Objective: To learn the status and influencing factors of development among infants at ages of 0 to 36 months in Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou City, so as to provide the reference for promoting healthy development of infants. Methods: Infants at ages of 0-36 months who underwent physical examination in Child Health Clinic of Xiaoshan District Community Health Service Center were selected in 2022. General data of infants and their mothers were collected through questionnaires, and the development status of infants was screened by Age and Stages Questionnaire (third edition). Factors affecting the development status were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 2 519 infants were investigated, including 1 339 males (53.16%) and 1 180 females (46.84%). There were 608 infants with abnormal development of at least one functional area of communication (CM), gross motor (GM), fine motor (FM), problems solving (CG) and personal-social (PS). The abnormal rate was 24.14%, and the abnormal rates of the above functional areas were 9.77%, 6.59%, 7.98%, 6.39% and 9.33%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that gender (male, OR=1.563, 95%CI: 1.191-2.052), mother's childbearing age (≥35 years, OR=1.411, 95%CI: 1.001-1.988), mother's educational level (lower than junior college, OR=1.460, 95%CI: 1.116-1.912) were factors affecting abnormal development of CM; preterm birth (OR=2.323, 95%CI: 1.315-4.103) was factors affecting abnormal development of GM; gender (male, OR=1.654, 95%CI: 1.225-2.232) was factors affecting abnormal development of FM; gender (male, OR=1.511, 95%CI: 1.086-2.102) and mode of delivery (cesarean section, OR=1.460, 95%CI: 1.060-2.010) were factors affecting abnormal development of CG; gender (male, OR=1.340, 95%CI: 1.019-1.763) and birth weight (low birth weight, OR=1.985, 95%CI: 1.149-3.432) were factors affecting abnormal development of PS. Conclusions The rate of abnormal development among infants at ages of 0 to 36 months in Xiaoshan District is 24.14%. Gender, preterm birth, mode of delivery, birth weight, mother's childbearing age and mother's educational level could affect the development status of infants.

Objective:To investigate the expression of N6-methyladenosine(m6A) modification-related genes and their possible roles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with primary gouty arthritis (GA).Methods:Forty-five patients each with acute gout (AG), intermittent gout (IG), and age-and gender-matched healthy controls (HC) were collected from the outpatient clinic of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the Affiliated Hospital of Chuanbei Medical College between October and December of 2023. The expression levels of m6A modification-related genes (METTL3、METTL14、WTAP、FTO、ALKBH5、IGF2BP2、IGF2BP3、YTHDF1、YTHDC2) in PBMCs among the 3 groups were detected by RT-qPCR and correlation analysis with clinical indicators was performed. Measurements conforming to normal distribution were analyzed using ANOVA or t-tests, and data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis H-test and Mann-Whitney U-test for data that is not-normaly distributed. The value of m6A modification-related genes for the diagnosis of GA was evaluated using subject characterization curve ROC. Results:①There were statistically significant differences in the expression of IGF2BP2 ( Z=-3.59, P<0.001)、WTAP ( Z=-5.25, P<0.001)、METTL14 ( Z=-3.62, P<0.001)、YTHDF1 ( Z=-2.12, P=0.034)and YTHDC2 ( Z=-2.00, P=0.045) in the disease group and the normal control group. Among them, the expression of IGF2BP2 in the GA group [28.08 (17.99, 47.06)×10 -4] was significantly higher than that in the HC group [19.23 (12.90, 25.78)×10 -4], and the expressions of WTAP、METTL14、YTHDF1 and YTHDC2 in the GA group [298.61 (213.61, 377.80)×10 -4, 9.94 (6.43, 13.46)×10 -4, 52.63 (28.22, 72.77)×10 -4, 40.24 (20.74, 73.32)×10 -4] were significantly lower than those in the HC group [398.45(339.88, 454.89)×10 -4, 13.27(11.07, 15.85)×10 -4, 64.43(43.61, 87.10)×10 -4, 53.11(36.37, 79.28)×10 -4]. Further subgroup analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the expression of IGF2BP2、WTAP、METTL14、YTHDF1 and YTHDC2 among the 3 groups ( H=19.62、31.73、13.14、16.64、28.90, all P≤0.001). The expressions of WTAP and METTL14 in the AG group [311.13(234.96, 426.67)×10 -4, Z=-3.27, P=0.001; 9.64 (5.21, 15.21)×10 -4, Z=-2.71, P=0.008] and IG group [272.27 (203.29, 347.95)×10 -4, Z=-5.78, P<0.001; 10.40(6.88, 12.88)×10 -4, Z=-3.54, P=0.003] were lower than those in the HC group [398.45 (339.88, 454.89)×10 -4, 13.27(11.07, 15.85)×10 -4]. However, there was no significant difference between AG and IG group ( P>0.05). Both YTHDF1 and YTHDC2 were significantly lower in the AG group [38.10(16.19, 56.78)×10 -4, 24.31 (14.35, 42.77)×10 -4] than those in the IG group [64.13 (48.28, 74.40)×10 -4(Z=-3.54, P<0.001, 65.49 (39.89, 91.23)×10 -4(Z=-4.96, P<0.001)] and HC group [64.43 (43.61, 86.92)×10 -4(Z=-3.51, P<0.001), 53.11 (36.37, 79.28)×10 -4(Z=-4.25, P<0.001)]. But there was no statistically significant difference between IG and HC groups ( P>0.05); IGF2BP2 was significantly lower in the AG group [25.32(16.40, 40.43)×10 -4, Z=-2.46, P=0.014] and HC group [19.23 (12.90, 25.78)×10 -4, Z=-4.54, P<0.001] than in the IG group [31.10(22.60, 49.58)×10 -4], but the comparison between AG and HC showed no statistically significant difference( P>0.05). ②Spearman correlation analysis showed that in GA patients, the expression of IGF2BP2、METTL14 and YTHDF1 was positively correlated with plasma glucose、blood uric acid(sUA) and total cholesterol level respectively ( r=0.22, P=0.037; r=0.38, P=0.003; r=0.23, P=0.034), and WTAP was negatively correlated with GLU ( r=-0.25, P=0.020). ③The ROC curve for the joint prediction of the five differential genes showed that the 95% CI for area under the curve in GA was 0.90 (0.84, 0.95). Conclusion:The m6A modification-related genes are abnormally expressed in GA and are correlated with clinical indicators such as GLU and UA, which are hypothesized to be involved in the pathogenesis of GA and have a certain reference value for the evaluation of metabolism in GA patients.

AIM To investigate the clinical effects of Lingxian Tongluo Capsules combined with Wentong Acupuncture Method on patients with lumbar disc herniation.METHODS One hundred and four patients were randomly assigned into control group(52 cases)for 30-day intervention of both Wentong Acupuncture Method and conventional treatment,and observation group(52 cases)for 30-day intervention of Lingxian Tongluo Capsules,Wentong Acupuncture Method and conventional treatment.The changes in clinical effects,TCM syndrome scores,lumbar function indices(ODI index score,JOA score),VAS score,inflammatory factors(TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6),hemorheological indices(plasma viscosity,whole blood high-shear viscosity,whole blood low-shear viscosity)and incidence of adverse reactions were detected.RESULTS The observation group demonstrated higher total effective rate than the control group(P＜0.05).After the treatment,the two groups displayed decreased TCM syndrome scores,ODI index score,VAS score,inflammatory factors and hemorheological indices(P＜0.05),and increased JOA score(P＜0.05),especially for the observation group(P＜0.05).No significant difference in incidence of adverse reactions was found between the two groups(P＞0.05).CONCLUSION For the patients with lumbar disc herniation,Lingxian Tongluo Capsules combined with Wentong Acupuncture Method can safely and effectively relieve clinical symptoms,promote lumbar function recovery,reduce pain degree,alleviate inflammatory responses,and improve hemorheology.

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the most common tumor types and remains a major clinical challenge.Increasing evidence has revealed that mitophagy inhibitors can enhance the effect of chemotherapy on HCC.However,few mitophagy inhibitors have been approved for clinical use in humans.Pyrimethamine(Pyr)is used to treat infections caused by protozoan parasites.Recent studies have reported that Pyr may be beneficial in the treatment of various tumors.However,its mechanism of action is still not clearly defined.Here,we found that blocking mitophagy sensitized cells to Pyr-induced apoptosis.Mechanistically,Pyr potently induced the accumulation of autophagosomes by inhibiting autophagosome-lysosome fusion in human HCC cells.In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that Pyr blocked autophagosome-lysosome fusion by upregulating BNIP3 to inhibit synaptosomal-associated protein 29(SNAP29)-vesicle-associated membrane protein 8(VAMP8)interaction.Moreover,Pyr acted synergistically with sorafenib(Sora)to induce apoptosis and inhibit HCC proliferation in vitro and in vivo.Pyr enhances the sensitivity of HCC cells to Sora,a common chemotherapeutic,by inhibiting mitophagy.Thus,these results provide new insights into the mechanism of action of Pyr and imply that Pyr could potentially be further developed as a novel mitophagy inhibitor.Notably,Pyr and Sora combination therapy could be a promising treatment for malignant HCC.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a congenital, motile ciliopathy with pleiotropic symptoms. Although nearly 50 causative genes have been identified, they only account for approximately 70% of definitive PCD cases. Dynein axonemal heavy chain 10 (DNAH10) encodes a subunit of the inner arm dynein heavy chain in motile cilia and sperm flagella. Based on the common axoneme structure of motile cilia and sperm flagella, DNAH10 variants are likely to cause PCD. Using exome sequencing, we identified a novel DNAH10 homozygous variant (c.589C > T, p.R197W) in a patient with PCD from a consanguineous family. The patient manifested sinusitis, bronchiectasis, situs inversus, and asthenoteratozoospermia. Immunostaining analysis showed the absence of DNAH10 and DNALI1 in the respiratory cilia, and transmission electron microscopy revealed strikingly disordered axoneme 9+2 architecture and inner dynein arm defects in the respiratory cilia and sperm flagella. Subsequently, animal models of Dnah10-knockin mice harboring missense variants and Dnah10-knockout mice recapitulated the phenotypes of PCD, including chronic respiratory infection, male infertility, and hydrocephalus. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report DNAH10 deficiency related to PCD in human and mouse models, which suggests that DNAH10 recessive mutation is causative of PCD.
Humans ; Male ; Animals ; Mice ; Semen/metabolism* ; Dyneins/metabolism* ; Cilia/metabolism* ; Mutation ; Ciliary Motility Disorders/genetics*

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of action and prognostic value of Dynamin 3 (DNM3) in gastric cancer.Methods:The bioinformatic analysis, experimental study and retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data, fresh gastric cancer tissues, paired normal tissues and the corresponding paraffin sections of 153 gastric cancer patients who underwent radical gastrectomy in Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from January 2013 to July 2018 were collected. Tissues and the corresponding paraffin sections were subjected to quanti-tative real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting assay, flow cytometric cell cycle assay and immunohistochemical staining, respectively, and clinicopathological data were used for prognostic analysis. The stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) dataset from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was collected for bioinformatic analysis. Observation indicators: (1) DNM3 gene expression in TCGA-STAD in gastric cancer; (2) mutations and copy number alterations of DNM3 in gastric cancer; (3) methylation level of promoter of DNM3 in gastric cancer; (4) relative protein expression of DNM3 and p53 in gastric cancer; (5) DNM3 correlation and enrichment analysis; (6) ratio of G0/G1 phase, S phase and G2/M phase of cell cycle progression; (7) correlation between immune cell infiltration and DNM3 in gastric cancer; (8) correlation between results of immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and clinical features; (9) analysis of independent factors influencing 5-year overall survival rate of gastric cancer patients. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD, and comparison among multiple groups was conducted using the ANOVA and further comparison between two groups was conducted using the LSD. Comparison between two groups was conducted using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and compari-son between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was conducted using the rank sum test. The Pearson correlation coefficient or Spearman correlation coefficient was used to test the correlation between groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using the COX proportional risk regression model. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curves and calculate survival rates, and the Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. The Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate correction was used for adjusting of the P-value. Results:(1) DNM3 gene expression in TCGA-STAD. The expression levels of DNM3 gene in the 27 tumor tissues and paired normal tissues of the TCGA-STAD database were 0.775(0.605,1.161) and 1.216(0.772,1.681), showing a significant difference between them ( Z=?2.64, P<0.05). The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of DNM3 gene in 48 pairs of gastric cancer tissues and paired normal tissues of the author′s center were 4.370(2.870,6.040) and 2.520(0.850,4.170), showing a significant difference between them ( Z=?4.39, P<0.05). (2) Mutations and copy number alterations of DNM3 in gastric cancer. There were 16 gastric cancer patients in the TCGA-STAD database with DNM3 mutation or somatic copy number alterations, including 6 cases with missense mutations, 1 case with truncated mutation, 8 cases with copy number gain and 1 case with copy number loss. The mRNA expression levels of DNM3 gene before and after mutation in the 370 gastric cancer patients of the TCGA-STAD database were 6.13(5.40,7.08) and 5.02(3.98,5.46), showing a significant difference between them (Log 2FC=?1.11, Z=?2.59, P<0.05). (3) Methylation level of promoter of DNM3 in gastric cancer. There were 372 gastric cancer patients in the TCGA-STAD database undergoing DNM3 methylation and mRNA examinations, and the results showed that levels of methylation and mRNA expression of DNM3 was 0.198 (-0.458, 0.301) and 6.014 (5.141, 6.628), respectively. The levels of methylation in DNM3 was negatively correlated with its mRNA expression ( r=?0.38, P<0.05). Results of follow-up in 32 patients showed that the 3-year overall survival rate of 16 cases with high levels of methylation in DNM3 and 16 cases with low levels of methylation in DNM3 was 18.8% and 41.3%, respectively, showing a significant difference between them ( hazard ratio=1.40, P<0.05). Results of immunoblot-ting assay showed that the relative expression level of DNM3 protein in the AGS cells treated with 0, 0.5, and 1.0 μmol/L of 5-azacytidin was 0.270±0.020, 0.357±0.051 and 0.599±0.039, respectively, showing a significant difference among the three groups ( F=57.84, P<0.05). The relative expression level of DNM3 protein in the HGC-27 cells treated with 0, 0.5, and 1.0 μmol/L of 5-azacytidin was 0.316±0.038, 0.770±0.031 and 0.877±0.052, respectively, showing a significant difference among the three groups ( F=156.30, P<0.05). (4) Relative protein expression of DNM3 and p53 in gastric cancer. Results of immunoblotting assay showed that the relative expression of DNM3 and p53 protein was 0.688±0.047 and 0.872±0.041 in the AGS cells transfected with pCMV-DNM3 plasmid, versus 0.249±0.029 and 0.352±0.020 in the AGS cells transfected with control plasmid, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two types of cells ( t=13.77,19.74, P<0.05). The relative expression of DNM3 and p53 protein was 0.969±0.069 and 1.464±0.081 in the HGC-27 cells transfected with pCMV-DNM3 plasmid, versus 0.456±0.048 and 0.794±0.052 in the HGC-27 cells transfected with control plasmid, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two types of cells ( t=10.57, 12.06, P<0.05). (5) DNM3 correlation and enrichment analysis. Results of correlation analysis showed that DNM3 was positively correlated with genes such as RBMS3, CNTN4 and PDE1A ( r=0.52, 0.52, 0.50, P<0.05) and negatively correlated with genes such as SLC25A39, PAICS and GAPDH ( r=?0.41, ?0.40, ?0.40, P<0.05) in gastric cancer. Results of gene set enrichment analysis showed that the set of genes related to ribosome and oxidative phosphorylation were upregulated in gastric cancer patients with DNM3 low expression [normalized enrichment score (NES)=?3.30, ?2.16, P<0.05], while the set of genes related to immunomodulatory interactions between lymphocytes and non-lymphoid cells were upregulated in gastric cancer patients with DNM3 high expression (NES=1.67, P<0.05). Results of gene ontology analysis showed that the low expression of DNM3 was associated with the separation of mitotic sister chromatid (No.0000070), nonsense-mediation of nuclear transcriptional mRNA catabolic process, sister chromatid separation (No.0000819), nuclear transcriptional mRNA catabolic process and regulation of oxidative phos-phorylation (NES=?2.29, ?3.10, ?2.33, ?2.56, ?2.68, P<0.05). Results of Kyoto encycl opedia of genes and genomes analysis showed that metabolic pathway related to ribosome and oxidative phosphory-lation were upregulated and crosstalked in gastric cancer with low expression of DNM3 (NES=?3.34, ?2.21, P<0.05). (6) Ratio of G0/G1 phase, S phase and G2/M phase of cell cycle progression. Results of flow cytometric cell cycle experiments showed that the proportions of G0/G1 phase, S phase and G2/M phase in the cell cycle was 65.1%±3.0%, 17.3%±3.0% and 17.6%±1.0% in the AGS cells transfected with pCMV-DNM3 plasmid, versus 53.4%±4.0%, 26.3%±2.0% and 20.3%±3.0% in the AGS cells transfected with control plasmid, showing significant differences in the proportions of G0/G1 phase and S phase in the two types of cells ( t=4.05, 4.32, P<0.05). (7) Correlation between immune cell infiltration and DNM3 in gastric cancer. Results of immune cell infiltration examination showed that the expression level of DNM3 was positively associated with mast cells, NK cells, pDCs, B cells, follicular helper T cells, effector memory T cells, T cells, central memory T cells, CD8 T cells, DC cells, macrophages, γ-δ T cells (Tgd), iDCs and eosinophils infiltration (Spearman correlation coefficients as 0.41, 0.29, 0.26, 0.20, 0.22, 0.22, 0.13, 0.16, 0.15, 0.14, 0.14, 0.17, 0.18, 0.22, P<0.05) and negatively associated with Th17 cell, Th2 cells and NK CD56 dim cells infiltration ( r=?0.18, ?0.23, ?0.10, P<0.05). (8) Correlation between results of IHC staining and clinical features. Results of IHC staining analysis showed that the IHC score of DNM3 was 3(2,4) in the 105 gastric cancer tissues, versus 6(4,9) in the 105 paired normal tissues, showing a significant difference between them ( Z=-7.35, P<0.05). There were significant differences in gender, tumor location and N stating between the 70 patients with low expression of DNM3 and the 35 patients with high expression of DNM3 ( χ2=4.29, 7.67, 6.86, P<0.05). (9) Analysis of independent factors influencing 5-year overall survival rate of gastric cancer patients. Results of multivariate analysis showed that stage pT3?4 and low IHC score of DNM3 were independent risk factors for 5-year overall survival rate of gastric cancer patients ( hazard ratio=1.91, 0.51, 95% confidence interval as 1.06?3.43, 0.26?0.98, P<0.05). The 5-year overall survival rate was 44.3% in patients with low expression of DNM3, versus 65.7% in gastric cancer patients with high expression of DNM3, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=5.02, P<0.05). Conclusion:DNM3 is a tumor suppressor and an independent predictor of poor prognosis for gastric cancer, which may regulate gastric cancer cell cycle and immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment through methylation.

Kunxian Capsule (KX) is a popular Chinese patent medicine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, nephrotic syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and eczema. However, there is scarcity of comprehensive information on the significance of KX in the clinical application and its side effects. Hence, it is aimed to provide a review of the significance of KX, with a focus on the pharmacological effects, clinical applications, and its adverse reactions. This review was based on the published literatures in PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and WanFang database. The articles were collected by two independent authors with no time limits applied until November 30, 2022. The search term includes Kunxian Capsule and/or clinical effect, pharmacology, disease, therapy, adverse effects and quality control. KX has been shown to be effective in the treatment of autoimmune arthritis by inhibiting inflammatory responses and inducing apoptosis. Many studies suggest that KX has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that aid in the improvement of joint functions. KX dispels wind, removes dampness, invigorates the kidneys, and promotes blood circulation, thereby curing various diseases. However, studies also suggest KX-related adverse reactions in multiple systems. Overall, this review highlights the scientific basis of KX in curing or preventing various diseases and provides novel insights for further research and clinical applications.

This study aimed to explore the potentiating effect and mechanism of the extract of Jingfang Granules(JFG) on the activation of macrophages. The RAW264.7 cells were treated with JFG extract and then stimulated by multiple agents. Subsequently, mRNA was extracted, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was used to measure the mRNA transcription of multiple cytokines in RAW264.7 cells. The levels of cytokines in the cell supernatant were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). In addition, the intracellular proteins were extracted and the activation of signaling pathways was determined by Western blot. The results showed that JFG extract alone could not promote or slightly promote the mRNA transcription of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, MIP-1α, MCP-1, CCL5, IP-10, and IFN-β, and significantly enhance the mRNA transcription of these cytokines in RAW264.7 cells induced by R848 and CpG in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, JFG extract also potentiated the secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, and IFN-β by RAW264.7 cells stimulated with R848 and CpG. As revealed by mechanism analysis, JFG extract enhanced the phosphorylation of p38, ERK1/2, IRF3, STAT1, and STAT3 in RAW264.7 cells induced by CpG. The findings of this study indicate that JFG extract can selectively potentiate the activation of macrophages induced by R848 and CpG, which may be attributed to the promotion of the activation of MAPKs, IRF3, and STAT1/3 signaling pathways.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Plant Extracts/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Macrophages ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism*

Draconis Sanguis is a precious Chinese medicinal material for activating blood and resolving stasis, and its effective components are flavonoids. However, the structural diversity of flavonoids in Draconis Sanguis brings great challenges to the in-depth chara-cterization of its chemical composition profiles. To clarify the substance basis of Draconis Sanguis, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was used in this study to acquire MS data of Draconis Sanguis. The molecular weight imprinting(MWI) and mass defect filtering(MDF) were developed for rapid screening of flavonoids in Draconis Sanguis. Full-scan MS and MS~2 were recorded within the mass range m/z 100-1 000 in positive ion mode. Accor-ding to previous literature, MWI was employed to hunt for reported flavonoids in Draconis Sanguis, and the mass tolerance range of [M+H]~+ was set as ±10×10~(-3). A five-point MDF screening frame was further constructed to narrow the screening range of flavonoids from Draconis Sanguis. Combined with diagnostic fragment ions(DFI) and neutral loss(NL) as well as mass fragmentation pathways, 70 compounds were preliminarily identified from the extract of Draconis Sanguis, including 5 flavan oxidized congeners, 12 flavans, 1 dihydrochalcones, 49 flavonoids dimers, 1 flavonoids trimer and 2 flavonoid derivatives. This study clarified the chemical composition of flavonoids in Draconis Sanguis. Moreover, it also showed that high-resolution MS combined with data post-processing methods such as MWI and MDF could achieve rapid characterization of the chemical composition in Chinese medicinal materials.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Flavonoids ; Immune Tolerance ; Molecular Weight ; Plant Extracts/chemistry*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-angiogenic activity of Kunxian Capsule (KX) extract and explore the underlying molecular mechanism using zebrafish. METHODS: The KX extract was prepared with 5.0 g in 100 mL of 40% methanol followed by ultrasonication and freeze drying. Freeze dried KX extract of 10.00 mg was used as test stock solution. Triptolide and icariin, the key bioactive compounds of KX were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography. The transgenic zebrafish Tg(flk1:GFP) embryos were dechorionated at 20-h post fertilization (hpf) and treated with PTK 787, and 3.5, 7, 14 and 21 µg/mL of KX extract, respectively. After 24-h post exposure (hpe), mortality and malformation (%), intersegmental vessels (ISV) formation, and mRNA expression level of angiogenic pathway genes including phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) were determined. Further, the embryos at 72 hpf were treated with KX extract to observe the development of sub-intestinal vein (SIV) after 24 hpe. RESULTS: The chromatographic analysis of test stock solution of KX extract showed that triptolide and icariin was found as 0.089 mg/g and 48.74 mg/g, respectively, which met the requirements of the national drug standards. In zebrafish larvae experiment, KX extract significantly inhibited the ISV (P<0.01) and SIV formation (P<0.05). Besides, the mRNA expression analysis showed that KX extract could significantly suppress the expressions of PI3K and AKT, thereby inhibiting the mRNA levels of ERKs and MAPK. Moreover, the downstream signaling cascade affected the expression of VEGF and its receptors (VEGFR and VEGFR-2). FGF-2, a strong angiogenic factor, was also down-regulated by KX treatment in zebrafish larvae. CONCLUSION KX extract exhibited anti-angiogenic effects in zebrafish embryos by regulating PI3K/AKT-MAPK-VEGF pathway and showed promising potential for RA treatment.
Animals ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Zebrafish