Brucine Inhibits Bone Metastasis of Breast Cancer Cells by Suppressing Jagged1/Notch1 Signaling Pathways

Objective: To examine the effects of brucine on the invasion, migration and bone resorption of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand(RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis. Methods: The osteoclastogenesis model was builded by co-culturing human breast tumor MDA-MB-231 and mouse RAW264.7 macrophages cells. RANKL(50 ng/m L) and macrophage-colony stimulating factor(50 ng/m L) were added to this system, followed by treatment with brucine(0.02, 0.04 and 0.08 mmol/L), or 10 μmol/L zoledronic acid as positive control. The migration and bone resorption were measured by transwell assay and in vitro bone resorption assay. The protein expressions of Jagged1 and Notch1 were investigated by Western blot. The expressions of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) and Hes1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Compared with the model group, brucine led to a dose-dependent decrease on migration of MDA-MB-231 cells, inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption of RAW264.7 cells(P 0.01). Furthermore, brucine decreased the protein levels of Jagged1 and Notch1 in MDA-MB-231 cells and RAW264.7 cells co-cultured system as well as the expressions of TGF-β1, NF-κB and Hes1(P0.05 or P0.01). Conclusion: Brucine may inhibit osteoclastogenesis by suppressing Jagged1/Notch1 signaling pathways.     

Shugan Liangxue Decoction (舒肝凉血方) Down-Regulates Estrogen Receptor α Expression in Breast Cancer Cells

Objective: To observe the effect of Shugan Liangxue Decoction(舒肝凉血方, SGLXD) on estrogen receptor α(ERα) in human breast cancer cells. Methods: The effect of SGLXD(0.85–5.10 mg/m L) on the proliferation of breast cancer cells were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay. The nuclear ERα protein levels in MCF-7, T47 D and ZR-75-1 cells which treated by SGLXD for 24 h were examined by western blot and immunofluorescence assay. MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were treated by 17β-estradiol(E2) with or without SGLXD, for 24 h, and the E2 targeted genes c-myc and bcl-2 protein product was evaluated by western blot. Results: SGLXD showed dose-dependent inhibition on the proliferation of MCF-7, T47 D and ZR-75-1 cells, but did not inhibit the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, the promotive effect on cell growth induced by E2 was also significantly inhibited by SGLXD treatment. With the treatment of 1.70, 3.40, 5.10 mg/m L SGLXD, the nuclear ERα protein level was reduced to 88.1%, 70.4% and 60.9% in MCF-7 cells, and was decreased to 43.0%, 38.4% and 5.9% in ZR-75-1 cells as compared with the control group. In T47 D cells, the nuclear ERα protein was down-regulated to 51.3% and 4.3% by 3.40 and 5.10 mg/m L SGLXD treatment. The down-regulative effect of SGLXD on nuclear ERα was confirmed by immunofluorescence assay. SGLXD decreased the protein product of c-myc and bcl-2. Conclusions: SGLXD may exhibit selective inhibition effect on the proliferation of ER positive breast cancer cells. SGLXD reduced the nuclear ERα expression and the protein product of E2 target gene c-myc and bcl-2.     

Chemical Composition, Anticancer, Anti-neuroinflammatory, and Antioxidant Activities of the Essential Oil of Patrinia scabiosaefolia

Objective: To study the chemical composition, anticancer, anti-neuroinflammatory, and antioxidant activities of the essential oil of Patrinia scabiosaefolia (EO-PS). Methods: Patrinia scabiosaefolia was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Eight human carcinoma cell lines, including SGC-7901, AGS, HepG2, HT-29, HCT-8, 5-FU/HCT-8, HeLa, and MDA-MB-231, were assessed by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Anti-neuroinflammatory activity was assessed by production of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 induced by lipopolysaccharide in BV-2 cells (microglia from mice). The antioxidant activity was evaluated with a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay. Results: Forty-four components, representing 83.919% of the total oil, were identified in the EO-PS. The major constituents were caryophyllene oxide (12.802%), caryophyllene (6.909%), α-caryophyllene (2.927%), β-damascenone (3.435%), calarene (5.621%), and phenol (3.044%). The MTT assay showed that the EO-PS exhibited significant dose-dependent growth inhibition in the 50–200 μg/mL dilution range. The EO-PS exhibited a dose-dependent scavenging activity against the DPPH radical, with an half of maximal inhibitory concentration 1.455 mg/mL. Conclusion: The EO-PS possesses a wide range of antitumor, anti-neuroinflammatory and antioxidant activities, suggesting that it may be a good candidate for further investigations of new bioactive substances.     

Ethanol Extract of Lycopodium serratum Thunb. Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced C6 Glioma Cells Migration via Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Expression

Objectives: To elucidate how ethanol extract of L. serratum (ELS) could exert anti-migratory effects on glioma with the suppression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) downstream pathway. Methods: Cell viability of ELS on C6 glioma was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Nitric oxide (NO) assay and 2'',7''-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay were applied to measure NO production and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced C6 glioma cells. NF-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), inducible nictric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein were determined by Western blot. Wound healing assay was used to investigate the inhibitory effect of ELS on fetal bovine serum (FBS)-induced migration and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and -2 activity was examined by zymography. Results: ELS suppressed LPS-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 through inhibiting the expression of chemokine CCL2 (or monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, MCP-1). In addition, ELS inhibited the expression of iNOS, COX-2, and the production of NO by LPS in C6 glioma cells. ELS also significantly decreased serum-induced migration of C6 glioma cells in scratch wound healing in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). The activity of MMP-9 and -2 were also significantly attenuated by ELS with LPS treatment (P<0.01). Conclusion: Our results suggest that downregulation of MMP-9 gene expression might be involved in the anti-migration effect of ELS against LPS-induced C6 glioma cells.     

Differential Proteomics Analysis of Endometriosis in Blood Stasis Syndrome

Objective

To investigate the innate characters of 3 endometriosis (EMT) syndromes, blood stasis (BS), qi stagnation and blood stasis (QSBS) as well as Shen (Kidney) deficiency and blood stasis (KDBS) in terms of proteomics, lay a molecular biological basis for the differentiation of various blood stasis syndromes of EMT, establish a EMT microscopic syndrome differentiation and diagnosis system in terms of proteomics, discover the evolution principles and therapeutic targets of these EMT syndromes, and search their signifificant molecular markers and genetic intervention targets.

Methods

Six specimens from the ectopic and entopic endometrium tissues of patients with EMT in each syndrome, BS, QSBS as well as KDBS, in the early proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle, and 6 specimens from normal endometrium tissues in the early proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle were obtained. Three groups were formed in each syndrome by mixing two random specimens in equal amount, and then their respective two-dimensional electrophoresis graphs were obtained after total protein extraction. Finally, the detected differences in protein expression were identifified through matrix-assisted laser desorption Ionization-time of flflight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) and protein database.

Results

The results of differential proteins expressed in each syndrome were shown as follows: BS syndrome had 2 differential proteins in entopic endometrium and 1 differential protein in ectopic endometrium; KDBS syndrome had 3 in entopic endometrium and 3 in ectopic endometrium; and QSBS syndrome had 3 in entopic endometrium and 4 in ectopic endometrium. It was found out that annexin was highly expressed in both entopic and ectopic endometrium of KDBS syndrome; and myosin light chain 3 was highly expressed in both entopic and ectopic endometrium of QSBS syndrome.

Conclusion

There are differential protein expressions among the 3 EMT syndromes, which might be the inner origin of syndrome characters, and these differential proteins might be the candidate biomarkers for the pathogenesis of various EMT syndromes.

     

Unravelling the genome: a review of molecular genetic research in schizophrenia

Background

Schizophrenia is a common and complex mental illness that affects approximately 1% of the population worldwide. Despite intensive research over the years, the aetiology and pathogenesis of schizophrenia is poorly understood. However, it has long been recognised that schizophrenia is highly familial suggesting a possible genetic aetiology.

Aim

To review recent molecular genetic research in schizophrenia.

Methods

Medline and Embase search.

Results

Over the past decade, with the completion of the Human Genome Project, molecular genetic research has now identified a number of genes that are very likely to predispose to schizophrenia.

Conclusion

This article discusses the methodologies that have been used to identify schizophrenia susceptibility genes and provides a review of recently identified genes thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of this illness.

     

Red Yeast Rice Prevents Atherosclerosis through Regulating Inflammatory Signaling Pathways

Objective: To observe the effects of red yeast rice(RYR) on blood lipid levels, aortic atherosclerosis(AS), and plaque stability in apolipoprotein E gene knockout(Apo E-/-) mice. Methods: Twentyfour Apo E-/-mice were fed with a high-fat diet starting from 6 weeks of age. Mice were randomized into three groups(n = 8 in each group): model group(Apo E-/-group), RYR group(Apo E-/-+ RYR group), and simvastatin group(Apo E-/-+ simvastatin group). Eight 6-week-old C57BL/6 mice were assigned as the control group and fed with a basic diet. After 36 weeks, plasma lipids and inflammatory factors were measured. Aortic atherosclerotic lesions by microscope, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope were observed. Plasma levels of interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were measured with enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. The level of high sensitivity C-reaction protein(Hs-CRP) was detected by the scattering immunoturbidimetric assay. Protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) and nuclear factor κB(NF-κB) in aorta were tested by immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared with the model group, treatment with RYR significantly decreased the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), and apolipoprotein B100 in Apo E-/-mice(P0.01). Compared with the model group, treatment with RYR decreased the levels of Hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α(P0.01). RYR also reduced the protein levels of NF-κB and MMP-9 of the aorta. Conclusions: RYR has the anti-atherosclerotic and stabilizing unstable plaque effects. The mechanism might be related to the inflammatory signaling pathways.     

An Ethical Evaluation Index System for Clinical Approval of Medical Technology in China: A Structural Equation Model Study

Objective

To construct a quantitative ethical evaluation index system for the clinical approval of medical technology in China.

Methods

Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and first-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) based on a structure equation model (SEM), higher-order CFA and normalisation were used to establish an ethical evaluation index system for the clinical approval of medical technology. Data were processed in SPSS 13.0 and Lisre l5.3.

Results

There were 52 third class indices, 15 second class indices, and 3 first class indices in this ethical evaluation index system. The weight of each index was calculated by normalisation.

Conclusion

This study developed a three-level ethical evaluation index system, comprising 70 indices, for the clinical approval of medical technology.

     

Three generations of matrilineal excess of birth defects in Irish families with neural tube defects

Background

Neural tube defects (NTDs) and birth defects overall are more likely to occur among maternal compared to paternal relatives in two generations (uncles/aunts and first cousins) of Irish families where an individual has been born with an NTD.

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine if the matrilineal excess persisted into the third generation.

Methods

First cousins were interviewed about their pregnancy outcomes and their offsprings’ health.

Results

Maternal first cousins once removed (FCOR) were more likely to have birth defects than paternal FCOR: 6.7 versus 3.5% (adjusted odds ratio 1.49, 95% CI 0.57, 3.89). No NTDs occurred. Folic acid supplementation significantly reduced the risk of birth defects (P = 0.04).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates an excess of birth defects among maternal relatives in three consecutive generations of NTD families, and supports the hypothesis that an underlying mechanism links distant maternal relatives in at least some NTD families.

     

Construction-related eye injuries in Irish nationals and non-nationals: attitudes and strategies for prevention

Background

Construction-related ocular injuries are an important cause of vision loss but few studies on the incidence, epidemiology and nature of these injuries exist.

Aims

Due to the perceived increase in occupation-related eye injuries in non-nationals we aimed to investigate the nature of such injuries presenting to a single eye unit over a two-month period.

Methods

One hundred and fifty-five patients presenting to the accident and emergency department with construction related ocular injury were examined.

Results

Of 155 patients, 80 were Irish and 75 non-national, of whom 60, 21.3 and 6.7% were Polish, Lithuanian and Romanian, respectively. Common causative factors included hammering, grinding, drilling and splash injury. Average rate of eyewear protection usage was 35%, with attendance at safety courses highest in Irish nationals. A penetrating eye injury rate of 4.9% overall was observed, all in non-nationals.

Conclusion

Construction related ocular injury is a serious cause of visual loss in non-nationals. Greater adherence to safety regulations and training is required.

     

Pure Total Flavonoids from Citrus paradisi Macfad Induce Leukemia Cell Apoptosis In Vitro

Objective

To investigate the potential effect of pure total flavonoids from Citrus paradisi Macfad peel (PTFC) on the proliferation of human myeloid leukemia cells Kasumi-1, HL-60 and K562, and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

PTFC was extracted from Citrus paradisi Macfad peel and was identified by high performance liquid chromatography. The effect of PTFC on the proliferation and apoptosis of leukemia cells were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry, respectively. The effect of PTFC on the expression levels of apoptosis-related regulators was determined by Western blot assay.

Results

Treatment with PTFC inhibited leukemia cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner and triggered Kasumi-1 cell apoptosis. Treatment with PTFC significantly increased the levels of activated poly adenosine diphosphate-ribosepolymerase and caspase-3/-9, but reduced the levels of Mcl-1 expression in Kasumi-1 cells. However, PTFC did not obviously induce HL-60 cell apoptosis.

Conclusion

PTFC inhibited leukemia cell proliferation and induced their apoptosis by modulating apoptosisrelated regulator expression in leukemia cells in vitro.

     

Effects of Banxia Xiexin Decoction (半夏泻心汤) on Cisplatin-Induced Apoptosis of Human A549 Lung Cancer Cells

Objective: To examinie the synergistic effects of Banxia Xiexin Decoction(半夏泻心汤,Known as Banhasasim-tang in Korean) extract(BXDE) on cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in the A549 human lung cancer cell lines. Methods: A549 cells were treated with varying concentrations(50–200 μg/m L) of cisplatin and BXDE alone or in combination for 96 h. We used 1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenylformazan assay and flow cytometry to analyze cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. Results: The exposure of cells to cisplatin and BXDE alone or in combination decreased cell viability dose-and time-dependently(P0.05), which was found to be mediated by the apoptotic pathway as confirmed by the increase in the annexin V+/propidium iodide-stained cell population and a ladder pattern of discontinuous DNA fragments. Furthermore, the apoptosis was inhibited by the pan-caspase inhibitor, benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe) fluoromethylketone(z-VAD-FMK). Conclusions: BXDE significantly potentiated apoptotic effects of cisplatin in A549 cells. Moreover, apoptosis induced by BXDE might be the pivotal mechanism mediating its chemopreventative action against cancer.     

Necrotizing fasciitis: microbiological characteristics and predictors of postoperative outcome

Objective

Necrotizing fasciitis is a life threatening soft-tissue infection with a high morbidity and mortality. Prompt treatment based on extensive surgical debridement and antibiotic therapies are the therapeutic principles.

Methods

The medical records of patients with necrotizing fasciitis (n = 26) from 1996 to 2005 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The localization of necrotizing fasciitis was most commonly the trunk (42.3%). Type I polymicrobial infection was the dominating infection. The involvement of anaerobic bacteria was associated with an increase in the number of surgical revisions (p = 0.005). Length of postoperative intensive care unit stay, duration of postoperative ventilation and mortality were significantly increased in the ASA IV-V group. Computed tomography displayed only a limited significance as diagnostic tool for initial diagnosis.

Conclusions

In severe cases the combination of necrotic skin and soft tissue gas facilitates the correct diagnosis, which should than be followed by immediate - and most often - repeated debridement. If anaerobes are isolated an early and aggressive second look is necessary.

     

Acupuncture Treatment Modulates the Resting-State Functional Connectivity of Brain Regions in Migraine Patients without Aura

Objective: To investigate the modulatory effect of acupuncture treatment on the resting-state functional connectivity of brain regions in migraine without aura(MWo A) patients. Methods: Twelve MWo A patients were treated with standard acupuncture treatment for 4 weeks. All MWo A patients received resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(f MRI) scanning before and after acupuncture treatment. Another 12 normal subjects matched in age and gender were recruited to serve as healthy controls. The changes of restingstate functional connectivity in MWo A patients before and after the acupuncture treatment and those with the healthy controls were compared. Results: Before acupuncture treatment, the MWo A patients had significantly decreased functional connectivity in certain brain regions within the frontal and temporal lobe when compared with the healthy controls. After acupuncture treatment, brain regions showing decreased functional connectivity revealed significant reduction in MWo A patients compared with before acupuncture treatment. Conclusions: Acupuncture treatment could increase the functional connectivity of brain regions in the intrinsic decreased brain networks in MWo A patients. The results provided further insights into the interpretation of neural mechanisms of acupuncture treatment for migraine.     

Aqueous Extracts of Tribulus terrestris Protects Against Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction

Objective:To investigate the role of aqueous extracts of Tribulus terrestris(TT) against oxidized low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) dysfunction in vitro.Methods:HUVECs were pre-incubated for 60 min with TT(30 and 3 μg/mL respectively) or 10~(-5) mol/L valsartan(as positive controls) and then the injured endothelium model was established by applying 100 μg/mL ox-LDL for 24 h.Cell viability of HUVECs was observed by real-time cell electronic sensing assay and apoptosis rate by Annexin V/PI staining.The cell migration assay was performed with a transwell insert system.Cytoskeleton remodeling was observed by immunofluorescence assay.The content of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS) generation was assessed by immunofluorescence and flow cytometer.Key genes associated with the metabolism of ox-LDL were chosen for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to explore the possible mechanism of TT against oxidized LDL-induced endothelial dysfunction.Results:TT suppressed ox-LDL-induced HUVEC proliferation and apoptosis rates significantly(41.1%and 43.5%after treatment for 3 and 38 h,respectively;P0.05).It also prolonged the HUVEC survival time and postponed the cell's decaying stage(from the 69 th h to over 100 h).According to the immunofluorescence and transwell insert system assay,TT improved the endothelial cytoskeletal network,and vinculin expression and increased cell migration.Additionally,TT regulated of the synthesis of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species(P0.05).Both 30 and 3 μg/mL TT demonstrated similar efficacy to valsartan.TT normalized the increased mRNA expression of PI3Kα and Socs3.It also decreased mRNA expression of Akt1,AMPKα1,JAK2,LepR and STAT3 induced by ox-LDL.The most notable changes were JAK2,LepR,PI3 K α,Socs3 and STAT3.Conclusions:TT demonstrated potential lowering lipid benefits,anti-hypertension and endothelial protective effects.It also suggested that the JAK2/STAT3 and/or PI3K/AKT pathway might be a very important pathway which was involved in the pharmacological mechanism of TT as the vascular protective agent.     

Qualitative Analysis of A Sulfur-fumigated Chinese Herbal Medicine by Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography and High-Resolution Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Using Colorized Fuzzy Difference Data Processing

Objective: To investigate the chemical transformation of volatile compounds in sulfur-fumigated Radix Angelicae Sinensis. Methods: A comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography(GC×GC) and high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry(HR-TOF/MS) with colorized fuzzy difference(CFD) method was used to investigate the effect of sulfur-fumigation on the volatile components from Radix Angelicae Sinensis. Results: Twenty-five compounds that were found in sun-dried samples disappeared in sulfur-fumigated samples. Seventeen volatile components including two sulfur-containing compounds were newly generated for the first time in volatile oils of sulfur-fumigated Radix Angelicae Sinensis. Conclusion: The strategy can be successfully applied to rapidly and holistically discriminate sun-dried and sulfur-fumigated Radix Angelicae Sinensis. GC×GC-HR-TOF/MS based CFD is a powerful and feasible approach for the global quality evaluation of Radix Angelicae Sinensis as well as other herbal medicines.     

Analysis of clinical features of ocular presentation in cranial venous sinus thrombosis

Background

To recognize ocular presentations in cranial venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) which were easy to be misdiagnosis.

Design

Retrospective study.

Methods

Review clinical informations including general informations, general performances, and ocular presentations of 118 inpatients with CVST in the general hospital of chinese people's liberation army during 2005-2009.

Main Outcome Measures

The ocular symptoms as the initial onset presentations or simultaneous phenomenon among different onset type patients were analyzed.

Results

Of all the CVST patients, 21.2% (25/118) presented with ocular symptom as the initial presentation, 30.5% (36/118) presented with ocular symptom as well as the other symptoms, and 48.3% (57/118) presented with non-ocular symptoms as the initial onset. The CVST patients were divided into 3 groups according to the onset type. There was no marked statistical significance among groups. The most common major complaints were blurring and degeneration of acute vision, accounting for 85.9% (61/71) of all abnormal ocular chief complaints. The most common objective sign in eyes was papilloedema, accounting for 48.3% (57/118) in this group of CVST patients. About 22.4% (13/58) showed acute vision deterioration at 1-year follow-up, due to optic atrophy.

Conclusions

As ophthalmologists, we should master the onset characteristics and clinical manifestations of CVST. Early diagnosis and treatment is very important for the prevention of vision deterioration, especially for patients with ocular syndrome as the initial onset syndrome. For isolated agnogenic intracranial hypertension, we should consider the possibility of CVST.

     

Effects of Weipixiao(胃痞消) on Wnt Pathway-Associated Proteins in Gastric Mucosal Epithelial Cells from Rats with Gastric Precancerous Lesions

Objective: To study the effects of Weipixiao(胃痞消, WPX) on Wnt pathway-associated proteins in gastric mucosal epithelial cells from rats with gastric precancerous lesions(GPL). Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, model, vitacoenzyme(0.2 g·kg~(-1)·day~(-1)), WPX high-dose(H-WPX, 15 g·kg~(-1)·day~(-1)), WPX medium-dose(M-WPX, 7.5 g·kg~(-1)·day~(-1)) and WPX low-dose(L-WPX, 3.75 g·kg~(-1)·day~(-1)) groups. After successfully establishing the GPL model, the rats were consecutively administered WPX or vitacoenzyme by gastrogavage for 10 weeks. Differential expression of Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-proteincoupled receptor 5(Lgr5), matrix metalloproteinase-7(MMP-7), Wnt1, Wnt3 a, and β-catenin in gastric mucosal epithelial cells in all groups were immunohistochemically detected, and the images were taken and analyzed semiquantitatively by image pro plus 6.0 software. Results: Gastric epithelium in the model group showed significantly higher expression levels of Lgr5, MMP-7, Wnt1, Wnt3 a and β-catenin than those of the control group(P0.01). Interestingly, we also observed Lgr5+ cells, which generally located at the base of the gastric glandular unit, migrated to the luminal side of gastric epithelium with GPL. The expression levels of Lgr5, MMP-7, Wnt1, and β-catenin were all down-regulated in the L-WPX group as compared with those of both model and vitacoenzyme groups(P0.05). A similar, but nonsignificant down-regulation in expression level of Wnt3 a was noted in all WPX groups(P0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggested that the therapeutic mechanisms of WPX in treating GPL might be related with its inhibitory effects on the expressions of Lgr5, MMP-7, Wnt1, β-catenin and the aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway.     

Suppression of Oxidative Stress of Modified Gongjin-Dan (WSY-1075) in Detrusor Underactivity Rat Model Bladder Outlet Induced by Obstruction

Objective

To investigate the anti-oxidative stress and preventive effect of modified Gongjin-dan (WSY-1075) in a detrusor underactivity rat model.

Methods

Rats were randomly allocated to three groups: shamoperated (control), bladder outlet obstruction-induced detrusor underactivity (BOO-DU), and BOO-DU with WSY-1075 (WSY) groups. WSY-1075 was orally administrated to rats 200 mg daily for 2 weeks prior to the operation and 4 weeks after the operation. Bladder outlet obstruction was surgically induced in rats by ligation around the urethra avoiding total obstruction. Cystometrography was conducted on rats in each group for examination of bladders.

Results

Compared with the control group, bladder outlet obstruction led to a significant increase in oxidative stress with consequent changes to molecular composition, and decrease in maximal detrusor pressure (P<0.05). WSY-1075 treatment significantly suppressed oxidative stress and prevented degenerative and dysfunctional changes in bladder, as compared with BOO-DU group (P<0.05).

Conclusion

WSY-1075 had beneficial effect on prevention of BOO-DU.