Abnormal expression of miR-let-7b in primary biliary cirrhosis and its clinical significance / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the expression of microRNA (miR)-let-7b in peripheral blood cells of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and investigate its relationship to clinical disease parameters.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Peripheral blood and serum samples were obtained for study from 60 PBC patients and 60 healthy controls. Peripheral blood cells were extracted and subjected to real-time PCR to measure miR-let-7b expression. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-18, total bilirubin (TBIL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were measured by standard biochemical assays. The relationship between miR-let-7b expression and disease parameters was assessed by Spearman's rank correlation test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PBC patients showed significantly lower expression of miR-let-7b in peripheral blood cells than healthy controls (P less than 0.001); moreover, the miR-let-7b expression level decreased in parallel to increases in disease severity (stage I > II / III > IV). In PBC patients, the miR-let-7b expression was significantly correlated with Mayo risk scores (r = -0.4930, P less than 0.001), IL-18 (r = -0.4643, P less than 0.001) and ALP (r = -4119, P less than 0.001), but not with TBIL or GGT.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Decreased expression of miR-let-7b may be associated with development and progression of PBC, and this miRNA may represent a novel target of improved diagnostic and preventive strategies for PBC.</p>

Expression of GATA 4 and alpha fetoprotein in fetal mouse liver and hepatocarcinoma cells and their relationship / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To explore the expression of GATA4 and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) in fetal liver and hepatocarcinoma cells and their correlation. Methods: Semi-quantitive RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of GATA4 and AFP in liver tissues from mouse of E 10.5 d to P 0.5 d, normal liver cells, and hepatocarcinoma cells. Eukaryotic expression vector of mouse GATA4 was used to transfect normal liver cell line and the product was identified. Doxorubicine was used to treat hepatocarcinoma cells; then semi-quantitive RT-PCR was used to determine the mRNA of GATA4, FTF and AFP; Western blot was used to examine the expression of GATA4 and AFP; and ELISA was used to determine AFP in supernatants. Results: The expression of GATA4 and AFP decreased with the maturation of fetal liver cells and reached adult level 0.5 d after birth. GATA4, FTF and AFP were not detected in normal liver cells but were overexpressed in hepatocarcinoma cells. The expression of FTF and AFP was increased in normal liver cells after transfection of GATA4, and the level of AFP was also increased in the supernatant. GATA4 was sharply decreased in hepatocarcinoma cells within 6 h after doxorubicine treatment; the expression of FTF and AFP was also decreased in supernatants 12 h after doxorubicine treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion: GATA4 is highly expressed in fetal liver and hepatocarcinoma cells,which may contribute to the elevation of AFP expression.

Diagnostic value of serum Cys-C, hs-CRP, and urine mALB for early renal injury in gonty patients / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of serum Cys-C, hs-CRP, and urine mALB for early renal injury in gonty patients. Methods A total of 100 gonty patients and 50 healthy volunteers were divided into 3 groups, acute phase group (n = 50), intermittent group (n= 50), and healthy control group (n = 50) . The serum Cys C,hs-CRP,and urine creatinine were determined by automatic chemistry analyzer and urine mALB by immunofluorometer equipment, and the results were analyzed in each group. Results The results of mALB/Cr(mg/[g • Cr]), hs-CRP(mg/L), and Cys-C(mg/L)in acute phase group were 11.45±3.55, 5.15±1.98, and 2.62±0.83, in intermittent group were 8.96±1.78, 3.28±1.23, and 0.93±0.26, and in healthy volunteer group were 3.89± 0.76, 1.91±0.57, and 0.78±0.22, respectively. The values of the above three parameters in the acute phase and intermittent groups were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group (P< 0.05) ; and the values in the acute phase group were significantly higher than those in the intermittent group (P<0.05). The abnormal rate of hs-CRP+ Cys-C+ mALB/Cr was 87% in gonty patients. Conclusion Simultaneous determination of mALB/ Cr, hs-CRP, and Cys-C can help to assess the early renal injury in gonty patients.