Effect of Anluohuaxian Tablet Combined with y-IFN on Schistosomal Liver Fibrosis

The therapeutic effects of anluohuaxian tablet combined with γ-IFN on schistosomal liver fibrosis and its mechanism were studied in a murine model and clinical cases of schistosomal liver fibrosis.Fifty Kunming mice were randomly divided into 5 groups:normal control group,infection control group,anluohuaxian tablet-treated group,γ-IFN-treated group and combined treatment (anluohuaian tablet+γ-IFN) group.Pathologic changes in liver,including hepatic pigmentation and the size of schistosomal egg granuloma,were observed by HE staining after treatment for 8 weeks.The expression of the type Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagen,and TIMP-1 was detected by immunohistochemistry.TGF-β1 mRNA expression was examined by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.Sixty patients with schistosomal liver fibrosis were divided into treatment group and control group.The patients in treatment group were treated with anluohuaxian tablet in combination with γ-IFN for 6 months.Be-fore and after treatment,the changes of symptoms and signs,liver function,serum liver fibrosis in-dexes and imaging indexes were observed.The results showed that as compared with infection con-trol group,all forms of treatments relieved the hepatic pathological injury with apparently diminished size of schistosomal egg nodules and decreased percentage of pigmentation (P<0.05).Furthermore,the expression of collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ,TIMP-Ⅰ,and TGF-β1 mRNA in combined treatment group was significantly decreased as compared with anluohuaxian tablet-treated and γ-IFN-treated groups (P<0.05).In the clinical observation,the serum liver fibrosis indexes,the portal vein width as well as the spleen thickness was significantly reduced in treatment group as compared with control group (P<0.05).It was concluded that the combined use of anluohuaxian tablet with γ-IFN in schistosomal liver fibrosis could protect liver function,alleviate liver fibrosis,and could be used as a choice in treating patients with schiatosomal liver fibrosis.     

Clinical study on treatment of liver fibrosis of chronic hepatitis B patients with Ginkgo leaf

Objective: To study the anti-liver fibrosis effect of Ginkgo leaf in patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods: Eighty-six patients with chronic hepatitis B were randomly divided into two groups with similar general condition. The 42 patients in the treated group were treated with Ginkgo leaf tablet (GLT), and the 44 patients in the control group were treated with Yiganling tablet (益肝灵片). The treatment was conducted for 3 successive months in both groups. Changes in the histo-pathology of liver, serum levels of platelet activating factor (PAF), hyaluronic acid (HA), collagen type Ⅳ (C-Ⅳ), laminin (LN) and pro-collagen peptide type Ⅲ (PCⅢ)were observed before and after treatment. Results: The markedly effective rate and the total effective rate in the treated group were 45.1% and 76.2% respectively, while in the control group the corresponding rates were 18.2% and 43.2%. Comparison between the two groups showed significant difference (P<0.01). Serum levels of PAF, HA, C-Ⅳ, LN and PCⅢ were lowered significantly in the treated group after treatment. Compared with the corresponding parameters in the control group after treatment, the differences were all significant (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The pathological examination of liver showed improvement in both groups, the inflammation grade lowered in 10 patients (55.6%) of the treated group and in 5 patients (35.7%) of the control group, insignificant difference was shown between them. But in comparing the fibrosis staging lowering patients between the two groups, 12 patients (66.7%) vs 3 patients (21.4%), the difference was significant (P<0.05). Moreover, there were 4 patients in the control group with their fibrosis aggravated, while in the treated group, none was aggravated (P<0.05).Conclusion: Ginkgo leaf tablet has some liver protective and anti-liver fibrosis benefits.     

Endocannabinoids anandamide and its cannabinoid receptors in liver fibrosis after murine schistosomiasis

This study examined endogenous carmabinoid （ECB）-anandamide （AEA） and its cannabinoid receptors （CBR） in mice liver with the development ofschistosomajaponicum. Mice were infected with schistosoma by means of pasting the cercaria onto their abdomens. Liver fibrosis was pathologically confirmed nine weeks after the infection. High performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） was employed to determine the concentration of AEA in the plasma of mice. Immunofluo-rescence was used to detect the expression of CBR1 and CBR2 in liver tissue. Morphological examination showed typical pathological changes, with worm tubercles of schistosoma deposited in the liver tissue, fibrosis around the worm tubercles and infiltration or soakage of inflammatory cells. Also, CBR1 and CBR2 were present in hepatocytes and hepatic sinusoids of the two groups, but they were obviously enhanced in the schistosoma-infected mice. However, the average optical density of CBR1 in the negative control and fibrosis group was 13.28±7.32 and 30.55±7.78, and CBR2 were 28.13±6.42 and 52.29±4.24 （P〈0.05）. The levels of AEA in the fibrosis group were significantly increased as compared with those of the control group. The concentrations of AEA were （0.37±0.07） and （5.67±1.34） ng/mL （P〈0.05）. It is concluded that the expression of endocannabinoids AEA and its cannabinoid receptor CBR were significantly increased in schistosoma-infected mice. Endogenous endocannabinoids may be involved in the development of schistosoma-induced liver fibrosis.     

Expression of conneetive tissue growth factor in sinusoidal endothelial cell of schistosomal hepatic fibrosis mice

Objective To explore the possible correlations of connective tissue growth factor （CTGF）, liver sinusoidal endothelial cell and the formation of basal membrane under hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells by observing the expression of CTGF in sinusoidal endothelial cells of schistosomal hepatic fibrosis mice. Methods The liver fibrosis model was established by abdominal infection with schistosomal cercaria. Both model group and control group had 40 mice each.     

Upregulation of TNF-α mRNA in hepatic fibrosis rats induced by dimethylnitrosamine

Objective：To observe the expression level of TNF-α mRNA in rats with hepatic fibrosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine （DMN） and to explore its relationship with collagen metabolism and its diagnostic value for hepatic fibrosis.Methods： Twenty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group （n=10） and model group （n=15）. Model rats were induced by DMN for 4 weeks and at final stage were executed. TNF-α mRNA were detected by RT-PCR and the inflammatory necrosis and collagen deposition in hepatic tissue were observed by HE stain and Sirius red stain. The liver functions were determined by automatic biochemical analytic device. The serum marks of liver fibrosis, such as HA, LN and Ⅳ-C were measured with ELISA and RIA. Results： In this study, the rat model of liver fibrosis induced by DMN was successfully constructed. RT-PCR reveals that TNF-α mRNA expression in control group is lower than that of model group. The liver functions of model group were impaired compared with those of the control group （P〈0.01）. Semi-quantitive analysis revealed that TNF-α/β-actin of normal rats was 0.39±0.12, while 0.93±0.05 of model rats. The concentration of HA （434.44±98.81 vs 252.9±26.59 ng/ml, P〈0.01）, LN （70.67±6.32 vs 37.90±5.97 ng/ml, P〈0.01） and Ⅳ-C （79.39±10.52 vs 21.40±4.17 ng/ml, P〈0.01） were significantly increased in the model group as well. Changes of the indexes were similar to the pathological damage of the liver. Conclusion： The results suggested that activation of TNF-α in liver tissues may be the common pathogenic mechanism of liver fibrosis. TNF-α may be a useful index for the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis which worthies further investigation.     

Fasudil hydrochloride hydrate, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, ameliorates hepatic fibrosis in rats with type 2 diabetes

Background Hyperglycemia may accelerate liver fibrosis.Currently,there is no effective treatment for liver fibrosis induced by type 2 diabetes.The study aim was to investigate whether RhoA/Rho kinase （ROCK） pathway is involved in liver fibrosis in the rats with type 2 diabetes and define the protective effects of fasudil on livers.Methods A rat model of type 2 diabetes was established by high fat diet combined with streptozotocin （30 mg/kg,intraperitoneal injection）.Animals were randomly assigned to 3 groups：control rats,untreated diabetic rats that received vehicle and fasudil-treated diabetic rats that received ROCK inhibitor fasudil hydrochloride hydrate （10 mg/kg per day,intraperitoneal injection,for 14 weeks）.The morphological features of liver were observed by HE staining.Accumulation of collagen in livers was determined by Masson staining and the measurement of hydroxyproline.The mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-β1 （TGFβ1）,connective tissue growth factor （CTGF）,type-Ⅰ,and type-Ⅲ procollagen was assessed with real-time polymerase chain reaction.The phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase target subunit-1 （MYPT1）and the protein levels of TGFβ1 and α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） were evaluated by Western blotting.Results Compared with control rats,untreated diabetic rats showed higher values of collagen and hydroxyproline in livers （P ＜0.01）,the phosphorylation of MYPT1 and the protein levels of TGFβ1 and α-SMA were increased （P ＜0.01）,and the mRNA expression of TGFβ1,CTGF,type-Ⅰ,and type-Ⅲ procollagen was upregulated （P ＜0.01）; compared with untreated diabetic rats,treatment with fasudil signifcantly reduced values of collagen and hydroxyproline （P ＜0.01）,and decreased the phosphorylation of MYPT1 and the levels of TGFβ1 and α-SMA （P ＜0.01）,concomitant with the downregulation of TGFβ1/CTGF,type-Ⅰ,and type-Ⅲ procollagen mRNA expression （P ＜0.01）.Conclusions Fasudil ameliorates liver fibrosis in rats with type 2 diabetes at least partly by inhibiting TGFβ1/CTGF pathway and α-SMA expression.Inhibition of RhoA/ROCK may be a novel therapeutic target for liver fibrosis in diabetic non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.     

Effect of antimicrobial agents on the toll-like receptors and inflammatory cytokines in liver tissue of the alcohol-induced liver disease in rats with Vibrio vulnificus sepsis

Background Septicemia and inflammation-mediated septic shock caused by Vibrio vulnificus （VV） is strongly associated with chronic liver disease. This study examined the effects of antimicrobial therapy on expression of hepatic toll-like receptors and inflammatory cytokines in rats with alcohol-induced liver disease complicated by VV sepsis. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to the following treatment groups： normal control （N）, alcoholic liver disease control （A）, antimicrobial-treated alcoholic liver disease control （AA）, alcoholic liver disease with VV sepsis （AV）, and antimicrobial-treated alcoholic liver disease with VV sepsis （AVA）. Alcohol-induced liver disease was observed in all groups except N. Expression of mRNAs encoding hepatic toll-like receptors 2 and 4, myeloid differentiation protein-2, tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）, interleukin （IL）-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 was determined by RT-PCR. Results mRNAs encoding toll-like receptors 2 and 4 and myeloid differentiation protein-2 were significantly up-regulated in group AV as compared to control groups at 2-24 hours of sepsis; peak expression occurred at 12 hours. These mRNAs were also up-regulated in group AVA but to lesser degrees than in group AV at comparable time post-infection, mRNAs encoding TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly elevated in group AV as a function of infection. In group AVA as compared to AV, expression of TNF-α and IL-1β mRNAs was lower at 12-24 hours post-infection and expression of IL-6 mRNA was lower at 24 hours post-infection. Compared with control groups, IL-10 mRNA expression in group AV was markedly higher at 12-24 hours of sepsis. Expression of IL-10 mRNA was lower in group AVA as compared to AV at 24 hours of sepsis. Conclusions Antimicrobial therapy reduces expression of toll-like receptors and cytokines in rats with alcohol-induced liver disease complicated by VV sepsis. Monitoring hepatic toll-like receptor and cytokine expression during antibiotic therapy may be valuable for determining the course of VV sepsis in subjects with liver disease.     

Influence of Fuzheng Huayu Tablet (扶正化瘀片) on mental state and social function of patients with post-hepatitis B liver cirrhosis

Objective:To observe the influence of Fuzheng Huayu Tablet(扶正化瘀片,FZHYT)on mental state and social activity of patients with post-hepatitis B liver cirrhosis(LC-HB).Methods:Adopting grouped randomized double-blinded control method,180 LC-HB patients in 3 research centers were distributed to 2 groups,the treated group and the control group,90 in each group.Patients in the treated group were administered with FZHYT;while those in the control group treated with conventional therapy combined with placebo,the course for ail patients were 6 months.Their mental state and social activity were evaluated before treatment,after 3 months’ treatment and at terminal of the 6-month therapeutic course by estimating with Zung self-rating anxiety scale(SAS),self-rating depression scale(SDS)and social deficit screening scale(SDSS). Additionally,the basic demographic materials,liver function,cirrhosis index,hepatic and splenic images,blood coagulation function,etc.in the patients were tested and compared as well.Results:As compared with before treatment,the normal rate of SAS and SDS scores increased and the social deficit rate decreased in the treated group significantly after treatment,showing statistical significance(P<0.05 or P<0.01);while in the control group, change was only shown in the social deficit(P<0.01),inter-group comparisons after treatment showed significant differences in all the three indexes(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Additionally,after treatment,levels of liver function, cirrhosis,blood coagulation function and splenomegaly in the treated group were all improved significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the improvements were better than those in the control group(P<0.01)in levels of total bilirubin(TBIL),albumin(ALB),typeⅣcollagen(Ⅳ-C),prothrombin time(PT),prothrombin activity(PTA). Conclusion:Most patients of LC-HB have mental disturbance and social activity deficit,which could definitely be improved by intervention with Chinese FZHYT.     

Clinical pathological study of treatment of chronic hepatitis with hyperbaric oxygenation

Objective To detect the feasibility and theoretic basis for treatment with hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) in chronic hepatitis and to compare the changes in hepatic function, immunity, pathologic morphology, ultrastructure and HBV in hepatic tissues before and after treatment. Methods Sixty cases of chronic hepatitis were randomly selected and divided into two groups: the experiment (n=30) and control groups (n=30). Patients in the experimental group were treated with HBO for 6 courses. Patients in the control group were treated for 60 days with the usual drugs used in the clinic. The function and bloodstream graph of liver were examined and liver biopsies were made before and after treatments. Routine paraffin sections were stained with HE and observed under the light microscope. Ultra thin slides from paraformaldehyde and glutaraldehyde fixed liver tissue were stained with lead citrate and observed with the transmission electric microscope. HBsAg and HBcAg in liver of the experimental group were detected with ABC immunohistochemistry method before and after treatment. Results For the experimental group, ALT, SB, γ-GT, AKP, IgG, and IgM in blood and the degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes were remarkably decreased (P&lt;0.05), the mean contractive wave of bloodstream in liver and the bloodstream in right ramus of janitrix were remarkably increased (P&lt;0.05), and the swelling of mitochondria, increase of lysosomes, generation of Kupffer cells, infiltration of lymphocytes in portal area and capillary generation were all remarkably alleviated (P&lt;0.05) after treatment with HBO. There were significant differences between the experimental and control groups after treatment with different methods (P&lt;0.05). For patients in the experimental group, the fibrosis and fat-storing cells in the liver were not reduced (P&gt;0.05), and the expression of HBsAg and HBcAg in liver was not weakened (P&lt;0.05) after treatment. Conclusions Treatment with HBO for chronic hepatitis was effective and recommendable, but it could not reverse liver fibrosis. However, it might be able to delay or prevent the liver from fibrosis, so it might be more effective at the early and middle stages of chronic hepatitis. HBO could not inhibit the HB virus. So we consider that treatment with HBO should be simultaneous with anti HBV therapy.     

Acupuncture Treatment for 15 Cases of Post-traumatic Coma

In order to observe the effects of acupuncture combined with point-injection therapy on post-traumatic coma, 30 such cases were randomly divided into the following two groups. The patients in the control group were simply treated with the basic neural medical treatment; while patients in the treatment group were treated by acupuncture and point-injection therapy in addition to the above treatment. Comparisons were made between the two groups in the therapeutic effects by GCS evaluations as well as in the changes of main symptoms. The results showed that the GCS value in the treatment group was higher than that of the control group, but with no statistical significance （P〉0.05）. However, the main symptoms of the patients in treatment group, such as aphasia, hemiplegia, and injuries of cranial nerves （including injuries of the facial, oculomotor and abducent nerves） were obviously improved, showing significant differences as compared with the control group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion can be made that acupuncture combined with point-injection has the consciousness-inducing effect for post-traumatic coma, and shows good effects for the cranial nerve iniuries and aohasia.     

Assessment of Fibrosis during the Development of Fatty Liver in Rabbits using Real-time Shear-wave Elastography

Nonalcoholic and alcoholic rabbit models of fatty liver were established by feeding on high-fat diet and alcohol, respectively, and fatty liver stiffness at different pathological stages was as- sessed with real-time shear-wave elastography （SWE）, so as to investigate the fibrosis process during the development of fatty liver. The fatty liver stiffness of rabbit in nonalcoholic and alcoholic groups was higher than that in the control group, and that in alcohol group was higher than that in the nonalco- holic group （P〈0.01）. The elasticity modulus of liver in fatty liver rabbits of nonalcoholic and alcoholic groups showed a positive correlation with progression of liver fibrosis （P〈0.01）. Real-time SWE, as a noninvasive diagnostic method, can objectively reflect the liver stiffness change and progression of liver fibrosis during the development of fatty liver.     

Dynamic Observation of Liver Fibrosis in Mice Infected with Schistosoma japonica

Summary： The expression of TNF-α in the liver at different periods post Schistosoma japonica infection and the effect on liver fibrosis after supplementary injection of these cytokines were investigated. The mice infected with schistosome cercariae were divided into 3 groups., normal control group, TNF-α-untreated infection group and TNF-α-treated infection group. ABC immunohistochemistry and pathologic image multimedia quantification system were applied to dynamically detect the activity of TNF-α. The results showed that the levels of TNF-α in the liver in TNF-α-untreated infection group were slowly decreased with prolongation of infection time （from 8th, 11th, 14th to 18th week）, while in the TNF-α-treated infection group, those were increased significantly after intraperitoneal injection of TNF-α at 6th week after infection. At first to 8th week after the final injection of TNF-α, the intrahepatic TNF-α levels in the TNF-α-treated infection group were significantly higher than in the other two groups （P〈0.01）, and the granulomatous inflammation and fibrosis in the liver were also milder in the normal control group. It was concluded that at the early stage of Schistosoma japonica infection mouse liver mainly released Thl cytokine and TNF-α from Thl activated macrophages. Six weeks after infection （post egg deposition）, exogenous supplement with intraperitoneal injection of TNF-α could induce the enhanced expression of Thl cytokines and alleviate the liver granulomatous inflammation and fibrosis.     

Effects of a plasmid expressing antisense tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 on liver fibrosis in rats

Background No efficient therapy for liver fibrosis has been available. This study was aimed to provide evidence that the introduction of a plasmid expressing antisense tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) into a rat model of immunologically induced liver fibrosis can result in the increased activity of interstitial collagenase, thus enhancing the degradation of collagen.Methods Real-time nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-Nested-PCR) and gene recombination techniques were used to construct a rat antisense TIMP-1 recombinant plasmid that can be expressed in eukaryotic cells. Both the recombinant plasmid and an empty vector (pcDNA3) were encapsulated with glycosyl-poly-L-lysine and injected into rats suffering from pig serum-induced liver fibrosis. The expression of exogenous transfected plasmid was assessed by Northern blot, RT-PCR, and Western blot. Hepatic interstitial collagenase activity was detected using fluorescinisothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled type Ⅰ collagen. In addition to hepatic hydroxyproline content, hepatic collagen types Ⅰ and Ⅲ were detected by immunohistochemical staining, and the stages of liver fibrosis by Van Gieson staining.Results Exogenous antisense TIMP-1 was successfully expressed in vivo and could block the gene and protein expression of TIMP-1. Active and latent hepatic interstitial collagenase activities were elevated (P&lt;0.01), hepatic hydroxyproline content and the accumulation of collagen types Ⅰ and Ⅲ were lowered, and liver fibrosis was alleviated in the antisense TIMP-1 group (P&lt;0.01) as compared with the model group. Conclusion The results demonstrate that antisense TIMP-1 recombinant plasmids have some inhibitory effect on liver fibrosis.     

Effect of p27 Gene Combined with Pientzehuang (片仔癀) on Tumor Growth in Osteosarcoma-Bearing Nude Mice

Objective:To observe the effect of p27 gene recombinant adenovirus combined with Chinese medicine Pientzehuang(片仔癀) on the growth of xenografted human osteosarcoma in nude mice.Methods:Tissue transplantation was used to construct the orthotopic model of human osteosarcoma Saos-2 cell in nude mice.Thirty tumor-bearing nude mice were randomly divided into 5 groups with 6 mice in each group:blank control group(model of osteosarcoma),empty vector group(recombinant adeno-associated virus-multiple cloning site),Pientzehuang group,p27 gene group and combined treatment group(p27 gene combined with Pientzehuang).The effect of combined treatment on human osteosarcoma was analyzed through the tumor formation,tumor volume and inhibition rate of tumor growth.The expression of p27 was measured by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot.Results:The orthotopic model of osteosarcoma in nude mice was successfully constructed.The general appearance of tumor-bearing nude mice in Pientzehuang and p27 gene groups was markedly improved compared with the blank control group;and in the combined treatment group it was significantly improved compared with the Pientzehuang and p27 gene groups.The tumor growth in the Pientzehuang and p27 gene groups was significantly inhibited compared with the blank control group(P0.05);while in the combined treatment group it was markedly inhibited compared with the Pientzehuang and p27 gene groups(P0.05).The rates of tumor growth inhibition were 34.1%,56.5%and 63.8%in the Pientzehuang,p27 gene and combined treatment groups,respectively.Meanwhile,the protein expression of p27 gene in the p27 gene group was significantly increased compared with the blank control group(P0.05);and it was significantly increased in the combined treatment group compared with the p27 gene and Pientzehuang groups(P0.05).Conclusion:p27 gene introduced by adenovirus combined with Pientzehuang can inhibit the growth of human osteosarcoma cell Saos-2 in nude mice.     

Scanning electron microscopic observation: three-dimensional architecture of the collagen in hepatic fibrosis rats

Background In the process of hepatic fibrosis, the accumulation of collagen fibers is strongly related to the hepatic function. The aim of this study was to investigate the three-dimensional architecture of the collagen network in the liver of rats with hepatic fibrosis. Methods Healthy adult male Wistar rats （n=32） were randomly divided into a control group （n=16） and a hepatic fibrosis group （n=16）. In the control group, the rats were treated with peanut oil while the rats in hepatic fibrosis group were treated for 10 weeks with 60% CCI4 diluted in peanut oil. The quantity of collagen fibers was detected by Western blotting; distribution of the collagen was detected by sirius red staining and polarized microscope; the three-dimensional architecture of collagen in the liver was observed under the scanning electron microscope after fixed tissues were treated with cell-maceration using NaOH. Statistical analysis was performed using the u test. Results The quantity of collagen fibers increased significantly in the hepatic fibrosis group. With the aggravation of hepatic fibrosis, collagen fibers gradually accumulated. They interlaced the reticulation compartment and formed a round or ellipse liver tissue conglomeration like a grape framework that was disparate and wrapped up the normal liver Iobule. The deposition of collagen fibers was obvious in adjacent hepatic parenchyma, especially around the portal tracts. Conclusion Our experiment showed the collagen proliferation and displays clearly the three-dimensional architecture of collagen fibers in rat liver with hepatic fibrosis by scanning electron microscope. It can provide a morphological foundation for the mechanisms of changed haemodynamics and portal hypertension in hepatic fibrosis.     

Effects of Da Ding Feng Zhu Decoction in 30 Cases of Liver Fibrosis

To study the clinical effects of Da Ding Feng Zhu (大定风珠) Decoction on liver fibrosis. 56 patients withliver fibrosis due to chronic hepatitis B were randomly divided into a treatment group (30 cases treatedwith Da Ding Feng Zhu Decoction) and a control group (26 cases treated with colchicine). The serumlevels of hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen Ⅲ (PC-Ⅲ), Ⅳ collagen (Ⅳ-C) and Laminin (LN) of thepatients were determined, compared and analyzed before treatment and after 3-month treatment in the twogroups. The results showed that in the treatment group, the levels of HA, PC-Ⅲ, Ⅳ-C and LN after3-month treatment were significantly lowered as compared to that before treatment (P＜0.01). In thecontrol group, only the HA level was obviously lowered (P＜0.05). There was an significant difference(P＜0.05) in PC-Ⅲ and Ⅳ-C and a very significant difference (P＜0.01) in HA after treatment between thetwo groups. It is therefore concluded that Da Ding Feng Zhu Decoction can lower serum indexes of liverfibrosis.     

Efficacy and safety of tauroursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of liver cirrhosis: A double-blind randomized controlled trial

No direct comparison of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has yet been carried out in the treatment of liver cirrhosis in China. We designed a double-blind randomized trial to evaluate the potential therapeutic efficacy of TUDCA in liver cirrhosis, using UDCA as parallel control. The enrolled 23 patients with liver cirrhosis were randomly divided into TUDCA group (n=12) and UDCA group (n=11), and given TUDCA and UDCA respectively at the daily dose of 750 mg, in a randomly assigned sequence for a 6-month period. Clinical, biochemical and histological features, and liver ultrasonographic findings were evaluated before and after the study. According to the inclusion criteria, 18 patients were included in the final analysis, including 9 cases in both two groups. Serum ALT, AST and ALP levels in TUDCA group and AST levels in UDCA group were significantly reduced as compared with baseline (P<0.05). Serum albumin levels were significantly increased in both TUDCA and UDCA groups (P<0.05). Serum markers for liver fibrosis were slightly decreased with the difference being not significant in either group. Only one patient in TUDCA group had significantly histological relief. Both treatments were well tolerated and no patient complained of side effects. It is suggested that TUDCA therapy is safe and appears to be more effective than UDCA in the treatment of liver cirrhosis, particularly in the improvement of the biochemical expression. However, both drugs exert no effect on the serum markers for liver fibrosis during 6-month treatment.     

Regulatory effect of Langchuang serial recipes on T-lymphocyte subsets Th and Tc in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective： To study the principle of clearing Fei （肺）, cooling blood, and detoxification as well as nourishing yin and moisening Fei （abbr. as CCD-NM） in regulating the levels of peripheral T-lymphocyte subsets Th and Tc cells to explore its mechanism for lowering the incidence of infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus iSLE）. Methods： Sixty SLE patients without complicated infection were assigned to the treatment group and the control group, 30 in each group. The control group was treated with Western medicine alone, while the treatment group was treated with the same program of Western medicine, but additionally administered with either Langchuang No.1 （狼疮 Ⅰ号） or 2 （狼疮 Ⅱ 号）, serial concerted Chinese recipes, applied respectively in patients in the active stage or in the resting stage. The total time of treatment for both groups was 1 year. Further, a healthy control group was set up with 20 healthy subjects. The expressions of Thl, Th2, and Tcl and Tc2 cells in peripheral blood were detected and compared with those in the healthy control group. Results： （1） As compared with the healthy control group, ratios of Thl/Th2 and Tcl/Tc2 in SLE patients, whether complicated with infection or not, were significantly lower （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. （2） Comparison between patients with complications and those uncomplicated with infection showed that the two ratios and Thl expression were lower and Tc2 was higher in the former than those in the latter （all P〈0.05）. （3） Ratios of Thl/Th2 and Tcl/Tc2 increased after treatment in patients of both the treatment group and the control group （P〈0.05 and P〈0.01）, but the changes in the treatment group were more significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The principle of CCD-NM could regulate the Th and Tc subsets toward equilibrium in SLE patients, which might be one of the mechanisms of action for alleviating complicated infection.     

Treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer with extracorporeal high frequency thermotherapy combined with Chinese medicine

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy and benefit response of extracorporeal high frequency thermotherapy （EHFT） combined with Chinese medicine （CM） in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Methods： The study adopted a prospective, small sample and randomized controlled method, and the advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients were assigned to two groups according to the table of random digits, one having the treatment of EHFT combined with CM （the treatment group）, the other only with CM （the control group）. The patients in the treatment group were treated with EHFT one hour once per day, together with CM differentiation decoction, 250 mL orally taken, twice daily for 14 days as one cycle, and 3-4 cycles was performed. The patients in the control group were treated only with CM differentiation decoction using the same dose as the treatment group. The efficacies were evaluated after three to four cycles of treatment. Primary endpoints were disease control rate （DCR） and time to progression （TTP）. Secondary endpoints were overall survival time and 1-year survival rate. Results： Sixty-six patients accomplished the study. After the patients underwent different treatments, none of the patients got a complete response or partial response in both groups. In the treatment group, DCR was 72.2%, and 10 had progression of disease （28.8%）, while the DCR of the control group was 63.3%, and 11 had progression of disease （36.7%）; there was a significant statistical difference （P0.05）, suggesting that the combined regimen had superiority on the DCR. As for long-term efficacy, the median survival time （MST） of the treatment group was 7.5 months, TTP was 5.5 months, and 1-year survival rate was 21.4 %; in the control group, the results were 6.8 months, 4.5 months and 16.6% respectively. There was significant statistical difference on TTP （P0.05）, but no difference on MST or 1-year survival rate. Conclusion： EHFT combined with CM differentiation has better tolerance and short-term efficacy in the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC.