ABSTRACT
In this study, we investigated the effect of Cigu Xiaozhi formula on HSC-T6 activity in hypoxic microenvironment based on network pharmacology and computer-aided drug design, and predicted and verified its possible targets and related signaling pathways. The potential active components and targets of Cigu Xiaozhi formula were screened by searching Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Encyclopaedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ETCM) and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM) databases, and the liver fibrosis related targets retrieved from Gene Cards and Pharm GK database were integrated to obtain the potential targets of Cigu Xiaozhi formula in the treatment of liver fibrosis. GO enrichment analysis and KEGG signaling pathway enrichment analysis were performed on Omic Share platform, and Cytoscape software was used to construct the "potential active ingredient-key target-pathway" network. The active components and target proteins were subjected to molecular docking analysis by Auto Dock software. According to the results of molecular dynamics simulation and binding free energy calculation, the top 5 active components with degree were scored. The active components stigmasterol and β-sitosterol were subjected to molecular docking. CoCl2 was used to induce HSC-T6 cells to construct hypoxia model in vitro. The cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay, and the optimal time and concentration of hypoxia model of HSC-T6 cells was determined to be 100 µmol·L-1 CoCl2 for 24 h. Under hypoxia condition, HSC-T6 cells were activated, the wound healing rate was significantly increased, and the fluorescence signal of activation marker protein α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was significantly enhanced. However, 6% drug-containing serum could inhibit the activation of HSC-T6 cells, and the wound healing rate was significantly decreased, and the fluorescence signal of α-SMA was significantly weakened. Further studies showed that the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), α-SMA and key proteins of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway in HSC-T6 cells were up-regulated under hypoxia, while the expressions of HIF-1α, α-SMA, Patched-1 (Ptch-1) and glioma related oncogene homology-1 (Gli-1) were down-regulated in 6% drug-containing serum group, the YC-1 group and the cyclopamine group. These results indicated that HIF-1α and Hh signaling pathways were involved in the activation of HSC-T6 cells, and the traditional Chinese medicine Cigu Xiaozhi formula could inhibit the activation of HSC-T6 cells, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of HIF-1α expression and the blocking of Hh signaling pathway. In conclusion, Cigu Xiaozhi formula can inhibit the activation of HSC-T6 cells by directly acting on HIF-1α and Hh signaling pathway, and exert an anti-hepatic fibrosis effect. The animal experimental protocol has been reviewed and approved by Laboratory Animal Ethics Committee of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, in compliance with the Institutional Animal Care Guidelines.
ABSTRACT
Objective This study assessed the main factors associated with HIV infection among men having sex with men(MSM),in order to provide evidence for future intervention. Methods A case-control study was conducted among HIV cases identified at the MSM survey in Nanjing, Suzhou and Yangzhou cities from May to July in 2008. Each HIV case was matched by 4 HIV negative MSM who participated consecutively right after the HIV case was identified at the same survey, same time and in the same city. A national core MSM survey questionnaire was used with addition of variables of local interest. Fitting conditional logistic regression model was applied for univariate and multivariate analysis. Results During the survey, 62 HIV positive cases were identified and 248 controls were matched. Data from univariate analysis showed that, inconsistent condom use, syphilis infection, self reported sexually transmitted infection (STI) symptoms and/or signs, unprotected anal sex (UAI) were risk factors, with OR values of 5.56(95%CI: 1.82-16.96), 2.19(95%CI: 1.18-4.05), 2.50(95%(CI: 1.13-5.50) and 3.13 (95%CI: 1.64-5.98) respectively. Online cruising and receptive anal sex were protective factors with OR values as 0.47(95%CI: 0.22-0.998) and 0.67(95% CI: 0.23-1.97). Through multivariate analysis, it was found that syphilis, age of having experienced first insertive sexual intercourse and UAI were risk factors to HIV transmission, with OR values of 2.28 (95%CI: 1.05-4.94), 4.16 (95%CI: 1.63-10.66) and 1.11 (95% CI: 1.04-1.18) respectively. Compared with non-anal sex, bisexual (OR=0.41,95%CI: 0.18-0.97) behavior seemed a protected factor. Conclusion Syphilis infection, UAI and self reported STI symptoms and/or signs were risk factors related to HIV transmission while bisexual seemed a protective factor.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effect of moxibustion in re-treatments patients of tuberculosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-three cases were randomly divided into an observation group (n = 31) and a control group (n = 22). They were treated with routine chemotherapeutic program of western medicine with garlic moxibustion on main points Feishu (BL 13), Gaohuang (BL 43), Shenzhu (GV 12), etc. added in the observation group. The therapeutic effects were assessed by clinical symptoms and signs, X-ray, CT examination and laboratory indexes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The focus absorbing rate of 87.1% in the observation group was better than 63.6% in the control group (P < 0.05); the rate of bacteria-turned negativity in sputum was 90.5% in the observation group which was better than 56.3% in the control group (P < 0.05); the observation group in improvement of hypodynamia, night sweat and cough was superior to the control group (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Moxibustion can increase the therapeutic effect for the re-treatment patient of tuberculosis.</p>