ABSTRACT
Objective Sjgren's Syndrome (SS) is considered to be a common rheumatoid immune disease only second to rheumatoid arthritis in prevalence. This study aimed to screen SS-related genes with gene expression profiling data, explore the pathogenesis of SS and search for the potential drug targets for the treatment of the disease.Methods Using Affymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Array, we obtained the cell expression profiles of human parotid tissue in SS patients from the GEO database, including 24 SS samples and 25 non-SS samples up to the diagnostic criteria. We screened differentially expressed genes with the GEO2R online tools and enriched the functions and pathways of the genes with the DAVID tools. Then we constructed a network of interaction among differentially expressed gene protein products using the STRING database, imported the data into the Cytoscape software, calculated the topological properties, and screened the core genes.Results Totally, 24 up-regulated and 147 down-regulated differentially expressed genes were screened out from the SS samples, involved in cell adhesion molecules, intestinal immune networkIgA secretion, viral myocarditis, rheumatoid arthritis and the leukocyte transendothelial migration pathway, among which PTPRC, CD86, STAT1, FYN and LCP2 were the key genes.Conclusion SS-related biological pathways and key genes can be screened by bioinformatics, which can provide some experimental reference for further revealing the pathogenesis of SS.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effect of Chinese medical (CM) syndrome differentiation based Chinese herbs and recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor II-antibody fusion protein (etanercept) for treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 35 AS patients were treated with syndrome differentiation based Chinese herbs and etanercept. Reinforcing Shen and strengthening Du channel, activating meridians to stop pain was principle used in syndrome differentiation based treatment. Etanercept was subcutaneously injected, 25 mg each time; twice per week for the first three months and once a week for the latter three months. The clinical efficacy was evaluated after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Meanwhile, ASAS20 and ASAS50 standards arriving rates were also observed. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), visual analog score (VAS) for spine pain, VAS for night pain, patient global assessment (PGA), VAS for physician global assessment, CM syndrome score, finger-ground distance, thoracic activity, tragus-wall distance, lumbar scoliosis, cervical rotation, Schober improved test, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were observed before treatment, 3 and 6 months after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with before treatment, BASDAI, BASFI, VAS for spine pain, night pain, physician global assessment, PGA, CM syndrome score, finger-ground distance, thoracic activity, tragus-wall distance, lumbar scoliosis, Schober improved test, ESR, and CRP all decreased after 3 and 6 months of treatment, with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Cervical rotation also decreased after 6 months of treatment, with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Compared with 3 months of treatment, total effective rate of CM syndrome, ASAS20 and ASAS50 standards arriving rates increased after 6 months of treatment, with statistical difference (P < 0.05). There were statistical differences in all indices mentioned above between after 3 months of treatment and after 6 months of treatment (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Syndrome differentiation based Chinese herbs combined etanercept could alleviate inflammatory reaction favorably, control the progression of active AS, and improve joint functions.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Disease Progression , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Therapeutic Uses , Etanercept , Therapeutic Uses , Pain , Pain Management , Spondylitis, Ankylosing , Drug Therapy , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the metabolic, regulatory and anti-oxidative effects of modified Bushen Huoxue Decoction (BSHXD), a Chinese herbal medicine for kidney (Shen)-reinforcement and blood-activation, on an osteoarthritis (OA) rabbit model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A rabbit model for knee joint OA was established by the classic Hulth's method. The OA model rabbits were randomized into 5 groups: the model control group, the positive control group treated with glucosamine sulfate, and the three BSHXD treated groups treated respectively with low, moderate, and high doses of BSHXD. In addition, a normal control group and a sham-operated group were set up. Experimental animals were sacrificed after a 7-week treatment, and pathological changes in cartilaginous tissue were estimated using the Mankin criteria. Hydroxyproline (Hyp) and malonaldehyde (MDA) contents in blood serum and urine, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and nitric oxide (NO) content in blood serum and knee joint synovial homogenates were detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Mankin scoring showed insignificant statistical differences between the various treatment groups (P >0.05), but all were better than the model control group (P <0.05). Serum and urinary contents of Hyp and MDA as well as serum and synovial levels of NO were significantly lower, but the SOD activity in blood serum and synovial tissue was higher in the BSHXD treated groups than in the model group P <0.01); the effect of BSHXD was dose-dependent to some extent.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The modified BSHXD shows an effect of improving cartilage metabolism in experimental rabbits with OA, and possesses osteo-chondric protective effects in antagonizing peroxidation injury.</p>