A novel prognostic score for acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (HBV-ACLF) show high morbidity and mortality. Independent prognostic predictors of short-term HBV-ACLF mortality include the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score, the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, other MELD-based indices and the dynamic changes in these indices. The aims of this study were to evaluate the existing prognostic scores in a large cohort of HBV-ACLF patients and create a new predictive model. We retrospectively reviewed 392 HBV-ACLF patients from December 2008 to November 2011 and evaluated their 3-month survival. The predictive accuracy of CTP, MELD and MELD-based indices and the dynamic changes in the MELD-related scores (Δ scoring systems) upon admission and after two weeks of treatment were compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve method. Life-threatening factors and a series of bio-clinical parameters were studied by univariate and multivariate analyses. Among the existing scores, MELD had the best predictive ability. However, our new regression model provided an area under the curve of 0.930 ± 0.0161 (95% CI: 0.869 to 0.943), which was significantly larger than that obtained with the MELD score at admission and after two weeks of treatment as well as with the dynamic changes of the MELD score (0.819, 0.921, and 0.826, respectively) (Z=3.542, P=0.0004). In a large cohort of patients retrospectively reviewed for this study, our prognostic model was superior to the MELD score and is, therefore, a promising predictor of short-term survival in patients with HBV-ACLF.

A novel prognostic score for acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (HBV-ACLF) show high morbidity and mortality. Independent prognostic predictors of short-term HBV-ACLF mortality include the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score, the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, other MELD-based indices and the dynamic changes in these indices. The aims of this study were to evaluate the existing prognostic scores in a large cohort of HBV-ACLF patients and create a new predictive model. We retrospectively reviewed 392 HBV-ACLF patients from December 2008 to November 2011 and evaluated their 3-month survival. The predictive accuracy of CTP, MELD and MELD-based indices and the dynamic changes in the MELD-related scores (Δ scoring systems) upon admission and after two weeks of treatment were compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve method. Life-threatening factors and a series of bio-clinical parameters were studied by univariate and multivariate analyses. Among the existing scores, MELD had the best predictive ability. However, our new regression model provided an area under the curve of 0.930±0.0161 (95% CI: 0.869 to 0.943), which was significantly larger than that obtained with the MELD score at admission and after two weeks of treatment as well as with the dynamic changes of the MELD score (0.819, 0.921, and 0.826, respectively) (Z=3.542, P=0.0004). In a large cohort of patients retrospectively reviewed for this study, our prognostic model was superior to the MELD score and is, therefore, a promising predictor of short-term survival in patients with HBV-ACLF.

Effect of hepatitis B virus X protein on suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 expression / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of hepatitis B virus-encoded X protein (HBx) on the expression of host-encoded suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1) and to explore the possibility of an underlying mechanism involving modulation of CpG island methylation in the SOCS-1 gene promoter.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The immortalized human derived non-tumor liver cell line QSG7701 was transfected with a recombinant HBx plasmid (pcDNA-X) or an empty vector control plasmid (pcDNA3.0) and stably transfected clones were selected by G418 resistance screening. Untransfected cells served as negative controls. Expression of SOCS-1 mRNA and protein was detected by real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting. The methylation status of SOCS-1 was detected by methylation-specific PCR (MSP). The significance of intergroup differences was analyzed by one-way ANOVA or pairwise comparison with post-hoc LSD test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SOCS-1 mRNA level was significantly lower in the pcDNA-X/QSG7701 cells compared to that in the pcDNA3.0/QSG7701 and untransfected cells (0.3249+/-0.0536 vs. 1.0543+/-0.1937 and 1.00; F = 19.6, P = 0.042). SOCS-1 protein level was similarly lower in the pcDNA-X/QSG7701 cells (0.1496+/-0.0106 vs. 0.1984+/-0.0438 and 0.2152+/-0.0816; F = 19.4, P = 0.048). The SOCS-1 promoter region showed methylation only in the pcDNA-X/QSG7701 cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HBx-expressing human hepatocytes have down-regulated SOCS-1 expression, both at the mRNA and protein levels, and this effect corresponds to increased methylation in the SOCS-1 promoter region harboring CpG islands.</p>

Effect of microRNA on proliferation caused by mutant HBx in human hepatocytes / 中华肝脏病杂志

To study the effect of micro (mi)RNA on cellular proliferation induced by hepatitis B x protein, HBx, in human liver cells and to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism of this cancer-related effect. The human L02 hepatocyte cell line was stably transfected with HBx (L02/HBx) or an HBx mutant (L02/HBx-d382) that induces higher levels of cellular proliferation. The differential miRNA expression profiles were determined by microarray analysis and confirmed by real-time PCR. Two miRNAs, miR-338-3p and miR-551b, that were found to be significantly down-regulated in the L02/HBx-d382 cells were selected for further study and transfected individually into cells using the lipofectamine procedure. The cell survival rate was analyzed by MTT assay, and cell cycles were assessed by flow cytometry. Expressions of cyclinD1, cyclinG1, and E2F1 were assessed by real-time PCR and Western blotting. Compared with the microarray miRNA profile of L02/pcDNA3.0 cells, six miRNAs were up-regulated and five miRNAs were down-regulated in the L02/HBx-d382 cells, while four miRNAs were up-regulated and 12 were down-regulated in the L02/HBx cells. The microarray results were consistent with real-time PCR results. Transfection of miR-338-3p and miR-551b significantly inhibited the cell survival rates (P less than 0.001) and induced G0/G1 phase cycle arrest. According to MTT results: for L02/HBx-d382 cells, compared with lipofectamine or non-transfected (NC) controls, the t value of miR-338-3p was 10.402, 9.133 and the t value of miR-551b was 8.763, 7.403; for L02/HBx cells, compared with lipofectamine or NC controls, the t value of miR-338-3p was 9.105, 8.074 and the t value of miR-551b was 7.673, 7.52. According to flow cytometry results: for L02/HBx-d382 cells, compared with lipofectamine or NC controls, the t value of miR-338-3p was 12.173, 11.107 and the t value of miR-551b was 15.364, 13.377; for L02/HBx cells, compared with lipofectamine or NC controls, the t value of miR-338-3p was 15.416, 13.378, and the t value of miR-551b was 13.276, 13.109. The protein levels of cyclinD1, cyclinG1, and E2F1 were significantly reduced by both miR-338-3p and miR-551b ( P less than 0.001). For L02/HBx-d382 cells, compared with lipofectamine or NC controls: E2F1 had t = 11.132, 10.031 and 12.017, 10.973, respectively; cyclinD1 had t = 15.654, 15.013 and 15.447, 14.733, respectively; cyclinG1 had t = 8.017, 7.661 and 7.402, 7.417, respectively. For L02/HBx cells, compared with lipofectamine or NC controls: E2F1 had t = 14.244, 13.331 and 15.022, 14.468, respectively; cyclinD1 had t = 8.695, 8.137 and 7.877, 7.503, respectively; cyclinG1 had t = 7.73, 7.471 and 7.596, 7.41, respectively. In contrast, the mRNA levels for E2F1, cyclinD1, and cylcinG1 showed no significant differences between the miRNA transfected cells and controls. Wild-type HBx and the high proliferation-inducing mutant HBx can influence the miRNA expression profile of L02 cells. HBx down-regulates miR-338-3p and miR-551b in L02 cells, and the high proliferation-inducing mutant has a more robust effect. The mechanism of miR-338-3p- or miR-551b-mediated cell growth inhibition appears to be related to the direct modulation of cyclinD1, cyclinG1, and E2F1.

The roles of CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells and Foxp3 mRNA expression in the subjects with and without responses to hepatitis B virus vaccination / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To investigate the internal links between immune responses and Tregs and cytokine by the expression of T regulatory cells (Tregs), Foxp3 mRNA of different response groups and the detection of cytokine secretion after hepatitis B vaccination.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Blood samples were collected in different response groups. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of Foxp3 mRNA of peripheral blood mononuclear cells; The surface markers CD4 and CD25 in peripheral-blood mononuclear cells were determined by flow cytometry; ELISA tests were used to detect the production level of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, IL -4, IL-12, IL-18 stimulated by HBsAg and (IFN) gamma.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Foxp3 expressions in response group and non-response group were higher before or after PHA and HBsAg were stimulated. Differences were statistically significant (P value less than 0.05) ; (2) In peripheral blood, the percentage of CD4+CD25+ Treg of CD4+ T cells in response group (0.59%+/-0.46%) was obviously lower than those in control group (1.30%+/-1.44%) ; (3) Peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by PHA and HbsAg in each group, the concentration of IFNgamma in non-response group [(11.00+/-9.03) IU/ml] was markedly lower than those in response group [(38.88+/-28.16) IU/ml],and differences were statistically significant (P value less than 0.01); (4) In PHA- or HBsAg-stimulated peripheral-blood mononuclear cells, the concentrations of IL-18, IL-4 and IL-12 had no significant difference.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>To some extent, CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells may be involved in negative regulation of the immune responses to HBV vaccination. Immune non-response to HBV vaccination may be connected to insufficient secretion of IFNgamma; There was no correlation between the titer of anti-HBs and the expressions of IFNgamma and CD4+CD25+ Foxp3.</p>

Study on tumor formation of hepatocyte transformed by hepatitis B virus X gene in nude mice / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To investigate whether hepatitis B virus X gene alone is sufficient to transform the non-transformed immortalized human liver cell line QSG7701 and induce hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>pCMVX/QSG7701 cells were transplanted into subcutaneous tissue of nude mice. pRcCMV2/QSG7701 and QSG7701 cells were used as control. Tumor formation was checked within 5 weeks after transplantation. The activity and food intake of the nude mice were recorded. The texture, volume and metastasis of transplantation tumor were observed grossly, and the HE stained transplantation tumor tissues were observed under optical microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The transplantation tumor occurred in all of the six nude mice inoculated with pCMVX/QSG7701 cells at the second week after inoculation. No metastatic tumor was found in other organs. Transplant tumor was not formed in all of the negative control groups. The activity, eating and drinking of the nude mice transplanted with pCMVX/QSG7701 cells were normal, while their weights were increased gradually in the first 3 weeks. Since the 4th week after transplantation with pCMVX/QSG7701 cells, the activity of the mice was decreased and their body weight was no longer increased. It is interesting that the mental state and eating of those nude mice inoculated with pRcCMV2/QSG7701and QSG7701 cells were normal, and the weight was increasing all the time after inoculation. HE staining analysis confirmed that the transplanted tumor was hepatocellular carcinoma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HBx alone is sufficient to transform the non-transformed immortalized human liver cell line QSG7701 and induce hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo.</p>

Polymorphism of hepatitis B virus x gene in hepatocellular carcinoma patients and the biological effects of HBx gene with deletion varations on QSG7701 cells / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether there were particular HBx gene mutations associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The HBx genes were examined in 51 paraffin-embedded tumor tissue samples from patients with HCC and 25 serum samples from HBV carriers from southern China by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis, heteroduplex analysis and DNA sequencing. The HBx genes with deletion variations (HBx-d382, HBx-d431) from tumor tissues were cloned and transfected into QSG7701 cells. Then, the biological characteristics of the transfected cells were analyzed in nude mice by MTT assay, soft agar colony formation assay, flow cytometry and xenografting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Deletion mutation and point mutation were found in the HBx genes of HCC tumor tissues, and there were some differences between the HBx gene mutations in genotype B and those in genotype C. More mutations were found in genotype C than those in genotype B (t=-2.522, P < 0.05), but the deletion variations (HBx-d382, HBx-d431) were detected in genotype B HBV from HCC liver tissues. The HBx genes with deletion variations (HBx-d382, HBx-d431) were recombinant with pcDNA3 and transfected into QSG7701 cell lines successfully, which established four permanent transfected QSG7701 cell lines, including pcDNA3/HBx-d382/QSG7701, pcDNA3/HBx-d431/QSG7701, pcDNA3/HBx/QSG7701, and pcDNA3/QSG7701. pcDNA3/HBx-d382/QSG7701 and pcDNA3/HBx-d431/QSG7701 grew faster and had more potential colony formative activity than those of pcDNA3/QSG7701. Moreover, pcDNA3/HBx-d382/QSG7701 and pcDNA3/HBx-431/QSG7701 cells inoculated in nude mice produced tumors more rapidly than those of pcDNA3/HBx/QSG7701, and pcDNA3/QSG7701. The volumes of the tumors in nude mice were also obviously larger in pcDNA3/HBx-d382 and pcDNA3/HBx-d431 groups than those in pcDNA3/HBx/QSG7701 and pcDNA3/QSG7701 groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our results suggest that HBx gene mutations occur frequently in HCC tissues, and the deletion at nt382-400 of the HBx gene might play a role in carcinogenesis of HCC in southern China.</p>

The degree of HBV suppression with 24 week telbivudine- or lamivudine-treatment in hepatitis B patients predicts the efficacy of the treatment at week 52 / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To investigate the possibilities of an association between the degrees of HBV suppression with nucleoside treatments at week 24 and week 52 in hepatitis B patients and to find a useful predictor for treatment efficacy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this phase III, double-blind, multicenter trial, we compared the efficacy of telbivudine treatment with lamivudine treatment in 332 Chinese compensated chronic hepatitis B patients. The patients were randomly assigned to a daily 600 mg telbivudine treatment group or daily 100 mg lamivudine group for 24 weeks. They were then categorized into 4 groups according to their serum HBV DNA levels (copies/ml) at week 24: a PCR-undetectable group (< 300 copies/ml); a QL- < 10(3) copies/ml group; a 10(3)-<10(4) copies/ml group; and a > or = 10(4) copies/ml group. The treatments were continued as they previously had been for another 28 weeks and the patients serum HBV DNA levels were examined again.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At week 52, mean reductions of serum HBV DNA were significantly greater in the telbivudine-treated patients than in the lamivudine-treated group (6.2 log10 vs 5.4 log10, t = 3.6, P < 0.01). Viral resistance was twice as common in lamivudine-treated patients compared to those receiving telbivudine. Telbivudine was well-tolerated with an adverse event profile similar to that of lamivudine. The lower the HBV DNA level achieved at week 24, the higher HBV DNA non-detectable by PCR. ALT normalization and HBeAg seroconversion achieved at week 52, and viral resistance at week 48 decreased parallel to the degree of HBV DNA inhibition.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HBV DNA PCR-undetectable at week 24 in nucleoside-treated hepatitis B patients suggests a better efficacy at week 52 and lower viral resistance at week 48. The degree of suppression of HBV at week 24 may be used as a predictor of 1-year outcome.</p>

Heat-shock protein 27 linked to multi-drug resistance in human hepatic cancer cell lines / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>A proteomics approach was applied for finding multi-drug resistance (MDR) related proteins in hepatic cancer cell lines.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) was used to separate the total proteins of vincristine-resistant hepatic cancer cell line HepG2/VCR and its counterpart HepG2. The differential expression proteins between the two cell lines were identified by both MALDI-TOF-MS and ESI-Q-TOF-MS. Heat-shock protein 27 (HSP27), one of the differential expression proteins in the development of MDR of HepG2/VCR, was analyzed by HSP27 antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As a high expression protein in HepG2/VCR, HSP27 was identified, and the suppression of HSP27 expression by HSP27 ASO enhanced the vincristine chemosensitivity of HepG2/VCR (P less than 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HSP27 is linked to MDR in human hepatic cancer cell line HepG2/VCR.</p>

Clinical observation on auxiliary treatment with suanzaoren decoction for chronic severe hepatitis / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the curative effect and safety of auxiliary treatment with Suanzaoren Decoction (SZRD) on patients with chronic severe hepatitis (CSH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients, with the diagnosis in accordance with the diagnostic criterion of CSH, were assigned to the treated group and the control group, 30 in each group. Patients in the control group were treated with comprehensive therapy including symptomatic supportive treatment, anti-infective therapy and artificial liver plasmapheresis etc., while those in the treated group were orally taken SZRD additionally. Patients' condition of sleeping and changes of total bilirubin (TBIL), prothrombin activity (PTA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) were observed before and after treatment, and the adverse reactions were observed as well.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The sleeping status were significantly improved in the treated group after treatment, and the serum levels of TBIL, TNF-alpha and IL-1 were significantly decreased. The improvement rate was 66.7% (20/30) and significantly higher than that (40.0%, 12/30) in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SZRD can significantly improve the sleeping status of CSH patients, alleviate the hepato-cellular injury by inflammatory cytokines and without obvious adverse reaction.</p>

Effect of Suanzaoren decoction on acute hepatic failure in mice / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Suanzao nacute hepatic failure in mice.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Acute liver failure was induced in male Kunming strain mice by enterocoelia injecting the animals with D-Gal-N and LPS. The mice in treatment groups were given corresponding drug 2 h before administration of D-Ga1-N and LPS, and the mice in control group were given the same dose of distilled water. The 24 h survival rate, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were compared. Serum the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1 and the levels of SOD, MDA, GR, GSH, NO and NOS in the liver were determined.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Treatment with suanzaoren decoction could increase the survival rate and improve the liver histological feather. Suanzaoren decoction inhibited the serum the levels of ALT, AST, TNF-alpha and IL-1, and reduced the levels of MDA, NO and NOS and increased the levels of GR and SOD in the liver.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Treatment with Suanzaoren decoction can suppress the D-Gal-N/LPS-induced acute hepatic failure. It may be the mechanism that Suanzaoren decocotion regulate the production of inflammatory cytokines and free radicals.</p>

Effect of asymmetric dimethylarginine on the activation of hepatic stellate cells and its mechanism / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, on the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and its mechanism.@*METHODS@#Primary HSCs isolated from SD rats were cultured and treated with different concentrations (1, 3 or 10micromol/L) of ADMA for various periods (12 approximately 48h). Expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and synthesis of type-I collagens in HSC were determined. Messenger RNA levels of the transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta(1)) in the HSCs were determined using RT-PCR. Intracellular reactive oxidant species (ROS) production was measured using oxidant-sensitive fluorescent indicator. Activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) was detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).@*RESULTS@#ADMA could increase alpha-SMA-positive cells ratio and Type I collagens production of HSCs in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, concomitant with the increase of the TGF-beta(1) mRNA level. Treatment with ADMA (10micromol/L) significantly increased the intracellular ROS production and activated NF-kappaB. Such effects of ADMA on the level of TGF-beta(1) mRNA could be markedly attenuated by pretreatment with antioxidant pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (25micromol/L).@*CONCLUSION@#ADMA can induce the HSC activation by increasing TGF-beta(1) expression through ROS-NF-kappaB-dependent pathway. Therefore, ADMA should be a novel and endogenous activator of HSC, which may be involved in the development of liver fibrosis.

Study on quasispecies of hepatitis B virus and the clinical manifestation of their infection by melt curve analysis / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To study the relationship between quasispecies of hepatitis B virus and the clinical manifestations of their infection, and to find the answer of why different quasispecies of HBV with the same genotype can induce different clinical situations.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty serum samples, in all of which HBVs of genotype B exist, taken from 32 chronic asymptomatic carriers and 28 severe chronic hepatitis patients, were collected to detect quasispecies of HBV DNA by melt curve approach. Then the relationship between quasispecies of HBV of the same genotype and the clinical situation of their infection was studied by comparing the wave crests of the two sample groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The data of the 60 serum samples of HBV of genotype B detected by melt curve showed that HBV DNA in severe chronic hepatitis patients had more wave crests than that in chronic asymptomatic carriers (P < 0.05), suggesting that HBV in severe chronic hepatitis patients had more quasispecies than in the chronic asymptomatic carriers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The numbers of quasispecies of HBV correlate with the clinical situations of their infection. In the patients infected by HBV of the same genotype, those who have more HBV quasispecies would have more severe clinical manifestations.</p>

Estrogen receptor gene polymorphisms and HBV-induced liver cirrhosis / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the relationship between estrogen receptor (ER) gene polymorphisms and HBV-induced cirrhosis.@*METHODS@#Xba I and Pvu II polymorphisms of ER gene were analyzed in 98 patients with HBV-induced cirrhosis, 72 patients with chronic hepatitis B, and 84 healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique.@*RESULTS@#The frequencies of Pp genotype and P allele of ER gene in patients with HBV-induced cirrhosis were higher than those in patients with chronic hepatitis B and controls, while the frequencies of pp genotype and p allele of ER gene in patients with HBV-induced cirrhosis were lower than those in patients with chronic hepatitis B and controls (P 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Pp genotype and P allele might be the susceptibility gene for HBV-induced cirrhosis while pp genotype and p allele might be the protective gene.

Protective effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on acute hepatic failure induced by D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide in mice / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the protective effect of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) on acute hepatic failure induced by galactosamine (D-GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice, and to explore its mechanism.@*METHODS@#The mice were intraperitoneally administered D-GalN (800 mg/kg) and LPS (10 microg/kg), and then were intraperitoneally injected either saline (the control group )or rhG-CSF at 300 microg/kg body weight (the therapy group) at 4 h, 2 h and 0 h before the D-GalN/LPS injection. The survival rate of the mice was estimated at 24 h after the D-GalN/LPS injection. The degree of hepatic injury was evaluated at 6 h after the D-GalN/LPS injection, and the levels of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-6 and IL-10 mRNA were simultaneously measured by semiquantitative RT-PCR.@*RESULTS@#The survival rate of the therapy group was significantly higher than that of the control group (68.4% vs 20%, P<0.01). As compared with the control group, the degree of liver injury in the therapy group significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma mRNA in the hepatic tissue also reduced remarkably (P<0.01, respectively), while the levels of IL-6 and IL-10 mRNA increased (P<0.01, respectively) at 6 h after the D-GalN/LPS injection.@*CONCLUSION@#G-CSF can protect the mice from acute hepatic failure induced by D-GalN/LPS.

Qualitative detection of hepatitis C virus core antigen in the serum in patients with chronic hepatitis C / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the clinical significance of serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).@*METHODS@#The serum HCV core antigen, which was taken from 149 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 20 patients of chronic hepatitis B and 20 health volunteers, was detected by ELISA. Meanwhile, the serum HCV RNA was detected by RT-PCR, and anti-HCV was detected by ELISA.@*RESULTS@#The qualitative HCV core antigen in the serum, which was take from 20 patients of chronic hepatitis B and 20 health volunteers, was negative.The positive percentage of HCV core antigen was 49.66% in the 149 sera of patients with chronic hepatitis C. The coincidence of detective results of HCV RNA and HCV core antigen was 54.36%, without significant difference (P>0.05). The positive percentage of HCV RNA and HCV core antigen in the 149 anti-HCV antibody positive sera samples were 55.03% (82/149) and 49.66% (74/149), respectively, and there was no significant difference (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The qualitative HCV core antigen detected by ELISA has a high specificity. The positive percentage of HCV core antigen in the serum of patients with chronic hepatitis C is 49.66%. HCV core antigen is related to HCV RNA. HCV core antigen may be a useful serum marker which could show HCV viraemia like HCV RNA.

Cloning , Expression of Human sTNFR1 Gene and the Biological Activity of Its Recombinant Protein / 中国生物工程杂志

Human sTNFR1 (soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1) gene was amplified by RT-PCR from Hela cells. A recombinant expression vector of sTNFR1-MBP was constructed in pMAL-c2x, and transformed into E. Coli JM109.It was sequenced and confirmed to be identifical to the sTNFR1 gene in data bank. Recombinant protein sTNFR1-MBP was induced by IPTG and purified by Amylose resin Affinity Chromatography. sTNFR1-MBP was binded to sTNFR1's antibody in Western-blotting. From MTT assays, the results showed that sTNFR1-MBP could effectively block the cytotoxicity mediated by TNF?on QSG7701 cells. Annexin V-FITC staining and flowcytometry were used to observe the recombinant protein's anti-apoptosis capacity and the recombinant protein has marked anti-apoptosis effect in vitro.sTNFR1-MBP had good biological activity and it will be employed in further study.

Effect of diazepam and modafinil on acute hepatic failure in mice / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of diazepam and modafinil on acute hepatic failure in mice.@*METHODS@#Acute liver failure was induced in male Kunming strain mice by enterocoelia injecting the mice with D-GalN and LPS . The mice in the treatment groups were given corresponding drug 2 h before the administration of D-GalN and LPS, and the mice in the control group were given the same dose of distilled water. The 24-hour survival rate, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were compared. Serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1 and the levels of SOD, MDA, GR, GSH, NO and NOS in the liver were determined.@*RESULTS@#Treatment with diazepam increased the survival rate and improved liver histological feature. Diazepam inhibited the serum levels of ALT, AST, TNF-alpha and IL-1, and reduced levels of MDA, NO and NOS and increased levels of GR and SOD in the liver. Modafinil decreased liver histological feature, increased the serum levels of ALT, AST, TNF-alpha and IL-1, increased level of MDA, and inhabited levels of SOD and GR in the liver.@*CONCLUSION@#Treatment with diazepam may suppress the D-GalN/LPS-induced acute hepatic failure and modafinil may facilitate the acute hepatic failure.

Establishment and the significance of a cell model of secreted alkaline phosphatase co-controlled by HCV 5'NCR and NS3 serine protease / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a cell model of secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) co-controlled by HCV 5'NCR and NS3 serine protease in an effort to develop new antiviral agents.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The fragments of HCV 5'NCR and NS3/4A-SEAP were amplified by PCR. They were fused into pBluescript SK+ to generate 5'NCR-NS3/4A-SEAP chimeric plasmid. The resulting chimeric gene was subcloned into HindIII/Bsu36 I site of pSEAP2-Control (a SEAP eukaryotic expression plasmid), to generate pNCR-NS3/4A-SEAP, in which the SEAP was fused in-frame to the downstream of NS4A/4B cleavage site. The SEAP activity in the culture media of transiently transfected cells was monitored quantitatively. The regulatory effect of HCV 5'NCR and NS3 serine protease on SEAP expression was measured by treatment of transfected cells with antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) against HCV 5'NCR and TPCK, a irreversible serine protease inhibitor.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The SEAP activity in the culture media reached 80801+/-4794 RLU, and was significantly inhibited by 5 micromol/L, 10 micromol/L of ASODN (t=4.315, p<0.01; t=6.985, p<0.001) and 100 micromol/L of TPCK (t=6.949, P<0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A cell model of SEAP co-controlled by HCV 5'NCR and NS3 serine protease has been successfully established. This might promote the screening of anti-viral drugs</p>

Study on the influencing factors of thrombocytopenia in viral hepatitis / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the pathogenesis of thrombocytopenia in viral hepatitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>84 viral hepatitis patients and 20 healthy controls were divided into three groups: Group A: 48 viral hepatitis patients with thrombocytopenia; Group B: 36 viral hepatitis patients with normal platelet count; and Group C: 20 healthy controls. Serum thrombopoietin (TPO) levels were measured in all subjects by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of PAIg, PAIgG, PAIgA, PAIgM were detected in all subjects by flow cytometry. Spleen size was assessed in all subjects by abdominal color ultrasound B Scan. Bone marrow cells were examined in 74 subjects with bone marrow punctures.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum thrombopoietin level was lower in group A than in group C and in group B. Serum TPO levels were correlated with platelet counts in the patients with advanced liver diseases. PAIg, PAIgG levels were significantly higher in group A than in group B and in group C. An inverse correlation was found between platelet counts and PAIg levels. An inverse correlation was also observed between platelet counts and PAIgG levels. The incidence of splenomegaly was significantly higher in group A (77.1%) than in group B (47.2%), while group C had no splenomegaly. An inverse correlation between spleen size and platelet count was observed (r = -0.581). There were 4 patients in group A with hypoplasia of bone marrow karyocytes, but there were no such cases in groups B and C.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TPO level decreasing in patients with severe liver function impairments correlates with thrombocytopenia in advanced liver diseases. Autoimmune mechanism mediated by PAIg may play an important role in thrombocytopenia associated with viral hepatitis. Splenomegaly is the influencing factor leading to thrombocytopenia in viral hepatitis. Patients with chronic liver diseases had bone marrow depression, which may be a factor inducing thrombocytopenia in patients with viral hepatitis.</p>