Xiao Xianxiongtang Regulates Ca2+ Load and Inhibits Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition， Invasion， and Migration of MGC-803 Cells： Based on Wnt5a/ Ca2+/NFAT Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Xiao Xianxiongtang （XXXT） on the transforming growth factor （TGF）-β1-induced invasion， metastasis， and epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） of gastric cancer MGC-803 cells and the underlying mechanism. MethodThe molecular docking between XXXT and nuclear factor of activated T cells （NFAT） was performed by CB-DOCK （http：//clab.labshare.cn/cb-dock/）. The invasion and metastasis model of MGC-803 cells was established with 10 μg·L-1 TGF-β1. MGC-803 cells were classified into blank group， model group， 0.1 g·L-1 XXXT group， 0.2 g·L-1 XXXT group， and 0.4 g·L-1 XXXT group. For further clarifying the key role of Wnt5a/Ca2+/NFAT signaling pathway in the inhibition of XXXT on gastric cancer， MGC-803 cells were transfected with Wnt5a overexpression plasmid， and then the cells were classified into blank plasmid group， Wnt5a-OE group， blank plasmid + XXXT （0.4 g·L-1） group， and Wnt5a-OE + XXXT （0.4 g·L-1） group. Cell viability was determined by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay， cell invasion and migration ability by Transwell invasion assay and wound healing assay， expression of EMT-related proteins （E-cadherin， N-cadherin， Vimentin， Snail） and Wnt5a/Ca2+/NFAT signaling pathway-related key proteins ［Wnt5a， calcineurin （CaN）， NFAT1， and p-NFAT1］ by Western blot， and changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration by immunofluorescence assay. ResultMolecular docking suggested that XXXT acted on Wnt5a/Ca2+/NFAT signaling pathway. XXXT （0.1， 0.2， 0.4 g·L-1） significantly promoted the loss of MGC-803 cell viability （P<0.05，P<0.01）. It inhibited cells from invading the transwell lower chamber and slowed down the healing of cell wounds in a dose-dependent manner （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， it promoted the expression of E-cadherin while suppressed the expression of N-cadherin， Vimentin， and Snail （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Further experiments showed that XXXT could inhibit the expression of Wnt5a， CaN， NFAT1， and p-NFAT1， and reduce the nuclear expression of NFAT1 and the transcription activity mediated by NFAT1， so as to reduce the cellular Ca2+ concentration （P<0.05， P<0.01）. XXXT can reverse the effect of Wnt5a （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionXXXT can attenuate the invasion， metastasis， and EMT of MGC-803 cells via the Wnt5a/Ca2+/NFAT pathway， thereby weakening the tumor-promoting effect of TGF-β1. In summary， XXXT may exert therapeutic effect on gastric cancer by regulating the invasion， metastasis， and EMT of gastric cancer cells.

Modified Xiao Xianxiongtang Inhibits Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Human Gastric Cancer MGC803 Cells via Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the inhibitory effect of modified Xiao Xianxiongtang on epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） of human gastric cancer MGC803 cells and its relationship with secretory glycoprotein Wnt/β-catenin pathway. MethodThe BALB/c nude mice were implanted with human gastric cancer MGC803 cell suspension in the heterotopic subcutaneous position for inducing tumor. After successful modeling， they were randomly divided into the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose （16.0，32.0，and 64.0 g·kg-1） groups of modified Xiao Xianxiongtang， and capecitabine （400 mg·kg-1） group， with eight mice in each group， and gavaged with the corresponding drugs， once per day， for 28 consecutive days. Those in the capecitabine group received one-week discontinuation after every two weeks of treatment. The general state and body weight of the nude mice were observed， and the transplanted tumor volume was measured. After being killed， they were weighed and the tumor inhibition rate was calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was carried out for observing the pathological changes in transplanted tumor tissues. The gene and protein expression levels of Wnt1 and β-catenin were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， followed by the determination of matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9）， vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， N-cadherin， E-cadherin， Vimentin， and Snail protein expression by Western blot. The expression levels of cyclooxygenase 2 （COX2） and prostaglandin E2 （PGE2） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. ResultIt was found that the transplanted tumor in each group showed different growth trends with time， with the most obvious growth observed in the model group. Compared with the model group， the low-， medium-， and high-dose modified Xiao Xianxiongtang groups exhibited reduced tumor volume and slowed growth to varying degrees over time. After medication for days 7，14，21，and 28， the tumor volumes in the low- and high-dose modified Xiao Xianxiongtang groups and capecitabine group declined （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and that in the medium-dose Xiao Xianxiongtang group was also remarkably reduced after medication for days 14，21，and 28 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose modified Xiao Xianxiongtang group and capecitabine group showed a significant reduction in the relative tumor volume after treatment for days 7，14，21，28 （P<0.01）， and the low- and medium-dose modified Xiao Xianxiongtang groups also presented with decreased relative tumor volume after treatment for days 14，21，28 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the modified Xiao Xianxiongtang at low， medium， and high doses and capecitabine all increased the tumor inhibition rate to varying degrees （P<0.01）， down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of Wnt1 and β-catenin in tumor tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01） and protein expression levels of MMP-9， VEGF， N-cadherin， Vimentin， and Snail （P<0.05， P<0.01）， up-regulated E-cadherin protein expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and reduced COX2 and PGE2 contents （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Xiao Xianxiongtang inhibits the EMT of human gastric cancer MGC803 cell-transplanted tumor， which may be related to Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Extract from Modified Xiao Xianxiongtang Inhibits Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition and Invasion and Migration Mediated by TGF-β1 of Human Gastric Cancer MGC-803 Cells via Wnt5a/Ca2+/NFAT Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:This studu aims to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of modified Xiao Xianxiongtang on the epithelial mesenchymal transition（EMT） and the change of its invasion and migration ability of human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells mediated by transforming growth factor-<italic>β</italic>₁（TGF-<italic>β</italic>₁），and to explore the mechanism of regulating Wnt5a/Ca²⁺/ activated T-cell nuclear factor（NFAT） signaling pathway to inhibit EMT and invasion and metastasis of MGC-803 cells. Method:TGF-<italic>β</italic>₁（10 μg·L^-1）was used to induce EMT and the invasion and metastasis model of human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells. Transwell chamber experiment， scratchhealing experiment， Western blot and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect cell invasion and migration ability， expression of EMT marker protein and key protein expression of Wnt5a/Ca²⁺/NFAT signaling pathway， and intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration. Result:Compared with the blank group， TGF-<italic>β</italic>₁ could significantly enhance the invasion and migration ability of MGC-803 cells（<italic>P</italic><0.01）， down-regulate the level of E-cadherin（<italic>P</italic><0.01）， up-regulate protein expressions of N-cadherin， Snail and Vimentin（<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and induce cell Wnt5a， calcineurin （CaN）， total protein of activated T-cell nuclear factor 1（NFAT1）， up-regulation of phosphorylated proteins p-NFAT1 and NFAT1 nucleoprotein and intracellular accumulation of Ca²⁺（<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the TGF-<italic>β</italic>₁ group， modified Xiao Xianxiongtang （10， 20， 40 mg·L^-1） could significantly inhibit this phenomenon，and 40 mg·L^-1 had the best effect（<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）.The specific inhibitors of Wnt5a/Ca²⁺/NFAT signaling pathway （<italic>R</italic>）-（+）-Bay-K-8644 and modified Xiao Xianxiongtang （40 mg·L^-1） could significantly inhibit theinvasion and migration of MGC-803 cells mediated by TGF-<italic>β</italic>₁， up-regulate the level of E-cadherin， and down-regulate expressions of N-cadherin， Snail， Vimentin， Wnt5a， CaN and NFAT1 proteins and reduce the intracellular accumulation of Ca²⁺（<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）.Moreover， （<italic>R</italic>）-（+）-Bay-K-8644 combined with modified Xiao Xianxiongtang （40 mg·L^-1） had stronger inhibitory effect（<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:These results suggest that modified Xiao Xianxiongtang can inhibit the EMT mediated by TGF-<italic>β</italic>₁ via Wnt5a/Ca²⁺/NFAT signaling pathway，thereby reducing the invasion and migration ability of MGC-803 cells.

Linggui Zhugan Decoction () Inhibits Ventricular Remodeling after Acute Myocardial Infarction in Mice by Suppressing TGF-β/Smad Signaling Pathway / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the inhibitory effect of Linggui Zhugan Decoction (LZD, ) on the ventricular remodeling (VR) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and related mRNA and proteins expression in transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway, and explain its putative mechanism.@*METHODS@#A VR model was generated by ligation of coronary artery in mice. Two weeks after surgery, 60 mice were randomly divided into the model group, the sham-operation group (distilled water), the positive control group (2.4 mg/kg simvastatin), and the low-, medium- and high-dose LZD groups (2.1, 4.2, 8.4 g crude drug/kg, respectively) by a random number table, 10 mice in each group. Mice in each group was treated for 4 weeks. Changes of hemodynamics indices and cardiac weight index were detected by the PowerLab data acquisition and analysis recording instrument. Morphology changes of myocardial tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining. The expressions of TGF-β, Smad2, Smad3, p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 in myocardial tissue were detected by Western blotting. The mRNA expressions of TGF-β, Smad2 and Smad3 were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The expressions of matrix metalloprotein 2 (MMP2), MMP9, collagen I and collagen III were observed by immunohistochemical methods.@*RESULTS@#VR mice showed significant dysfunction in hemodynamic indices and cardiac structure and function. Compared with the shamoperation group, myocardial tissue damage, interstitial fibrosis occurred in the model mice, left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular pressure maximum contraction rate (+dp/dt) and left ventricular pressure maximum relaxation rate (-dp/dt) decreased significantly (all P<0.01), while left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), cardiac weight index and left ventricular weight index elevated significantly, meanwhile TGF-β, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, Smad2, Smad3, MMP2, MMP9, collagen I, collagen III protein expressions in myocardial tissue and TGF-β, Smad2 and Smad3 mRNA expressions increased significantly (all P<0.01). Compared with the model group, LZD could significantly improve the pathological changes of myocardial tissue, increase LVSP, +dp/dtmax and -dp/dtmax, lower LVEDP, reduce the whole heart weight index and left ventricular weight index and inhibit the over-expressions of TGF-β, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, Smad2, Smad3, MMP2, MMP9, collagen I and collagen III proteins in myocardial tissue and mRNA expressions of TGF-β, Smad2 and Smad3 (P<0.05 or P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#LZD can significantly suppress VR induced by AMI, and its underlying mechanism may be associated with its inhibitory effect on the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.

Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Its Active Ingredients on Cardiovascular Disease Based on Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in China. Due to its great individual differences in genetic background, pathogenesis and disease development trend, the survival risk rate after standardized western medicine treatment under the guidance of the current guidelines remains high. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has unique multiple-target, multiple-pathway and multiple-layer advantages, which can effectively make up for shortcomings of western medicine. Therefore, it has been widely used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative stress is one of the important causes of cardiovascular diseases. Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2(Nrf2) is the central regulator of this reaction. When being activated, it can transfer to the nucleus and initiate signaling in the downstream pathway, thus playing an anti-oxidative stress role. As one of the most important endogenous protection systems in the body, the Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) signaling pathway is the most classical approach for Nrf2 in playing roles. There have been certain achievements in studying and clarifying TCM by regulating this pathway to treat cardiovascular diseases using modern molecular biology and other methods. Based on this, this paper summarized the relationship between Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and cardiovascular diseases, then concluded and analyzed the mechanism and pharmacological effects of TCM and its active ingredients in Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway on different cardiovascular diseases, involving active ingredients of TCM, TCM pairs active ingredients, TCM extracts and TCM formula. This paper provides a theoretical reference for the development and utilization of anti-cardiovascular drugs.

Research Progress on Antitumor Active Components and Mechanism of Xiao Xianxiongtang / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Tumor is one of the diseases that seriously endanger human health， and how to treat tumor effectively is still one of the important problems in the field of medicine. At present， most of the radiotherapies and chemical drugs for cancer have serious side effect despite of an obvious efficacy. With a unique syndrome differentiation treatment system and overall concept， traditional Chinese medicine has become the key research and development object of antitumor drugs due to many advantages， such as multiple channels， multiple levels， multiple links， multiple targets and less toxicity， and could can fully mobilize the immune and epidemic prevention mechanism of the body. A large number of studies have shown that Xiao Xianxiongtang and its effective ingredients have obvious antitumor effect. Many doctors have applied Xiao Xianxiongtang and modified formulas in clinical treatment of tumors， and relevant pharmacological studies have also confirmed the effectiveness of this formula， but with a lack of systematic summary of its effective ingredients and its mechanism of action. Now， with alkaloids， ketones， sterols and phenols in Xiao Xianxiongtang as the starting point， this study mainly focuses on inhibition of tumor cell proliferation， invasion and migration， induction of tumor cell apoptosis and autophagy， inhibition of tumor cell cycle， enhancement of tumor cell sensitivity， inhibition of tumor angiogenesis and regulation of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment from two ways to sort out composition， function and mechanism of drugs. In this paper， effective components， main targets and mechanism of intervention in the tumor development of Xiao Xianxiongtang were reviewed， in order to provide a new idea for subsequent antitumor research and development of this prescription.

Effect of Paridis Rhizoma total saponins on apoptosis of human gastric cancer cell MKN-45 and Fas/FasL signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The study aimed to test if Paridis Rhizoma total saponins (PRTS) could induce apoptosis of human gastric cancer cell MKN-45.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Based on the previous researches, PRTS was set by different concentrations to treat human gastric cancer cell for 12 h (5, 10, 20 mg x L(-1)). Fluorescent staining methods were adopted to observe apoptotic morphological changes of MKN-45. The apoptosis rates were analyzed by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The enzymatic activities of caspase-3 and caspase-8 were measured by ELISA. The protein levels of Fas and FasL were detected by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Under a fluorescence microscope, MKN-45 treated by PRTS was seen typical apoptotic morphological features. PRTS significantly increased the rate of apoptosis. Compared with the control group, there exsited significant differences in apoptosis rate of PRTS concentration of 20 mg x L(-1) (P < 0.01); besides, the enzymatic activities of caspase-3 and caspase-8 were promoted obviously after the effect of PRTS on MKN-45 cells for 12 h (P < 0.01). The protein levels of Fas and FasL in the MKN-45 were upgraded significantly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PRTS can induce apoptosis of human gastric cancer cell MKN-45 , which is concerned with caspase-3 and caspase-8 and upgraded Fas and FasL.</p>

Wuzi yanzong pills increases sperm mitochondrial membrane potential and protects its ultrastructure in oligo-asthenozoospermia model rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Wuzi Yanzong Pills (WYP) on sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and its ultrastructure in oligo-asthenozoospermia model rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Oligo-asthenozoospermia models were made in 50 male rats weighing 200 - 220 g by intragastric administration of Tripterygium Glucosides at 30 mg per kg per d for 8 weeks, and then equally allocated to a model control, a Huangjing Zanyu Capsule (HZC) control, a low-dose WYP, a medium-dose WYP, and a high-dose WYP group. Another 10 age-matched normal male rats were included as normal controls. The rats in the model and normal control groups were given intragastrically distilled water at 10 ml/kg, those in the HZC group administered HZC at 3.01 g/kg, and those in the low-, medium- and high-dose WYP groups medicated with WYP at 2.30, 4.60 and 9.20 g/kg, respectively, once daily for 30 days. At 30 minutes after the last administration, we detected the sperm MMP by JC-1 fluorescent staining and flow cytometry, and examined the sperm ultrastructure under the JEM-1230 transmission electron microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>JC-1 + % and its fluorescence intensity were (33.77 +/- 6.19)% and 1 468 +/- 496 in the model control, (56.34 +/- 10.35)% and 3 277 +/- 895 in the HZC control, (40.80 +/- 10.40)% and 2 016 +/- 767 in the low-dose WYP, (59.40 +/- 6.51)% and 3 897 +/- 643 in the medium-dose WYP, and (60.71 +/- 7.81)% and 3 371 +/- 647 in the high-dose WYP group, significantly reduced in comparison with (70.80 +/- 4.92)% and 4 360 +/- 945 in the normal control group (P < 0.05), but remarkably higher in the medium- and high-dose WYP groups than in the model controls (P < 0. 05). After modeling, the sperm membrane was loose and degenerated, the mitochondria swelling, variously sized and with incomplete membrane, and the axonemal structure unclear or ruptured. After 30 days of WYP administration, compared with the model control group, the rats exhibited integrated sperm membrane and mitochondrial membrane, reduced mitochondrial swelling and basically normal axonemal and microtubular structures.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Tripterygium Glucosides could decrease the sperm mitochondrial membrane potential and damage the mitochondrial structure, while WYP could significantly increase the sperm mitochondrial membrane potential and reduce the sperm mitochondrial structure damage. The protection of the integrity of sperm mitochondrial structure and function is one of the mechanisms of WYP acting on oligo-asthenozoospermia.</p>

mechanism of lipid raft mediating chemoresistance of cervical cancer

To investigate the mechanism of lipid raft mediating chemotherapy resistance in cervical cancer. This experiment was carried out in the Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China from June 2010 to February 2011. Hela cells were divided into 6 groups: control group [Ctrl], cisplatin group [Cis], lipid raft interference agent group [MCD], NADPH oxidase inhibitor group [Apo], lipid raft interference agent combined with cisplatin group [MCD+Cis], and NADPH oxidase inhibitor combined with cisplatin group [Apo+Cis]. After the cervical cancer cells were treated with a correspondent agent for 24 hours, the number of surviving cells were measured utilizing cell counting kits-8 [CCK-8], and the hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha [HIF-1alpha levels were detected by Western blotting. Reactive oxygen species [ROS] levels were measured indirectly by detection of dichlorodihydrofluorescein fluorescence activity. The cell growth of MCD slowed down [survival cells was 62% compared with the Ctrl group], with the Apo group showing a similar effect [65% in the control group], and 49% for the Cis group, MCD+Cis was 21%, and Apo+Cis was 23%. While the level of HIF-1alpha protein and ROS of the MCD group, Apo group, Cis group, MCD+Cis group and Apo+Cis group were decreased significantly compared to the control group. The level of HIF-1alpha of MCD group decreased by 69.9%, Apo group by 60.2%, Cis group was 55.5%, MCD+Cis group by 21.1% and Apo+Cis group by 25.4%, while the level of ROS also decreased in the MCD group by 38.6%, Apo group by 35.3%, Cis group by 24%, MCD+Cis group by 12.3% and Apo+Cis group by 12.8%. Lipid raft may up-regulate ROS level and HIF-1alpha expression through activating NADPH oxidase, and thus promote chemotherapy resistance in cervical cancer.

Structural identification and quality study on isomers of a novel anticancer photosensitiser photocyanine / 药学学报

Our work focuses on the quality control and structural identification of Photocyanine as a cancer therapeutic photosensitizer. Photocyanine is a mixture which contains four ZnPcS2P2 type substituted Phthalocyanine isomers. In order to obtain the single component from Photocyanine, the mixture of four isomers possessing the similar structures and chemical property had been isolated and purified. An HPLC method with a mixture of methanol-acetonitrile-ion-pair buffer as the mobile phase was applied to isolate the four isomers by means of a semi-preparative C18 column. To remove the salts which were mixed in the preparative product, a SPE C18 column was used to separate the salts by elution with water and then the marker component was eluted by methanol. Subsequently, a column of Sephadex LH-20 gel was applied to elute the crudes with methanol to desalination. The purity of the isolated compound was measured by TLC and four different isomers of phthalocyanine were obtained. The chemical structures of them were elucidated by 1H NMR spectra, gCOSY and NOE1D. An HPLC-DAD method was developed for simultaneously determination of four major isomers in Photocyanine with a C18 column (Grace Smart, 150 mm x 4.6 mm ID, 5 microm). The separation was carried out with a gradient program at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile and ion-pair buffer (0.01 mol x L(-1) hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide and 0.01 mol x L(-1) potassium dihydrogen phosphate, adjusted the pH value to 6.8 with potassium hydroxide solution). The resolution values of four isomers were 2.5, 1.20, 1.33, and 1.8. Linear regression analysis for four compounds was performed by the external standard method. Four constituents were linear in the concentration range of 0.005 to 10 microg. The values of relative standard deviation (RSD) of intra-day were 0.12%, 0.66%, 0.99%, and 1.21%, respectively. The limits of detection for four compounds were 15 ng, 20 ng, 12 ng, and 25 ng, respectively. This method was simple, accurate and reproducible. The developed method can be successfully applied to analyze isomers in Photocyanine.

Investigation on training of clinical teachers in medical education / 上海第二医科大学学报

Objective To explore the contents,routes and ways of the training of clinical teachers in teaching hospitals.Methods According to the requirement of teachers' professional development,the characteristic of clinical teachers in teaching hospitals,setting from the cultivating of fundamental ability and occupation quality,to reinforce the training of clinical teachers,especially young teachers' basic teaching skills,job skills and professional ethics in order to improve the teaching team's overall quality unceasingly. Results According to the results of the classroom teaching mass and practice teaching mass' test from the year 2005 to 2007,the teaching ability and consciousness of clinical teachers were reinforced after the training. Conclusion With the dual role of doctor and teacher,the clinic teachers should be trained to reinforce their basic teaching skills and professional competence,so that they can have the ability to cultivate the high-qualified medical talent.