The Proteomic Research of the Cure of Experimental Diabetes Deafness by Granules of Eliminating Phlegm and Removing Blood Stasis

Objective: Observing the expression changes of serum proteome in model rats after intervention of the Granules of Eliminating Phlegm and Removing Blood Stasis (豁痰祛瘀颗粒 also known as GEPRB), screening out and identifying the differentially expressed proteins by mass spectrometry and bioinformatics analysis, discussing the molecular mechanism of control the Diabetes deafness by GEPRB. Methods: By use of proteomics technology, the serum protein serum proteome of the control group, model control group, Duxil and each observation group were observed for 2-DE gel pattern matching, and the difference in the relative content of 2 times was chosen for the differentially expressed proteins. Identification of differentially expressed proteins by MALDI-TOF MS/MS, the authors further analysis the phosphorylation, subcellular localization, interaction, direct regulation, and transmembrane of the differences proteins by the way of bioinformatics analysis. Sixty SPF level SD rats elected in diabetic rats model group (abbreviated as DM group) were be randomly divided into 5 groups based on random number sheet, namely model control group, positive drug control group (Du-ke-xi group) and Mai-tong-fang high, medium and low dose group respectively. In addition, set of normal control group. 10 rats in each group. Results: By Coomassie brilliant blue staining, identified 51 differential protein spots dug from 2-D gel by mass spectrometry, successfully identified 13 non-redundant proteins. Most of the identified proteins were secreted protein and belong to different protein families. There were about 12 proteins have the transmembrane region from the authors’ result, ten of them were plasma membrane proteins. Conclusion: It’s suggesting that 13 differential proteins is most likely the protein response to GEPRB in vivo, these proteins may play key role for the treatment of GEPRB to Diabetes deafness. The two highly differentially expressed proteins Apolipoprotein E (apoE) and C3 may be a potential drug target of GEPRB.     

Inhibition of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9: A Novel Mechanism of Berberine and 8-hydroxy Dihydroberberine against Hyperlipidemia

Objective:To investigate the effect and molecular mechanisms of different doses of 8-hydroxy dihydroberberine(Hdber) for the treatment of hyperlipidemia in rats.Methods:A rat model of hyperlipidemia was established by feeding rats a high-fat diet for 4 weeks in 70 rats of 80 animals,and 10 rats were randomly selected as control group.The hyperlipidemic rats were then randomly divided into the following groups:a model group(MOD);a berberine group[BBR,156 mg/(kg·day)];Hdber groups,which were treated with different doses of Hdber[78,39 and 19.5 mg/(kg·day)];and a simvastatin group[SIM,4 mg/(kg·day)].The corresponding therapy was administered to the rats of each treatment via gastric tubes.Normal animals were used as a control group.The blood levels of various lipids,including total cholesterol,triglycerides,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,free fatty acid(FFA),apolipoprotein AⅠ(Apo-A Ⅰ) and apolipoprotein B(Apo-B) were examined.The protein expressions of low-density lipoprotein receptor(LDL-R),sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2(SREBP-2),3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase(HMGCR) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9(PCSK-9) in liver tissues were determined by Western blot analysis.Results:Compared with the control group of rats,the model group demonstrated a deteriorated blood lipid profile and exhibited increased expression levels of PCSK-9protein in their liver tissues(P0.01).In addition,the high-fat diet decreased the expression levels of LDL-R,SREBP-2and HMGCR proteins in murine liver tissues.However,the addition of berberine or Hdber reversed the blood lipid profile changes(P0.05 or P0.01),decreased the expression levels of PCSK-9 proteins(P0.01),and increased the expression levels of LDL-R proteins in the hyperlipidemic rats(P0.01).These compounds did not significantly influence the expression levels of SREBP-2 and HMGCR proteins in the hyperlipidemic rats.Conclusions:Hdber is effective in the treatment of hyperlipidemia in rats.The therapeutic mechanisms of Hdber may be associated with increasing the expression of LDL-R protein and decreasing the expression of PCSK-9 protein in liver tissues.     

Effects of isoflurane on ICAM-1 expression and neutrophils infiltration in rats with liver ischemia and reperfusion injury

Objective： To establish a rat model of warm partial hepatic ischemia-reperfusion （IR）, and investigate the protective and anti-inflammatory effects of isoflurane on warm hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury （IRI） in rats. Methods： Thirty-two female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally into 4 groups （n-8）： PB-Sham group in which the rats were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital sodium （1.0%, 40 mg/kg, PB） and received a sham operation without occlusion of liver blood flow; PB-IR group whose rats underwent partial hepatic IR after anesthesia; Iso-Sham group in which inhalation of 1.0 MAC isoflurane and sham operation was performed; Iso-IR group in which 1.0 MAC isoflurane was inhaled for 4 h and IR was performed. Rat model of warm partial hepatic IR was established by clamping the hepatic arteries and hilar vessels distributing to the left and median lobes to induce partial hepatic ischemia （70%） for 60 rain followed by reperfusion for 3 h. The rats were killed 3 h after declamping, and specimens of liver tissue and blood were obtained. The serum ALT and AST were detected as liver damage markers. Viability of myeloperoxidase （MPO） in liver was measured. The protein level of ICAM-1 in the liver was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results： Rats treated with 1.0 MAC isoflurane during warm partial （70%） hepatic ischemia 60 rain and 3 h reperfusion had significantly lower serum ALT and AST compared with rats anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium subjected to hepatic IRI. The expression of ICAM-1 in hepatic tissue was significantly increased by hepatic IRI after pentobarbital sodium anesthesia. Isoflurane significantly inhibited protein expression of ICAM-1 in hepatic IR injury compared with pentobarbital sodium anesthesia. Viability of liver MPO was significantly increased by hepatic IRI after pentobarbital sodium anesthesia; Isoflurane can significantly inhibit MPO alteration in rat liver ischemia-reperfusion injury compared with rats anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium. Conclusion： Isoflurane anesthesia can attenuate liver IR injury in rats that maybe by inhibiting ICAM-I expression and reducing the infiltration of neutrophils.     

Screening disease-associated proteins from sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a comparative proteomic study

Background Rheumatoid arthritis （RA） is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation at the synovial membrane. Although great progress has been made recently in exploring the etiology and pathogenesis of RA, its molecular pathological mechanism remains to be further defined and it is still a great challenge in determining the diagnosis and in choosing the appropriate therapy in early patients. This study was performed to screen candidate RA-associated serum proteins by comparative proteomics to provide research clues to early diagnosis and treatment of RA. Methods Sera isolated from 6 RA patients and 6 healthy volunteers were pooled respectively and high-abundance proteins were depleted by Plasma 7 Multiple Affinity Removal System. The protein expression profiles between the two groups were then compared by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis （2-DE） and the proteins over/under-expressed by more than 3-fold were identified by mass spectrometry analysis. To validate the differential expression levels of the identified proteins between the two groups, ELISA was performed in two of the identified proteins in individual sera from 32 RA patients and 32 volunteers. Results Eight proteins which over/under-expressed in sera of RA patients were identified. Among them, chain A of transthyretin （TTR） was under-expressed, while serum amyloid A protein, apolipoprotein A （ApoA）-IV, ApoA-IV precursor, haptoglobin 2, ceruloplasmin （Cp）, immunoglobulin superfamily 22 and HT016 were over-expressed. ELISA test confirmed that Cp expressed remarkably higher while TTR obviously lower in RA group compared with volunteer group. Conclusion There were 8 identified proteins differentially expressed between RA group and volunteer group, which might be candidate RA-associated proteins and might be promising diagnostic indicators or therapeutic targets for RA.     

Proteomic analysis of down-regulated proteins in colonic mucosa of chronic slow transit constipation rats

Objective： To investigate the alternations of proteins in the colonic mucosa of chronic slow transit constipation （STC） rats with a 2-DE-based proteomic method and analyze the function of these down-regulated proteins so as to provide theoretical basis for the pathogenesis of intestinal mucosa of chronic STC rats. Methods： STC model was established by feeding rats with 8 mg/（kg＇d） diphenoxylate for 120 d. An experimental model of chronic STC rat was used for separation of proteomics from colonic mucosa using two-dimensional electrophoresis （2-DE）. Proteins altered in expressional level were identified by Image Master 2DElite, mass spectrometry, and bibliometrics were applied to identify the differential protein expression and their clinical s observed in the pathogenesis lgn of ificance and function were analyzed. Results： Obvious differential protein expression was STC, including mast cell protease （A1）, non-specific dipeptidase （A2） and chondrosome succinate dehydrogenase precursor （A3）. The expressions of A1, A2 and A3 were down-regulated in the gel graph of STC rats Conclusion： The down-regulation of chondrosome succinate dehydrogenase, mast cell protease as well as non-specific dipeptidase in rat colon suggests the functional impairment of the oxidoreduction of mitochondrion is very important in the genesis and development of STC. The immunological reaction of STC rats is weakened, and the function of digesting and absorbing protein may be damaged to some extent.     

Quantitative Study of Iron Metabolism-related Genes Expression in Rat

Objective To investigate the multiple iron metabolism-related genes expression, its regulation by iron and the expression correlation among the genes in rat tissues. Methods Two groups （n=30） of Sprague-Dawley female weanling rats were fed with a control diet and an iron deficient diet respectively for 4 weeks. All rats were then sacrificed, and blood and tissue samples were collected. The routine blood examination was performed with a veterinary automatic blood cell analyzer. Elemental iron levels in liver, spleen and serum were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mRNA expression of genes was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Results After 4 weeks, the hemoglobin （Hb） level and red blood cell （RBC） count were significantly lower in the iron deficient group compared with those in the control group. The iron levels in liver, spleen and serum in the iron deficient group were significantly lower than those in the control group. In reference to small intestine, the relative expression of each iron-related gene varied in the different tissues. Under the iron deficiency, the expression of these genes changed in a tissue-specific manner. The expression of most of the genes significantly correlated in intestine, spleen and lung, but few correlated in liver, heart and kidney. Conclusion Findings from our study provides new regulation by iron and correlation among the mRNA divalent metal transporter 1, ferritin, iron regulation protein, hepcidin, ferroportin 1 and hephaestin in intesti understandings about the relative expression, expressions of transferrin receptors 1 and 2, proteins 1 and 2, hereditary hemochromatosis ne, liver, spleen, kidney, heart, and lung of rat.     

Berberine ameliorates renal injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by suppression of both oxidative stress and aldose reductase

Background Berberine is one of the main constituents of Coptidis rhizoma （CR） and Cortex phellodendri. In this study, we investigated the beneficial effects of berberine on renal function and its possible mechanisms in rats with diabetic nephropathy （DN）.
Methods Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups： normal, diabetic model, and berberine treatment groups. Rats in the diabetic model and berberine treatment groups were induced to diabetes by intraperitonal injection with streptozotocin （STZ）. Glomerular area, glomerular volume, fasting blood glucose （FBG）, blood urea nitrogen （BUN）, serum creatinine （Cr） and urine protein for 24 hours （UP24h） were measured using commercially available kits. Meanwhile, the activity of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, content of malondialdehyde （MDA） in serum, activity of aldose reductase （AR） and the expression of AR mRNA and protein in kidney were detected by different methods.
Results The results showed that oral administration of berberine （200 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） significantly ameliorated the ratio of kidney weight to body weight. Glomerular area, glomerular volume, FBG, BUN, Cr and UP24h were significantly decreased in the berberine treatment group compared with the diabetic model group （P〈0.05）. Berberine treatment significantly increased serum SOD activity and decreased the content of MDA compared with diabetic model group （P 〈0.05）. AR activity as well as the expression of AR mRNA and protein in the kidney was markedly decreased in the berberine treatment group compared with diabetic model group （P 〈0.05）.
Conclusion These results suggested that berberine could ameliorate renal dysfunction in DN rats through controlling blood glucose, reduction of oxidative stress and inhibition of the activation of the polyol pathway.     

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and its pathogenic effects in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Objective:To investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and its pathological effect in the experimental nonalcoholic fatty liver of rats,and to explore its possible mechanism.Methods:The rat NAFLD model was established by giving a fat-enriched diet.The blood samples were obtained form abdominal aorta and the levels of serum ALT,AST and IL-1,changes in the hepatic tissue 6-k-PGF1α TXB2 were measured.The expression level of COX-2 in rats livers were assayed by immunohistochemistry,RT-PCR and Western-blot.Results:Light microscope analysis revealed that hepatocytes were injured in the model group and slightly in the treatment group.The levels of serum TXB2 and IL-1 in the fatty liver rats were increased.Compared with the model group,the IL-1 and TXB2 increased significantly(P < 0.05),on the contrary,compared with the normal group,the hepatic tissue 6-Keto-prostagland decreased significantly in the model group(P < 0.05),the treatment group also increased but P > 0.05.There was no positive expression of COX-2 in hepatic tissue of normal rats.In the model group,there was positive expression of COX-2 antigen and the number of COX positive cells progressively increased at 4,8,12 wks.The intensity of expression of COX-2 had significantly increased(P < 0.05)and the intensity of COX-2 expression in the treated group decreased remarkably compared with the model group(P < 0.05).The expression of COX-2 mRNA and the level of COX-2 protein were significantly stronger in the liver of model rats compared with normal rats,and significantly weaker in treated rats,than in 8W and 12W model rats(P < 0.05).Conclusion:The increase of COX-2 expression in NAFLD is closely associated with the severity of liver inflammation and damage.COX-2 may play an important role in the progression of rat NAFLD,and the expression of COX-2 mRNA is downregulated by cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor,which can depress the oxidative stress and control inflammatory response efficiently.     

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.     

Study on effects of Zhi Zi(Fructus gardeniae) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the rat

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of Zhi Zi(Fructus Gardeniae) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet in the rat.METHODS:A rat model of NAFLD was established using a high-fat diet.Twenty one rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group and a Zhi Zi treatment group,7 rats per group.Drinking water and the drug were intragastrically administrated for 5 weeks.Samples were then taken to observe pathological changes of the liver tissue(HE staining);changes in the fat metabolism pathway e.g.triglyceride(TG) and free fatty acid(FFA) content;alterations in liver function,i.e.serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) activity;and differences in tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) and P-IkB protein expression in the liver tissue.RESULTS:Fatty degeneration and vacuole-like changes of different degrees occurred in hepatic cells of the model group.Markers for fat metabolism,serum ALT and AST activities,and expressionof TNF-α and P-IkB proteins in liver tissue significantly increased.Fat metabolism in the Zhi Zi group significantly reduced,as shown by a drop in marker levels.Serum ALT and AST activities,and expression of TNF-α,P-IkB proteins in liver tissue were also significantly decreased in this group.CONCLUSION:Zhi Zi has a very strong inhibitory action on lipidosis and inflammatory injury in the rat model of NAFLD.This mechanism may possibly be related to the inhibition of the free fatty acid metabolism pathway.     

Effect of Chinese herbal medicine for activating blood circulation and detoxifying on expression of inflammatory reaction and tissue damage related factors in experimental carotid artery thrombosis rats

Objective：To observe the pharmaceutical effect of Chinese drugs for activating blood circulation （Xiongshao Capsule,XSC,芎芍胶囊）and for activating blood circulation and detoxification（Xiongshao Capsule and Huanglian Capsule,XSHLC,黄连胶囊）in terms of the indices of thrombosis,inflammatory reaction and tissue damage related factors in experimental carotid artery thrombosis rats.Methods：Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group,the model group,the Simvastatin group（SG）,the activating blood circulation（ABC）group,and the activating blood circulation and detoxifying（ABCD）group,with 10 rats in each group.Simvastatin（1.8 mg/kg）,XSC（0.135 g/kg）and XSHLC（0.135 g/kg）were administered to Simvastatin,ABC and ABCD group by gastrogavage,and an equal volume of normal saline was given to the sham operation group and the model group.After 2 weeks of successive medication,the rats in the model and all drug therapy groups were made into experimental carotid artery thrombosis model.The serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases（MMP-9）,tissue inhibitors to metalloproteinase（TIMP-1）,granule membrane protein-140（GMP-140）,tissue-type plasminogen activator（t-PA）,high-sensitivity C-reactive protein（hs-CRP） and interleukin-6（IL-6）were detected with enzyme-linked immunoassay 24 h later.Results：Compared with the model group,the levels of serum GMP-140,hs-CRP,IL-6 and MMP-9 were significantly decreased,and the level of t-PA was significantly increased in the ABC and ABCD group（P〈0.05）,while the level of serum hs-CRP in ABCD group decreased significantly compared with that in the ABC group（P〈0.05）.Conclusions：Chinese drugs both for activating blood circulation and for activating blood circulation and detoxifying have good effects on regulating indices of thrombosis,inflammatory reaction and tissue damage in experimental carotid artery thrombosis rats.The effect of activating blood circulation and detoxifying drugs on regulating the level of serum hs-CRP is superior to that of activating blood circulation drug alone.     

Differential analysis of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis profiles of spermatozoa protein in human normal motility sperm and idiopathic asthenospermia

Objective: To evaluate the application of two-dimensional electrophoresis in the research of differentially expressed proteins in the human asthenospermia. Methods: Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was performed on 4 normal sperm samples from healthy men and 4 sperm samples from 4 asthenospermia patients. After silver staining, the differential expression proteins were analyzed by PDQuest 2D analysis software. Results: Six differential protein spots were identified. Four spots showed increased expression in the control gels compared with the patient gels. Conclusion: The protein profiles of differential expression between the normal spermatozoa and idiopathic asthenospermia were established and some differential proteins were found. The data of this study would establish the better fundament for further isolation and identification of differentially expressed proteins in human asthenospermia sperm.     

Effect of Kaiyu Qingwei Granule (开郁清胃颗粒) on Insulin Receptor in Liver and Skeletal Muscular Cell Membrane in Diabetes Mellitus Rats

Objective: To investigate the effect of Kaiyu Qingwei granule (KYQWG, on the insulin binding capacity of liver and skeletal muscular cell membrane and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Rats in four experimental groups were investigated: the control group, the model group, the KYQWG group and the Metformin group. The insulin binding rate (IBR) of liver and skeletal muscular cell membrane was detected by receptor-ligand ra-diometric method and changes of serum levels of glucose, insulin and IGF-1 were observed before and after 4 weeks of medication. Results: The KYQWG group had a lower blood glucose level and ffiR of liver and muscular cell membrane, as compared with those in the model group (P<0. 01 or P<0.05), and a higher level of IGF-1 than that in the model group(P<0.01), but had no obvious changes in the serum level of insulin. Conclusion: KYQWG may increase the serum level of IGF-1 in diabetic rats, thus to decrease the insulin resistance a     

Effects of different therapeutic methods and typical recipes of Chinese medicine on activation of c-Jun N-terminal Kinase in Kupffer cells of rats with fatty liver disease

<正>Objective:To observe the effects of different therapeutic methods and the recipes of Chinese medicine(CM) on the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK) in Kupffer cells of rats with fatty liver disease and to explore the mechanisms of these therapeutic methods.Methods:By using a random number table,98 rats were randomly divided into 7 groups:control group,model group,and 5 treatment groups,including soothing Liver(Gan) recipe group,invigorating Spleen(Pi) recipe group,dispelling dampness recipe group,promoting blood recipe group,and complex recipe group.Rats in the control group were fed with normal food and distilled water by gastric perfusion,while rats in the model group were fed with high-fat food and distilled spirits by gastric perfusion.Rats in the 5 treatment groups were fed with high-fat food and corresponding recipes by gastric perfusion.Twelve weeks later,all rats were sacrificed and liver tissues were stained for pathohistological observation.Kupffer cells were isolated from livers of rats to evaluate JNK and phospho-JNK expressions by Western blotting.Results:The grade of hepatic steatosis was higher in the model group than the control group(P0.05).Compared with the model group,the grade of fatty degeneration in soothing Liver recipe group and invigorating Spleen recipe group were significantly ameliorated(P0.05).Expressions of JNK and phospho-JNK in Kupffer cells were significantly higher in the model group than those in the control group(P0.05,P0.01).Compared with the model group,expressions of JNK in all treatment groups decreased,especially in invigorating Spleen recipe group and promoting blood recipe group(P0.05).Compared with the model group,expressions of phospho-JNK in all treatment groups declined significantly(P0.01),especially in soothing Live recipe group and invigorating Spleen recipe group. Conclusions:The high expressions of JNK and phospho-JNK in Kupffer cells might play an important role in the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease in rats.The recipes of CM,especially invigorating Spleen recipe and soothing Liver recipe,might protect liver against injury by reducing the total JNK protein content and inhibiting the activation of JNK protein in Kupffer cells of fatty liver model rats,which showed beneficial effects on fatty liver disease.     

Effect of Soothing Gan (Liver) and Invigorating Pi (Spleen) Recipes on TLR4-p38 MAPK Pathway in Kupffer Cells of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis Rats

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of inflammatory-mediated toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK) pathway in Kupffer cells(KCs) of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH) rats and the intervention effect of soothing Gan(Liver) and invigorating Pi(Spleen) recipes on this pathway. Methods: After 1 week of acclimatization, 120 Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into 8 groups using a random number table(n=15 per group): normal group, model group, low-dose Chaihu Shugan Powder(柴胡疏肝散, CHSG) group(3.2 g/kg), high-dose CHSG group(9.6 g/kg), low-dose Shenling Baizhu Powder(参苓白术散, SLBZ) group(10 g/kg), high-dose SLBZ(30 g/kg) group, and low-and highdose integrated recipe(L-IR, H-IR) groups. All rats in the model and treatment groups were fed with a high-fat diet(HFD). The treatments were administrated by gastrogavage once daily and lasted for 26 weeks. The liver tissues were detected with hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and oil red O staining. Levels of liver lipids, serum lipids and transaminases were measured. KCs were isolated from the livers of rats to evaluate the mRNA expressions of TLR4 and p38 MAPK by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and proteins expressions of TLR4, p-p38 MAPK and p38 MAPK by Western blot. Levels of inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-1 and IL-6 in KCs were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: After 26 weeks of HFD feeding, HE and oil red O staining showed that the NASH model rats successfully reproduced typical pathogenesis and histopathological features. Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited significant increases in body weight, liver weight, liver index, serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and aspartate aminotransferase as well as TC and TG levels in liver tissues, and significant decrease in serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(P0.05 or P0.01), while those indices were significantly ameliorated in the H-IR group(P0.05 or P0.01). Higher levels of TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 in KCs were observed in the model group compared with the normal group(P0.01). Significant decreases in TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 were observed in the H-SLBZ, H-IR and L-IR groups compared with the model group(P0.05 or P0.01). The m RNA expressions of TLR4 and p38 MAPK and protein expressions of TLR4, p38 MAPK and p-p38 MAPK in KCs in the model group were significantly higher than the normal group(P0.01), while those expression levels in the L-IR and H-IR groups were significantly lower than the model group(P0.05 or P0.01). Conclusions: Inflammation in KCs might play an important role in the pathogenesis of NASH in rats. The data demonstrated the importance of TLR4-p38 MAPK signaling pathway in KCs for the anti-inflammatory effect of soothing Gan and invigorating Pi recipes.     

Applied research on serum protein fingerprints for prediction of Qi deficiency syndrome and phlegm and blood stasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE:This study screened serum tumor biomarkers by surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(SELDI-TOF-MS) to establish a subset which could be used for the prediction of Qi deficiency syndrome and phlegm and blood stasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer;and as diagnostic model of Chinese medicine.METHODS:Serum samples from 63 lung cancer patients with Qi deficiency syndrome and phlegm and blood stasis,and 28 lung cancer patients with non-Qi deficiency syndrome and phlegm and blood stasis were analyzed using SELDI-TOF-MS with a PBS II-C protein chip reader.Protein profiles were generated using immobilized metal affinity capture(IMAC3) protein chips.Differentially-expressed proteins were screened.Protein peak clustering and classification analyses were performed using Biomarker Wizard and Biomarker Pattern software packages,respectively.RESULTS:A total of 268 effective protein peaks were detected in the 1,000-10,000 Da molecular range for the 15 serum proteins screened(P<0.05).The decision tree model was M 2284.97,with a sensitivity of 96.2% and a specificity of 66.7%.CONCLUSION:SELDI-TOF-MS techniques,combined with a decision tree model,can help identify serum proteomic biomarkers related to Qi deficiency syndrome and phlegm and blood stasis in lung cancer patients;and the predictive model can be used to discriminate between Chinese medicine diagnostic models of disease.     

Low-dose ATRA Supplementation Abolishes PRM Formation in Rat Liver and Ameliorates Ethanol-induced Liver Injury

The effects of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) in low doses supplementation on concentrations of polar retinoid metabolites (PRM) and retinoids in the ethanol-fed rat liver, and on hepato-cyte injury were investigated. The rat model of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) was induced by intra-gastric infusion of ethanol, and then the rats were administrated with ATRA in two different doses (150μg/kg body weight and 1.5 mg/kg body weight) for 4 weeks. Concentrations of retinoids in rat liver and plasma were determined by using HPLC. Liver tissues pathologic changes were observed under the light microscopy and electron microscopy. The serum transaminases concentrations were measured. The results showed that the HPLC analysis of retinoids revealed that retinoids (vitamin A, RA, retinyl palmitate) concentrations in ethanol-fed rat liver and RA concentration in ethanol-fed rat plasma were markedly diminished (P<0.01) after ethanol feeding for 12 weeks. Furthermore, obvious peaks of PRM were formed in livers of ethanol-fed rats. ATRA 150μg/kg supplementation in ethanol-fed rats for 4 weeks raised RA concentration in both liver and plasma, and also raised vitamin A concentration in liver to control levels, partially restored retinyl palmitate concentration (P<0.05) in liver. ATRA 1.5 mg/kg supplementation raised not only RA concentrations in liver and plasma but also retinyl palmitate concentrations in liver. However, the vitamin A concentration in liver of ATRA-supplemented rats (1.5 mg/kg) was higher than that of controls (P<0.05). The histologic observation of liver tissues indicated that ATRA treatment notably alleviated hepatocellular swelling, steatosis, the swelling of mitochondria and proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). ATRA treatment greatly decreased levels of serum transaminases as compared with the only ethanol-fed group (P<0.05). It was concluded that low-dose ATRA treatment could restore retinoids concentrations and abolish the PRM formation in liver of ALD rats, and then ameliorate the injury of liver cells.