration of esophageal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. This effect was mainly mediated via the alterations of Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway and JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Objective To investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of apatinib in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and the underlying mechanisms. Methods The esophageal cancer cells, KYSE?150 and ECA?109, were divided into control group and apatinib treatment group at the concentrations of 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 μmol／L respectively. All of experiments were performed in triplicate. MTT and colony formation assays were used to measure cell proliferation. Transwell assay was used to determine the migration capacity. The effect of apatinib on cell cycle and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of VEGF and VEGFR?2 was measured by real?time quantitative PCR (qRT?PCR). The concentration of VEGF in the cell supernatant was assessed by enzyme?linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of MEK, ERK, p?MEK, p?ERK, JAK2, STAT3 and p?STAT3 after VEGF stimulation were detected by Western blot. Furthermore, the nude mice xenograft model was established. The tumor?bearing mice were randomly divided into control group, apatinib low dose treatment group (250 mg) and apatinib high dose treatment group (500 mg), respectively.Tumor inhibition rates of different groups were calculated.And then the expressions of VEGF and VEGFR2 were detected in xenograft tissues by immunohistochemical staining. Results In the presence of 20 μmol／L and 40 μmol／L of apatinib for 24 hours, the migration cell numbers of KYSE?150 and ECA?109 were 428.67±4.16 and 286.67±1.53 as well as 1 123.67±70.00 and 477.33± 26.84, respectively, that were significantly lower than control group ( P＜0.05 for all). In addition, after treatment with 10 μmol／L, 20 μmol／L and 40 μmol／L of apatinib for 7 days on KYSE?150 and ECA?109, the colony formation rates were ( 65.12± 25.48)%, ( 58.19± 24.73)% and (29.10± 22.40)% as well as (70.61±15.14)%, (61.12±17.21)% and (43.09±11.13)%, respectively. The colony formation rates of 20 μmol／L and 40 μmol／L of apatinib treatment groups were significantly lower than control group (100.00±0.00, P＜0.05). The cell cycle ratio of G2／M phase and apoptosis rate of control group and 20 μmol／L apatinib group in KYSE?150 cells were (12.14±2.13)% and (3.49±0.74)% as well as (26.27±3.30)% and (15.65± 1.54)%, respectively. The corresponding ratios in ECA?109 cells were (3.44±0.57)% and (6.31±1.43)%as well as (22.64±2.36)% and (49.26± 1.62)%, respectively. The results show that apatinib suppressed cell cycle progression at G2／M phase and induced cell apoptosis in both KYSE?150 and ECA?109 cells (P＜0.05 for all). In the presence of 20 μmol／L and 40 μmol／L of apatinib in KYSE?150 cells, the relative levels of VEGF mRNA were (42.57± 10.43)% and ( 25.69± 1.24)%, and those of VEGF?2 mRNA were (36.09±10.82)% and (13.99±6.54)%, which were all significantly decreased compared to control group (100.00±0.00, P＜0.05 for all). For ECA?109 cells, the relative expression of VEGF and VEGFR2 showed similar tendency (P＜0.05 for all). Moreover, after treatment with 20 μmol／L and 40 μmol／L of apatinib in KYSE?150 cells, the VEGF concentrations were ( 766.48± 114.27) pg／ml and ( 497.40± 102.18) pg／ml, which were significantly decreased compared to control group [(967.41± 57.75) pg／ml, P＜0.05)]. The results in ECA?109 were consistent (P＜0.05). Furthermore, after treatment with 40 μmol／L of apatinib in KYSE?150 and ECA?109, the relative expression of p?MEK and p?ERK were 0.49±0.05 and 0.28±0.03 as well as 0.63±0.03 and 1.22±0.15, which were significantly lower than control group (1.23±0.19 and 0.66± 0.07 as well as 1.03±0.20 and 1.76±0.20; P＜0.05). The relative expression of STAT3, p?STAT3 in control group and experimental group were 0.96 ± 0.15 and 0.85 ± 0.16 as well as 0.62 ± 0.09 and 0.36 ± 0.13, respectively. The results showed that the protein levels of STAT3 and p?STAT3 were significantly lower than the control group (P＜0.05 for all). The inhibition rates of apatinib in xenograft nude mice were 29.25% and 19.96% for 250 mg and 500 mg treatment groups. The concentration of VEGF were (25.11±4.12) pg／ml, (16.40 ± 2.81) pg／ml and ( 15.04 ± 4.88) pg／ml for control, 250 mg and 500 mg treatment groups, respectively. Conclusions Apatinib can inhibit cell proliferation, induce apoptosis and suppress migration of esophageal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. This effect was mainly mediated via the alterations of Ras／Raf／MEK／ERK pathway and JAK2／STAT3 pathway.

Objective To investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of apatinib in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and the underlying mechanisms. Methods The esophageal cancer cells, KYSE?150 and ECA?109, were divided into control group and apatinib treatment group at the concentrations of 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 μmol／L respectively. All of experiments were performed in triplicate. MTT and colony formation assays were used to measure cell proliferation. Transwell assay was used to determine the migration capacity. The effect of apatinib on cell cycle and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of VEGF and VEGFR?2 was measured by real?time quantitative PCR (qRT?PCR). The concentration of VEGF in the cell supernatant was assessed by enzyme?linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of MEK, ERK, p?MEK, p?ERK, JAK2, STAT3 and p?STAT3 after VEGF stimulation were detected by Western blot. Furthermore, the nude mice xenograft model was established. The tumor?bearing mice were randomly divided into control group, apatinib low dose treatment group (250 mg) and apatinib high dose treatment group (500 mg), respectively.Tumor inhibition rates of different groups were calculated.And then the expressions of VEGF and VEGFR2 were detected in xenograft tissues by immunohistochemical staining. Results In the presence of 20 μmol／L and 40 μmol／L of apatinib for 24 hours, the migration cell numbers of KYSE?150 and ECA?109 were 428.67±4.16 and 286.67±1.53 as well as 1 123.67±70.00 and 477.33± 26.84, respectively, that were significantly lower than control group ( P＜0.05 for all). In addition, after treatment with 10 μmol／L, 20 μmol／L and 40 μmol／L of apatinib for 7 days on KYSE?150 and ECA?109, the colony formation rates were ( 65.12± 25.48)%, ( 58.19± 24.73)% and (29.10± 22.40)% as well as (70.61±15.14)%, (61.12±17.21)% and (43.09±11.13)%, respectively. The colony formation rates of 20 μmol／L and 40 μmol／L of apatinib treatment groups were significantly lower than control group (100.00±0.00, P＜0.05). The cell cycle ratio of G2／M phase and apoptosis rate of control group and 20 μmol／L apatinib group in KYSE?150 cells were (12.14±2.13)% and (3.49±0.74)% as well as (26.27±3.30)% and (15.65± 1.54)%, respectively. The corresponding ratios in ECA?109 cells were (3.44±0.57)% and (6.31±1.43)%as well as (22.64±2.36)% and (49.26± 1.62)%, respectively. The results show that apatinib suppressed cell cycle progression at G2／M phase and induced cell apoptosis in both KYSE?150 and ECA?109 cells (P＜0.05 for all). In the presence of 20 μmol／L and 40 μmol／L of apatinib in KYSE?150 cells, the relative levels of VEGF mRNA were (42.57± 10.43)% and ( 25.69± 1.24)%, and those of VEGF?2 mRNA were (36.09±10.82)% and (13.99±6.54)%, which were all significantly decreased compared to control group (100.00±0.00, P＜0.05 for all). For ECA?109 cells, the relative expression of VEGF and VEGFR2 showed similar tendency (P＜0.05 for all). Moreover, after treatment with 20 μmol／L and 40 μmol／L of apatinib in KYSE?150 cells, the VEGF concentrations were ( 766.48± 114.27) pg／ml and ( 497.40± 102.18) pg／ml, which were significantly decreased compared to control group [(967.41± 57.75) pg／ml, P＜0.05)]. The results in ECA?109 were consistent (P＜0.05). Furthermore, after treatment with 40 μmol／L of apatinib in KYSE?150 and ECA?109, the relative expression of p?MEK and p?ERK were 0.49±0.05 and 0.28±0.03 as well as 0.63±0.03 and 1.22±0.15, which were significantly lower than control group (1.23±0.19 and 0.66± 0.07 as well as 1.03±0.20 and 1.76±0.20; P＜0.05). The relative expression of STAT3, p?STAT3 in control group and experimental group were 0.96 ± 0.15 and 0.85 ± 0.16 as well as 0.62 ± 0.09 and 0.36 ± 0.13, respectively. The results showed that the protein levels of STAT3 and p?STAT3 were significantly lower than the control group (P＜0.05 for all). The inhibition rates of apatinib in xenograft nude mice were 29.25% and 19.96% for 250 mg and 500 mg treatment groups. The concentration of VEGF were (25.11±4.12) pg／ml, (16.40 ± 2.81) pg／ml and ( 15.04 ± 4.88) pg／ml for control, 250 mg and 500 mg treatment groups, respectively. Conclusions Apatinib can inhibit cell proliferation, induce apoptosis and suppress migration of esophageal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. This effect was mainly mediated via the alterations of Ras／Raf／MEK／ERK pathway and JAK2／STAT3 pathway.