In the context of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by dysregulated lipid metabolism in hepatocytes, the quest for safe and effective therapeutics targeting lipid metabolism has gained paramount importance. Sanhuang Xiexin Tang (SXT) and Baihu Tang (BHT) have emerged as prominent candidates for treating metabolic disorders. SXT combined with BHT plus Cangzhu (SBC) has been used clinically for Weihuochisheng obese patients. This retrospective analysis focused on assessing the anti-obesity effects of SBC in Weihuochisheng obese patients. We observed significant reductions in body weight and hepatic lipid content among obese patients following SBC treatment. To gain further insights, we investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of SBC in HFD-fed mice. The results demonstrated that SBC treatment mitigated body weight gain and hepatic lipid accumulation in HFD-fed mice. Pharmacological network analysis suggested that SBC may affect lipid metabolism, mitochondria, inflammation, and apoptosis-a hypothesis supported by the hepatic transcriptomic analysis in HFD-fed mice treated with SBC. Notably, SBC treatment was associated with enhanced hepatic mitochondrial biogenesis and the inhibition of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/NF-κB pathways. In conclusion, SBC treatment alleviates NAFLD in both obese patients and mouse models by improving lipid metabolism, potentially through enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis. These effects, in turn, ameliorate inflammation in hepatocytes.
Humans ; Mice ; Animals ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Organelle Biogenesis ; Retrospective Studies ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Obesity/metabolism* ; Liver ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Body Weight ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipids ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects*

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of intravesical instillation with Sufuning (SFN) lotion for prevention of postoperative recurrence of bladder cancer. Methods A total of 240 bladder cancer patients who were diagnosed as bladder cancer and accepted trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor from January 2010 to June 2016 in Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital were randomly divided into the experimental group (120 cases) and the control group (120 cases) according to the envelope method. The patients in the experimental group were treated with SFN lotion for immediate intravesical instillation(250 mg for once), and the patients in the control group were treated with pirarubicin (THP) for immediate intravesical instillation (30 mg for once). The patients of two groups were treated with intravesical chemotherapy once a week for 8 times, and the chemotherapy was performed once a month for 1 year. The recurrence rate, progression-free survival (PFS) rate, overall survival (OS) rate and recent side effects were compared between the two groups. Results The patients were followed up for 6 to 60 months. The median follow-up time was 36.5 months.In the experimental group,6 patients were lost and 8 patients were lost in the control group.The experimental group, the total recurrence rate was 26.3 % (30/114). The control group, the overall recurrence rate was 25.0 % (28/112) (χ2= 0.142, P = 0.781). Five years of PFS rate in the experimental group and the control group was 73.7 % (84/114) and 75.0 % (84/112) respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (χ2= 2.011, P= 0.615). Five years of OS rate in the experimental group and the control group was 95.6 % and 92.9 % respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (χ 2= 1.611, P= 0.425). The major side effects included chemical cystitis and hematuria. The incidence of chemical cystitis and hematuria in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group(χ2=5.991,P=0.018;χ2=4.925,P=0.036).There was a statistically significant difference of the hematological side effects (blood routine changes) between the two groups (χ 2= 4.891, P= 0.032). Conclusion It is safe and effective for intravesical instillation of SFN lotion to prevent the recurrence of bladder cancer.

Objective To establish a stable animal model of transplanted human colorectal cancer.Methods BALB/c nude mice were randomly divided into orthotopic colorectal model group and subcutaneous inoculation model group by random number table,and separately inoculated with 0.1 ml human colon cancer cell HCT116 under the density of 2×107/ml into the orthotopic colorectal (with the self-made inoculator) and right forelimb pit subcutaneously.The mice were observed for 60 days to compare the tumor formation and tumor growth in the two groups.Results The tumor formation rate of all 18 animals was 100 ％ (18/18) in the orthotopic colorectal group.The average tumor weight was (2.78±1.86) g and the average survival time was (45.00±11.99) d.The tumor formation rate was 27.78 ％ (5/18) in the subcutaneous inoculation group.The average tumor weight was (1.74±0.82) g,and the average survival time was (60.00±0.00) d.Conclusion 0.1 ml (2×107/ml) human colon cancer cell suspension HCT116 inoculated into BALB/c nude mice orthotopic colorectal with self-made inoculator could establish human colorectal cancer animal model successfully.

Objective To establish a method for preparing orthotropic transplantable hepatocellular carcinoma in mice. Methods According to the liver detailed anatomical structure of the mouse, 50 μl mouse ascites containing 1 ×106 and 5 ×105 mouse hematoma H22 cells was input to liver in 12 Kunming mice through percutaneous intraperitoneal injection by syringe, respectively, to establish orthotopic transplantable hepatocellular carcinoma model. The growth status of mice was observed, and the pathological changes of liver and tumor metastasis tissues were detected. The tumor formation and metastasis were analyzed. Results The tumor formation rate was 100% (12/12) by direct injection of mouse hematoma H22 cells in 2 groups. The inoculated mice started to appear ascites at the 6th day, and all mice produced ascites at the 10th day. The survival time was (16.17 ±3.07) d and (18.08 ±3.34) d in 1 ×106 group and 5 ×105 group, respectively. Some mice emerged tumor metastasis in kidney, intestine, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes. Conclusion The method of direct injection could establish orthotropic transplantable hepatocellular carcinoma model in mice, which can be used for antitumor drug research.

AIM:To investigate the pathologic role of aldosterone and protective effect of aldosterone receptor antagonist on peritoneal fibrosis in peritoneal dialysis rats .METHODS:A peritoneal fibrosis rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide ( at 1 d, 3 d, 5 d and 7 d, 0.6 mg/kg) and dialysate ( daily intraperitoneal injection of 4.25%dialysate, 100 mL/kg).At the same time, spironolactone (an aldosterone receptor antagonist , 100 mg? kg -1? d-1 ) was given to the model rats .After 4 weeks, the expression of aldosterone synthase CYP 11B2, 11β-hydrox-ysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2), mineralocorticoid receptor (MCR), and inflammatory factors were detected by immunohistochemistry , real-time PCR and Western blotting .RESULTS:The rat model of peritoneal fibrosis was suc-cessfully established .At the same time, the injury of mesothelial cells , deposition of collagen fibers and thickness of perito-neal were increased .Moreover , the infiltration of macrophages in the peritoneum/dialysate was increased .The level of al-dosterone and the expression of MCR , 11β-HSD2 and CYP11B2 in fibrotic peritoneum were obviously up-regulated as com-pared with normal rats .The expression of NF-κB/MCP-1 was also increased .However , treatment with spironolactone alle-viated peritoneal fibrosis and reduced the expression of NF-κB/MCP-1.CONCLUSION:Local aldosterone is involved in the process of peritoneal fibrosis via NF-κB/MCP-1 pathway.Spironolactone alleviates peritoneal fibrosis of peritoneal dial-ysis.

Objective To compare the effects between the impact of IL-7Rα,bacterial flagellin alone to the acute graft-versus-host disease and the combination of both,and to explore its possible mechanism.Methods The BALB/C (H-2d) female mice as recipients were divided into alone irradiation transplantation group (group A),IL-7Rα intervention group (group B),bacterial flagellin intervention group (group C),IL-7Rα combined with bacterial flagellin intervention group (group D),and 6 mice in each group.All mice were accepted 9 Gy 60Co total body irradiation,and 1×107 bone marrow cells and 2× 107 spleen cells of donors C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice were infused via the tail vein to recipient mice.The symptoms,signs,survival time and hematopoietic function recovery of the recipient mice were observed.Results Mice survival of group A was (22.5±2.30) d,30 d survival rate was 50.0 ％ (3/6),and aGVHD performances inculding the fatigue,anorexia,hair removal,arched,and so on appeared obviously.Survival of group B was (25.83±3.49) d,30 d survival rate was 33.3 ％ (2/6),aGVHD performances compared with group A was lighter.Survival of group C was (26.33±3.52) d,30 d survival rate was 33.3 ％ (2/6),also appeared aGVHD performance,which degree was same to the group B.survival of group D was (30.17±2.86) d,30 d survival rate was 66.7 ％ (4/6),aGVHD performances compared to the other three groups was lightest.The white blood cell count of four groups were reduced to minimum at +7 d,then the three intervention groups gradually recovered.The WBC recovery at 14,21,28,30 day after the transplant of group A compared with slowly was the intervention groups (P ＞ 0.05),WBC recovery of B was roughly equal to group C (P ＞ 0.05),while the WBC recovery of group D was faster than group B or C (P ＜ 0.05).At 2nd week after transplantation,CD3+ T cells was significantly decreased in 4 groups,and at 3rd week began gradually rised.Compared with group A,the proportion of CD3+ cells of other three groups were increased significantly,there was no statistical signifiance of CD3+ cell proportion between group B and group C at 2nd,3rd,4th week after transplantation (P ＞ 0.05),while the CD3+ T cell recovery in group D was faster than group B or C (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The stable aGVHD mouse model was established.Exogenous IL-7Rα and bacterial flagellin may reduce the incidence of aGVHD.There was no significant difference for aGVHD when they was used alone,but when combination of them,aGVHD is slighter and the hematopoietic recorery is faster.

Objective To observe the effects of brazilin on proliferation and apoptosis in T24 cells.Methods Trypan blue exclusion test was performed to detect the inhibition of brazilin on the growth of T24 cell lines in vitro cultured within different time.After exposure to different concentrations of brazilin,homogeneous bioluminescence assay was used to detect the inhibitory action of brazilin,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 activity on T24 cells.Cellular apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry (FCM) and observed by laser scanning confocal microscope.Results Brazilin could significantly inhibit the proliferation of T24 cells after 8 hours,the inhibitory rates of the brazilin at concentration of 25,50,100,200 μg/ml against T24 cells respectively were 43.19 ％,60.73 ％,86.38 ％ and 93.89 ％ (P ＜ 0.05).After exposured to 50 μg/ml of brazilin,the inhibition ration to T24 cells increased with time prolonging (52.72 ％ in 4 h,60.73 ％ in 8 h,91.77 ％ in 24 h,96.41％ in 48 h) (P ＜ 0.05).The activity of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 increased slightly when brazilin was at 25 μg/ml,but there was no statistical differences compared with that in the control group (P ＞ 0.05).When cells were treated with an increase of the concentration of brazilin from range of 7.5-60 μg/ml for 16 hours,the apoptosis ratio in turn showed a upward trend of 0.15 ％,1.35 ％,2.91％,34.76 ％.It could be seen by laser scanning confocal microscope that the apoptosis occurred in the cells.Conclusion Brazilin can effectively inhibit the proliferation of T24 cells and induce apoptosis in a dose and time dependent manner.

Objective To establish a mouse model of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation,and using exogenous interleukin-7 receptor alpha (IL-7Rα) intervene mice aGVHD and analyse its possible mechanism.Methods The BALB/C (H-2d) female mice as recipients were grouped by rat: the irradiation group (group A),irradiation transplantation group (group B) and IL-7Rα in the intervention group (group C),each 10.ALL mice were accepted 9 Gy60Co total body irradiation.1×107 bone marrow cells and 2×107 spleen cells of donor C57BL/6 (H-2b) via the tail vein were infused to recipient mice.The signs of the recipient mice,hematopoietic functional recovery and survival time of change,and pathology,chimerism and cytokine levels in checkwere observed.Results Mice in A group after irradiation were gradually death,in group B and group C mice after transplantation had typical aGVHD symptoms,but lighter signs and a longer survival time of Group C than in group B.WBC count in Group C was +14 d (4.53± 0.21) ×109/L,+21 d (3.63±0.06) ×109/L,+28 d (4.31±0.04) ×109/L,was hematopoietic recovery compared with Group B [+14 d (1.81±0.05) ×109/L,+21 d (1.32±0.04) ×109/L,+28 d (1.76±0.04) ×109/L],the difference was statistically significant (t =0.237,0.108,0.359,P ＜ 0.05).The pathological results of liver,spleen,skin histopathology in group C were better than group B.Chimera implants,plasma IL-7 levels after transplant +7 d,concentration was significantly increased.IL-7 concentration in group C was +14 d (194.32±1.02) pg/ml,+21 d (131.63±1.54) pg/ml and in group B was +14 d (330.24±8.08) pg/ml,+21 d (184.09±2.05) pg/ml,the difference was statistically significant (t =1.590,1.285,P ＜0.05).Conclusion The stable aGVHD mouse model was established.In aGVHD early,plasma IL-7 levels were significantly increased.Exogenous IL-7Rαcan reduce the plasma IL-7 levels,thereby reducing the incidence of aGVHD after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Objective To search for the anticancer active substance from Caesalpinia sappan wood extractions. Methods Crude extracts were extracted from Caesalpinia sappan wood with different solvents.Liquid chromatography was applied to analyze the content of each essential component in the extraction fractions. Trypan blue exclusion test was performed to detect the growth suppression rate of human bladder carcinoma cell line T24 treated by the extraction fractions at different time course (20,40,60,80,100 min).The main component positively correlated with the cell suppression rate was separated out using repeated chromatography, thus the anticancer active monomer was obtained, with purity over 98 ％. The chemical constitution was determined using NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), mass spectrum and infrared spectrum methods. T24 cell line, human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3, mice sarcoma S180 and hepatic carcinoma H22 cell were chosen as target subjects, with mitomycin, hydroxycamptothecin as positive control drug, the inhibitory activity of the monomer was tested by trypan blue chromophobia method. Results Among the extraction fractions, R12 has a positive correlation with the cell suppression rate (r100 min=0.941, P＜0.001).Brazilin is the key component in R12.The inhibition rate of brazilin could reach 90.89 ％,98.65 ％,99.82 ％ and 100.00 ％ on T24,SKOV3,S180 and H22 respectively in 40 min at the concentration of 1.2 mg/ml,and its effect is much superior to that of the control drug mitomycin and hydroxycamptothecin. Conclusion Brazilin is one of the essential anticancer principles in Caesalpinia sappan wood.