ABSTRACT
Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is an important pathological process of cardiac remodeling in patients with heart failure; however its etiology has not been clear. It has been known that the angiotensin II type 1 receptor autoantibody (AT1-AA) is present in patients with heart failure, but it is unclear whether this antibody directly causes MF. In this study, we investigated the role of AT1-AA in MF and its effects on cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). The AT1-AA positive rat model was established by active immunization method, and the measurement of indexes were made in the 8th week after active immunity. The results of heart echocardiography showed that the cardiac systolic and diastolic functions of AT1-AA positive rats were impaired with reduced left ventricular wall thickness and enlarged heart chambers. HE staining results showed that the myocardial fibers were disorganized and ruptured, and Masson staining revealed that the area of collagen fibers around the myocardium and coronary arteries was significantly increased in AT1-AA positive group compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, primary CFs isolated from neonatal rats were cultured and treated with AT1-AA for 48 h. CCK-8 and immunofluorescence staining results showed that AT1-AA enhanced proliferation rate of CFs (P < 0.001), and Western blot results showed that AT1-AA significantly increased expressions of collagen I (Col I), Col III, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 in CFs (all P < 0.05). Taken together, these results suggest that AT1-AA may induce MF and cardiac dysfunction via activating CFs.
ABSTRACT
In order to explore the compatible principles of Xiebai decoction family, formulae from ancient and modern Xiebai decoction family were collected and sorted in this study. The compatible characteristics, core herbs, as well as the relativity of herbs nature in Xiebai decoction family were analyzed based on scale free network and other data-mining methods such as association rules, clustering analysis and correspondence analysis. The scale free network results showed that in Xiebai decoction family, Mori Cortex-Lycii Cortex-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma was used as the core compatible group and formed the complicated compatible network with other additional herbs; association rules results showed that the core herbs in such formulae included Mori Cortex, Lycii Cortex, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, scutellaria root, Platycodon root, Anemarrhena, and almond, which formed corresponding herbal pairs and compatibility; clustering analysis showed that Mori Cortex was the core herb in Xiebai decoction family, and Mori Cortex-Lycii Cortex-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma was its main combination unit, which was always compatible with herbs of clearing heat, reducing phlegm, supplementing Qi and nourishing Yin to form the series prescriptions. The results indicated that the core compatibility features of Xiebai decoction family were clearing heat in lung and relieving cough and asthma, providing a basis for the clinical application of Xiebai decoction family.
ABSTRACT
Chinese herbal decoction pieces are the basic approaches for clinical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), reflecting the features and advantages of TCM. In order to investigate the clinical application status and features of Chinese herbal decoction pieces, the questionnaire on application of commonly used Chinese herbal decoction pieces was designed in this study for analysis of the application situations of Chinese herbal decoction pieces from 56 medical institutions in 10 provinces. The results showed 549 varieties of Chinese herbs and 801 varieties of decoction pieces were used on clinic. They can be classified into 19 categories according to their effects. The varieties of Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephale Rhizima), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinenses Radix), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) and Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) were most common ones; the application of Chinese herbal decoction pieces from different medical institutions was differentiated from areas to areas. The survey results reflected the general situation about application of decoction pieces, providing the basic data for recording and completing Chinese herbal decoction pieces in essential drug system, with certain reference significance for the production of Chinese medicinal materials and the allocation of the varieties of Chinese herbal decoction pieces.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the influence of Lewis y antigen on the gene expression of partial drug resistance associated proteins in human ovarian cancer cell line RMG-I-H.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>RT-PCR was used to determine the gene expressions of partial drug resistance associated proteins in RMG-I-H cell line transfected with alpha1, 2-fucosyltransferases gene and RMG-I cell line, as well as in RMG-I-H treated with or without anti-Lewis y monoclonal antibody at the concentration of 10 micro/g/ml. The immunocytochemical method was used to detect the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in RMG-I and RMG-I-H cell lines. RMG-I and RMG-I-H cells were transplanted into nude mice and the expression of P-gp in the tissues was measured by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mRNA expressions of protein kinase C-alpha (PKC-alpha), topoismerase I ( Topo I ), multidrug resistance-associated protein-1 (MRP-1), and MRP-2 were significantly higher in RMG-I-H cells than those in RMG-I cells (0.46 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.27 +/- 0.05, 0.82 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.52 +/- 0.04, 0.66 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.34 +/- 0.12, and 0.44 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.23 +/- 0.05; all P < 0.05). However, the mRNA expression of multi-drug resistance 1 (MDR-1) was significantly lower in RMG-I-H cells than that in RMG-I cells (0.26 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.45 +/- 0.08, P < 0.05). The P-gp level increased in RMG-I-H cells compared with that in RMG-I cells both in vivo and in vitro (P < 0.05). Expressions of MDR-1, MRP-1, MRP-2, PKC-alpha, and Topo I mRNA decreased by the time in RMG-I-H cells treated with anti-Lewis y monoclonal antibody (all P < 0.05), while mRNA expressions of those genes in the control group did not statistically change (P > 0.05). In addition, MDR-1, MRP-1, MRP-2, PKC-alpha, and Topo I mRNA expressions were significantly lower in RMG-I-H cells treated with anti-Lewis y monoclonal antibody than those in the control group at 6 hours (all P < 0.05) and the inhibition ratios were 48.55%, 77.50%, 70.18%, 45.86%, and 46.13%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Lewis y antigen of the human ovarian cancer cell surface is closely correlated with the regulation on the gene expression of partial drug resistance associated proteins.</p>