Effect of cytokine gene polymorphism on histological activity index, viral load and response to treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 3

AIM: To investigate the association between cytokine gene polymorphism and disease status in chronic hepatitis C genotype 3 by liver biopsy, ALT, HCV RNA levels and response to treatment. METHODS: Patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 3 were analyzed for single nucleotide polymorphisms of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1 beta, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) by polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific oligonucleotide primers. Liver biopsies were assessed by modified histological activity index (HAI) scoring system using a scale of 0-18 for grading the necro-inflammatory activity and 0-6 for staging the fibrosis. HCV RNA levels were determined by bDNA assay. The patients were treated with interferon alpha and ribavirin for 6 mo. Sustained virological response was assessed 6 mo after the completion of the treatment. RESULTS: Out of the 40 patients analyzed, 26 were males. Mean age was 40.5±12.5 years (range 18-65 years). The frequencies of different dimorphic polymorphisms based on single nucleotide substitution were as follows: IL-10-1082 G/A 85%, A/A 12.5%, G/ G 2.5%; IL-10-819 A/C 87.5%, C/C 10%, A/A 2.5%; IL-10-592 C/A 72.5%, C/C 27.5%; IL-1 C 90%, U 10%; IFN-874 T/A 50%, T/T 27.5%, A/A 22.5%; TNF-308 A/G 95%, GIG 5%; TGF-10 T/C 52.5%, C/C 35%, T/T 12.5%. The mean grades of necro-inflammatory activity of different genotypes of IL-10 at promoter site -1082 were A/A = 3.6, A/G = 5.0, and G/G = 10.0 and the difference was significant (P = 0.029). The difference in the stage of disease at a scale of 0-6 was A/A 0.8, A/G 2.3, and G/G 4.0 (P = 0.079). The difference in the HAI seemed to be related to the presence of allele -1082G. For IL-10 -819 genotypes, mean scores of fibrosis were A/A = 6.0, A/C = 2.2, and C/C = 1.0 (P = 0.020) though the inflammatory activity was not much different. No significant differences in HAI were noted among polymorphisms of other cytokines. Moreover, ALT and HCV RNA levels were not significantly different among different cvtokine polymorphisms. There was a significant correlation of HAI and HCV RNA levels with the duration of disease. TGFBBB -10 genotype CC patients had a better end of treatment response than those with other genotypes (P = 0.020). Sustained virological response to the treatment was not influenced by the cytokine polymorphism. No effect of other factors like viral load, degree of fibrosis, gender, steatosis, was observed on sustained virological response in this population infected with genotype 3. CONCLUSION: There is no significant correlation between cytokine polymorphisms and HAI except for the polymorphisms of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, which may influence hepatic inflammatory activity and fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 3. Sustained virological response in this genotype does not seem to be influenced by cytokine gene polymorphisms.     

Molecular docking,pharmacophore based virtual screening and molecular dynamics studies towards the identification of potential leads for the management of H. pylori

The enzyme pantothenate synthetase panC is one of the potential new antimicrobial drug targets, but it is poorly characterized in H. pylori. H. pylori infection can cause gastric cancer and the management of H. pylori infection is crucial in various gastric ulcers and gastric cancer. The current study describes the use of innovative drug discovery and design approaches like comparative metabolic pathway analysis (Metacyc), exploration of database of essential genes (DEG), homology modelling, pharmacophore based virtual screening, ADMET studies and molecular dynamics simulations in identifying potential lead compounds for the H. pylori specific panC. The top ranked virtual hits STOCK1N-60270, STOCK1N-63040, STOCK1N-44424 and STOCK1N-63231 can act as templates for synthesis of new H. pylori inhibitors and they hold a promise in the management of gastric cancers caused by H. pylori.

Computational approaches such as pharmacophore modeling, virtual screening and MD simulations were explored to find the potential hits as H. pylori specific panC inhibitors for the management of gastric ulcers and gastric cancers.     

HPLC同时测定苦豆子中槐定碱、氧化槐果碱和氧化苦参碱的含量

目的：建立同时测定苦豆子中槐定碱、氧化槐果碱及氧化苦参碱含量的HPLC测定法。方法：色谱柱为Phenomenex Gemini C₁₈(46 mm×250 mm,5 μm),以甲醇(A)-02%磷酸水(B)为流动相,检测波长205 nm,流速1 mL·min^-1,柱温30 ℃。结果：在线性范围内3个对照品的标准曲线呈良好的线性关系(r≥0999 7)。平均回收率分别为1000%,970%,970%。结论：可通过HPLC同时测定苦豆子中槐定碱、氧化槐果碱和氧化苦参碱的含量,并可用该方法进行苦豆子药材的质量控制。     

Antidiarrhoeal and spasmolytic activities of the methanolic crude extract of Alstonia scholaris L. are mediated through calcium channel blockade

This study was aimed to provide a pharmacological basis to the medicinal use of Alstonia scholaris as an antidiarrhoeal and antispasmodic by using in vivo and in vitro techniques. In the in vivo study the crude extract of Alstonia scholaris (As.Cr), which tested positive for the presence of alkaloids, provided 31–84% protection against castor oil‐induced diarrhoea in mice at 100–1000 mg/kg doses, similar to loperamide. In isolated rabbit jejunum preparation, the As.Cr caused inhibition of spontaneous and high K⁺ (80 mm )‐induced contractions, with respective EC₅₀ values of 1.04 (0.73–1.48) and 1.02 mg/mL (0.56–1.84; 95% CI), thus showing spasmolytic activity mediated possibly through calcium channel blockade (CCB). The CCB activity was further confirmed when pretreatment of the tissue with the As.Cr (0.3–1 mg/mL) caused a rightward shift in the Ca⁺⁺ concentration‐response curves similar to verapamil, a standard calcium channel blocker. Loperamide also inhibited spontaneous and high K⁺ precontractions as well as shifted the Ca⁺⁺ CRCs to the right. These results indicate that the crude extract of Alstonia scholaris possesses antidiarrhoeal and spasmolytic effects, mediated possibly through the presence of CCB‐like constituent(s) and this study provides a mechanistic base for its medicinal use in diarrhoea and colic. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

棉花花总黄酮片中黄酮类化合物的测定

目的建立棉花花总黄酮片中总黄酮、金丝桃苷、异槲皮素的测定方法。方法利用紫外分光光度计,以芦丁为对照品测定总黄酮,HPLC同时测定黄酮类化合物金丝桃苷和异槲皮素。结果 3批棉花花总黄酮片中总黄酮分别为71.6、73.5、75.2 mg/片,金丝桃苷分别为4.28、4.35、4.23 mg/片,异槲皮素分别为18.55、18.73、18.31 mg/片。结论该方法专属性强,灵敏度高、重现性好,可用于棉花花总黄酮片中黄酮类化合物的测定。     

Leiomyosarcoma presenting as a spontaneously ruptured renal tumor-case report

Background  

Ruptured renal neoplasms can be a catastrophic clinical presentation. Angiomyolipoma is the commonest renal tumor which presents in this fashion. Renal sarcomas are rare renal neoplasms. Renal leiomyosarcomas are the most common histological subtype of renal sarcomas, accounting for approximately 50–60% of the reported cases. These tumors are usually peripherally located and appear to arise from either the renal capsule or smooth muscle tissue in the renal pelvic wall.     

Anti‐Arthritic and Antiinflammatory Effects of the Traditional Uighur Formula Kursi Caper In Vivo

Kursi Caper (KC) is a Uighur medicine based on caper which is widely used to treat arthritis and rheumatism, and preliminary studies in our laboratory showed that this traditional formula may possess potent antiinflammatory effects. This study confirms the antiinflammatory effect of KC in the adjuvant induced arthritis (AIA) model, the carrageenan and cotton‐pellet induced granuloma rat models, and further investigates in vivo the mechanism of action by measuring relevant indicators of anti‐arthritic activity. KC showed significant and dose‐dependent anti‐arthritic and antiinflammatory effects, demonstrated by reduced paw edema and arthritic scores in all animal models. Histopathological examination showed that KC reduced levels of synovial inflammatory factors in AIA rats. The overproduction of TNF‐α and IL‐1β was attenuated, and CAT, MDA and SOD levels were restored to normal in KC‐treated rats. KC also significantly reduced LPS‐induced proliferation of B lymphocytes and ConA induced proliferation of T lymphocytes in a dose‐dependent manner. Flow cytometry showed that the high dose KC‐treated group had a significantly decreased frequency of Th17 cells. This study indicates that KC can significantly attenuate arthritis and inflammation in rats by decreasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines, regulating oxidative stress, reducing lymphocyte proliferation and decreasing Th17. This supports the traditional use of KC as a potential modern therapeutic agent for the treatment of arthritis and related conditions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.