Objective To explore the inhibitory effect of 17-DMAG on the growth and angiogenesis of PD-1 humanized mouse liver cancer transplantation tumors.Methods 30 PD-1 humanized mice were selected,and a human HepG2 cell suspension was injected into the subcutaneous tissue of the right inguinal region to construct a human liver cancer transplant tumor model.Tumor-bearing humanized mice were randomly divided into three groups(10 mice per group):① model group(injected with 10 mg/kg of physiological saline),②17-DMAG group(intraperitoneal injection of 17-DMAG at 25 mg/kg,3 times/week),and③cisplatin group(intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg,2 times per week).The experiment lasted for 4 weeks.After injection,the length and shortest diameter of humanized mouse transplanted tumors were measured to calculate the volume,and tumor mass was measured to calculate the tumor inhibition rate.At the same time,immunohistochemical method were used to detect the expression of CD31(tumor microvessel density,MVD)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in tumor tissue.Results The tumor volume and mass of the 17-DMAG group and cisplatin group were significantly reduced compared to those of the model group(P＜0.05),and the tumor inhibition rate of the 17-DMAG group was slightly higher than that of the cisplatin group.However,there were no significant differences in tumor mass,volume,and tumor inhibition rate between the 17-DMAG group and cisplatin group.The number of MVD-labeled microvessels and level of VEGF expression in the 17-DMAG group and cisplatin group were lower than those in the model group(P＜0.05),and those of the 17-DMAG group were also lower than those in the cisplatin group(P＜0.05).Conclusions 17-DMAG can inhibit the growth of humanized mouse liver cancer xenografts by reducing the expression of VEGF in liver cancer xenograft tissue,thereby inhibiting the generation of tumor neovascularization.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the role of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in the therapeutic mechanism of Liangxue Jiedu Huayu Formula (LXJDHYF) for acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in mice. METHODS: Thirty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, low- and high-dose LXJDHYF groups, and H151 (a specific cGAS-STING pathway inhibitor) group (n=6). In all but the control group, the mice were treated with CCl₄ to induce liver cirrhosis followed by intraperitoneal injections of lipopolysaccharide and D-amino galactose to establish mouse models of ACLF. After the treatments, the mouse livers were collected for HE and TUNEL staining, and serum levels of ALT, AST and TBil were determined. In bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and liver tissues of ACLF mice, the expressions of cGAS-STING signaling pathway-related mRNAs including IFN‑β, ISG15, IL-6 and TNF-α were determined with RT-qPCR, and the phosphorylation levels of IRF3 and STING proteins were investigated using Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the mice in the model group, the LXJDHYF-treated mice exhibited milder hepatocyte necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver with significantly reduced hepatocyte apoptosis. LXJDHYF treatment also significantly lowered serum levels of ALT, AST, TBil, IL-6 and TNF-α in ACLF mice and effectively suppressed the expressions of cGAS-STING signaling pathway-related mRNA in both the BMDMs and the liver tissues and the phosphorylation of IRF3 and STING proteins in the BMDMs. CONCLUSIONS LXJDHYF can significantly improve liver function and attenuate inflammation in ACLF mice possibly by inhibiting excessive activation of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway.
Animals ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice ; Nucleotidyltransferases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure/etiology* ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Interferon Regulatory Factor-3/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Male

Objective: Fufang Biejia Ruangan Tablet (FBRT) is widely used for the treatment of liver fibrosis. However, Hominis Placenta (HP), as an important adjuvant of FBRT, has been restricted for medicinal using due to the limited availability, ethical controversy and safety issues. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of novel FBRT (N-FBRT) with sheep placenta (SP) as substitute for HP on liver fibrosis and explore its possible mechanisms. Different dosages of SP in N-FBRT were also evaluated. Methods: Rats were subcutaneously injected with CCl

Objective:To explore the effect of Olmesartan on the antigen presenting function of dendritic cells (DCs) in rats.Methods:Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells of female Lewis rats were obtained. Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells were cultured with Olmesartan (final concentration 10 μmol/L; OLM-DCs) or equal volume of DMSO (Con-DCs). Mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of the surface costimulatory molecule CD80, CD86 and MHCⅡ on DCs and the levels of IL-10 and TGF-β of DCs were analyzed by flow cytometry. DCs and CD4 +T lymphocytes were cocultured. T lymphocytes proliferation was analyzed by flow cytometry. IFN-γ in the supernatants were determined by ELISA. Results:The expression of MHC Ⅱ on DCs was inhibited by Olmesartan. The level of intracellular IL-10 in DCs was up-regulated by Olmesartan. Compared with Con-DCs, T lymphocytes proliferation and the level of IFN-γ were inhibited by OLM-DCs.Conclusions:Olmesartan could induce tolerogenic DCs in vitro. These tolerogenic DCs could inhibit T lymphocytes proliferation and the production of Th1 cytokine.

Psoraleae Fructus (PF) is a well-known traditional herbal medicine in China, and it is widely used for osteoporosis, vitiligo, and other diseases in clinical settings. However, liver injury caused by PF and its preparations has been frequently reported in recent years. Our previous studies have demonstrated that PF could cause idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (IDILI), but the mechanism underlying its hepatotoxicity remains unclear. This paper reports that bavachin isolated from PF enhances the specific stimuli-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and leads to hepatotoxicity. Bavachin boosts the secretion of IL-1β and caspase-1 caused by ATP or nigericin but not those induced by poly(I:C), monosodium urate crystal, or intracellular lipopolysaccharide. Bavachin does not affect AIM2 or NLRC4 inflammasome activation. Mechanistically, bavachin specifically increases the production of nigericin-induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species among the most important upstream events in the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Bavachin increases the levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine aminotransferase in serum and hepatocyte injury accompanied by the secretion of IL-1β via a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide-mediated susceptibility to IDILI. These results suggest that bavachin specifically enhances the ATP- or nigericin-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Bavachin also potentially contributes to PF-induced idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity. Moreover, bavachin and PF should be evaded among patients with diseases linked to the ATP- or nigericin-mediated activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, which may be a dangerous factor for liver injury.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Animals ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/etiology* ; Flavonoids ; Humans ; Inflammasomes ; Mice ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Nigericin

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2019.02.003.].

Objective:To investigate the effects of cattle encephalon glycoside and ignotin(CEGI)on the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)and neuronal nuclear antigen(NeuN)in the brain of APP/PS1 model mice of Alzheimer's disease.Methods:A total of 36 5-month-old APP/PS1 dual-transgenic model mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: the model group(normal saline 6.6 ml·kg -1·d -1), CEGI group(CEGI 6.6 ml·kg -1·d -1)and donepezil group(donepezil 2 mg·kg -1·d -1), with 12 in each group.Twelve C57BL/6J mice of the same age were used as the normal control group.All mice were given drugs for 6 weeks consecutively.Brain tissue was collected for immunohistochemical staining to detect the expression of amyloid β-protein(Aβ), GFAP and NeuN, which were then analyzed quantitatively. Results:The results of immunohistochemical staining indicated that levels of Aβ and GFAP were higher and levels of NeuN were lower in the model group than in the normal control group(0.147±0.068% vs.0%, 61.750±22.020 vs.26.000±4.598, 0.021±0.002 vs.0.032±0.003, P<0.05). Levels of Aβ and GFAP were lower and levels of NeuN were higher in the CEGI group and the donepezil group than in the model group(0.058±0.055 % vs.0.057±0.045 %, 38.250±5.418 vs.36.130±5.963, 0.029±0.004 vs.0.027±0.003, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of Aβ, GFAP and NeuN between the CEGI group and the donepezil group( P>0.05). Conclusions:CEGI has multi-target neuroprotective effects via down-regulating the expression of Aβ and GFAP and up-regulating the expression of NeuN.

As one of the stimulus-response polymeric intelligent materials, shape memory polymers have been widely applied in biomedicine due to their better biocompatibility, higher controllability, stronger deformation restorability and biodegradability compared with shape memory alloys and shape memory ceramics. This review will introduce the structural principles of shape memory polymers and summarize their applications in the treatment of vascular diseases, especially in endovascular therapy. At the same time, the related technical problems and the future of shape memory polymers are prospected. With the continuous development of processing technology and materials, it can be predicted that shape memory polymers will be more widely used in the medical field.

Objective:To observe the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on tendon adhesion in late period after hand tendon repair. Methods:From July, 2017 to December, 2018, 40 patients with tendon adhesion after hand tendon repair more than three months were collected. They were randomly divided into control group (n = 20) and experimental group (n = 20). Two groups received routine therapy, and the experimental group added extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Before and two months after treatment, the total active movement (TAM) of the fingers and the grip strength were messured. Results:There was no significant difference in TAM of the fingers and the grip strength before treatment (P > 0.05). After treatment, TAM of the fingers and the grip strength significantly increased (|t| > 10.284,P < 0.001), and were higher in the experimental group than in the control group (t > 0.386,P < 0.001). Conclusion:Extracorporeal shock wave therapy could facilitate to improve the tendon slippage and hand function in patients with tendon adhesion after hand tendon repair.

Aberrant activation of NLRP3 inflammasome has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse inflammation-related diseases, and pharmacological molecules targeting NLRP3 inflammasome are of considerable value to identifying potential therapeutic interventions. Cardamonin (CDN), the major active ingredient of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb , has exerted an excellent anti-inflammatory activity, but the mechanism underlying this role is not fully understood. Here, we show that CDN blocks canonical and noncanonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation triggered by multiple stimuli. Moreover, the suppression of CDN on inflammasome activation is specific to NLRP3, not to NLRC4 or AIM2 inflammasome. Besides, the inhibitory effect is not dependent on the expression of NF-B-mediated inflammasome precursor proteins. We also demonstrate that CDN suppresses the NLRP3 inflammasome through blocking ASC oligomerization and speckle formation in a dose-dependent manner. Importantly, CDN improves the survival of mice suffering from lethal septic shock and attenuates IL-1 production induced by LPS , which is shown to be NLRP3 dependent. In conclusion, our results identify CDN as a broad-spectrum and specific inhibitor of NLRP3 inflammasome and a candidate therapeutic drug for treating NLRP3 inflammasome-driven diseases.