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Objective To evaluate the correlation between transient elastrography (TE) and liver function Child-Pugh grade in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods The clinical data of 120 patients with liver cirrhosis were retrospectively analyzed. Among the patients, hepatitis-B virus-related cirrhosis was in 103 cases, and 57 patients had ascites. The liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was measured by FibroScan. The liver function Child-Pugh grade was evaluated by liver function Child-Pugh system score. The LSM was compared in patients with different liver function Child-Pugh grade. Results Among the 120 patients with liver cirrhosis, Child-Pugh A grade was in 39 cases, Child-Pugh B grade in 28 cases, and Child-Pugh C grade in 53 cases. The LSM in Child-Pugh B grade patients and C grade patients were significantly higher than that in Child-Pugh A grade patients: (20.2 ± 1.1) and (30.8 ± 1.2) kPa vs. (15.7 ± 1.4) kPa, the LSM in Child-Pugh C grade patients was significantly higher than that in Child-Pugh B grade patients, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). Among the 103 patients with hepatitis-B virus-related cirrhosis, Child-Pugh A grade was in 33 cases, Child-Pugh B grade in 24 cases, and Child-Pugh C grade in 46 cases. The LSM in Child-Pugh B grade patients and C grade patients were significantly higher than that in Child-Pugh A grade patients: (18.7 ± 0.9) and (26.9 ± 0.6) kPa vs. (12.6 ± 1.7) kPa, the LSM in Child-Pugh C grade patients was significantly higher than that in Child-Pugh B grade patients, and there were statistical difference (P<0.05). Among the 57 patients associated ascites, Child-Pugh B grade was in 11 cases, and Child-Pugh C grade in 46 cases. The LSM in Child-Pugh C grade patients was significantly higher than that in Child-Pugh B grade patients:(42.3 ± 1.4) kPa vs. (35.1 ± 1.0) kPa, and there was statistical difference (P<0.05). Among the 103 patients with hepatitis-B virus-related cirrhosis, associated ascites was in 49 cases, Child-Pugh B grade was in 10 cases, and Child-Pugh C grade in 39 cases. The LSM in Child-Pugh C grade patients was significantly higher than that in Child-Pugh B grade patients: (40.6 ± 0.9) kPa vs. (33.2 ± 1.5) kPa, and there was statistical difference (P<0.05). Conclusions The LSM values of patients with liver cirrhosis are higher with the elevation of liver function Child-Pugh grade. There is a correlation between LSM values and Child-Pugh scores. The LSM can partly evaluate the severity of liver disease in patients with liver fibrosis.
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Objective To investigate the effect of MicroRNA-9 (miR-9) on cell proliferation and collagen synthesis in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs),and to explore the potential mechanism.Methods HSC-T6 cells were cultured and transfected with miR-9 mimics with lipofectamine 2000.After incubation 48 h,the cells were collected and total proteins and RNAs were extracted.The expression of miR-9 was detected by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).The protein expression of type Ⅰ collagen and type Ⅲ collagen were measured by Western blot.The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method was used to asses the proliferation of HSC-T6 cells.The expression of transforming growth factor-β1 receptor 2 (TGFBR2) was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Results Compared to the control group,miR-9 expression in HSCs was increased in the miR-9 mimics group (P ＜ 0.05),type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen protein expression was reduced by (44 ± 2) ％ and (50 ± 3) ％ (P ＜ 0.01),respectively.The proliferation activity of HSCs was decreased by (48 ± 4)％ (P ＜ 0.05).The expression of TGFBR2 was inhibited in the miR-9 mimics group.Conclusions Upregulation of miR-9 plays a role on suppressing cell proliferation and collagen synthesis in HSCs.This process might be mediated by downregulation of TGFBR2.
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Objective To estimate the clinical effect of fuzhenghuayu capsule in treatment of early hepatocirrhosis by liver instantaneous elastic imaging. Methods Eighty patients with early hepatocirrhosis were divided into experiment group and control group according to the treatment method with 40 cases each. All the patients in 2 groups were given the same antiviral treatment with entecavir dispersible tablets, and the patients in experiment group combined with fuzhenghuayu capsule. All treatment lasted for 6 months. The liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was measured before treatment and 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment by liver instantaneous elasticity imaging. The serum hyaluronic acid was measured, and the Child-Pugh score was evaluated at the same time. Results The LSM, hyaluronic acid and Child-Pugh scores 6 months after treatment in experiment group were significantly lower than those in control group:(19.3 ± 0.9) kPa vs. (29.6 ± 1.3) kPa, (215.6 ± 59.3)μg/L vs. (344.4 ± 39.6)μg/L and (2.1 ± 1.3) scores vs. (3.9 ± 0.9) scores, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). No obvious adverse reactions related to the use of fuzhenghuayu capsule were found during the course of treatment. Conclusions Liver instantaneous elasticity imaging can be used to evaluate and monitor early hepatocirrhosis. Fuzhenghuayu capsule on patients with early hepatocirrhosis has a certain degree of curative effect.
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Objective To investigate the effect of miRNA-200b-specific inhibitor on hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) activation,proliferation,and extracellular matrix production.Methods The miRNA-200b-specific inhibitors were designed,synthesized,and transfected into HSCs with lipofectamine 2000.The supernatant and HSCs were collected after incubation for 48 h.The expression of miR-200b was detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).The expression ofα-smooth muscle actin (oα-SMA) protein in HSCs was detected by Western blotting.The cell proliferation was assayed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method.Contents of type Ⅲ procollagen and hyaluronic acid in supernatant were determined by radioimmunoassay.Results Compared to the control group,miRNA-200b expression was decreased in the miRNA-200b inhibitor group by 82％ (P ＜ 0.01),α-SMA protein expression was reduced in the miRNA-200b inhibitor group by (19 ± 3) ％ (P ＜ 0.05),and the activity of HSCs proliferation was reduced by(33 ± 5)％ (P ＜0.01),and the contents of type Ⅲ procollagen and hyaluronic acid in supernatant were reduced in miRNA-200b inhibitor group by (35 ± 4)％ and (31 ± 2)％,respectively(P ＜0.01).Conclusions The miRNA-200b-specific inhibitor could significantly reduce the expression of miRNA-200b,and inhibit HSC proliferation,activation,and extracellular matrix production.
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Exchange proteins activated directly by cyclic adenosinemonophosphate (Epac) is one of cyclic adenosinemonophosphate (cAMP)-regulated guanine nucleotide exchange factors.When Epac closely binds with cAMP,it can activate many downstream signal molecules,such as Rap and Ras,etc.By activating several effectors,Epac regulates a multitude of important physiological and pathological processes.Ras and Rap play important effects on the differentiation and proliferation of photoreceptors.Ras may participate in the pathogenesis and development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and prolifereative vitreo-retinopathy (PVR) through Ras/Raf-1/MEK/ERK cascade.Therefore,further studies about the role of Epac and its downstream signals in the retina may provide numerous directions both in research and treatment of retinal diseases.The researching progress in Epac and the functions of the downstream signaling molecules of Epac in the retina were reviewed.