Molecular Mechanism of Nelumbinis Plumula Alkaloids in Prevention and Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer： an Analysis Based on Network Pharmacology and Cell Experiment / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the potential molecular mechanism of Nelumbinis Plumula alkaloids （NAPs） in the prevention and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） based on network pharmacology and cell experiment. Method:The main active components of NAPs were obtained by searching Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP） and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine （BATMAN-TCM）， and their main targets were predicted and analyzed by employing Swiss Target Prediction. The main target genes of NSCLC were retrieved from GeneCards， Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM） and DrugBank databases. The resulting common targets were imported into STRING platform for constructing the protein-protein interaction （PPI） network， followed by gene ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） enrichment analysis based on Database for Annotation， Visualization， and Integrated Discovery （DAVID）. The NAPs-common target -pathway network was constructed by Cytoscape 3.7.1. After NSCLC cell line A549 was treated with isoliensinine， the cell morphology was observed under an inverted fluorescence microscope. The effect of isoliensinine on A549 vitality was detected by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay and the target protein changes were verified by Western blot. Result:The main active components for NAPs against NSCLC were lysicamine， liensinine， and isoliensinine. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-protein kinase B （PI3K-AKT）， RAS-related protein 1 （Rap1）， epidermal growth factor family of receptor tyrosine kinases （ErbBs）， and hypoxia inducible factor-1 （HIF-1） pathways were mainly involved for binding adenosine triphosphate （ATP） and regulating protein kinase activity. The main targets included protein kinase B-1 （AKT1）， alpha catalytic subunit of phosphoinositol-3-kinase （PIK3CA）， cyclin-dependent kinase 2 （CDK2）， mitogen-activated protein kinase-1 （MAPK1）， epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR）， adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette B1 （ABCB1）， mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， tyrosine kinase （Src）， Janus kinase 1 （JAK1）， and G1-phase-specific gene cyclin-D₁ （CCND1）. The <italic>in vitro</italic> cell experiment also revealed that isoliensinine down-regulated the expression of phosphorylated AKT （p-AKT） and phosphorylated mTOR （p-mTOR） in a concentration- and time-dependent manner and inhibited the growth of A549 cells. Conclusion:NAPs exert the preventive and therapeutic effects against NSCLC through multiple components， multiple targets， and multiple pathways， especially the PI3K-AKT pathway.

Effect of Fushengong Prescreption on Regulation-antagonism Effect of ACE-AngⅡ-AT1R Axis and ACE2-Ang(1-7)-MASR Axis of Rats with Chronic Renal Failure / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the effect of Fushengong prescreption on the regulation-antagonism effect of angiotensin converting enzyme-angiotensin Ⅱ-angiotensin Ⅱ 1 receptor （ACE-AngⅡ-AT1R） axis and angiotensin converting enzyme 2-angiotensin （1-7）-Mas receptor［ACE2-Ang（1-7）-MASR］ axis of rats with chronic renal failure（CRF）， and to explore its mechanism of delaying the development of CRF. Method:The 65 male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group （<italic>n</italic>=10） and modeling group （<italic>n</italic>=55）. The normal group was routinely reared， while the modeling group were administered by gavage with 0.25 g·kg^-1d^-1adenine suspension for 28 days. After the model was successfully established， the survival model rats were randomly divided into model group， benazepril group（0.01 g·kg^-1·d^-1）and low，medium and high dose of Fushengong prescreption groups （4，8，16 g·kg^-1·d^-1）. The normal group and model group were administered the same volume of normal saline by gavage， lasted for 28 days. After the experiment， systolic blood pressure （SBP） and diastolic blood pressure （DBP） of caudal artery were measured， and 24-hour urine was collected to determine 24-hour urine protein （24 h U-pro）. The content of serum creatinine（SCr） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） in the serum were measured， the histological morphology was observed by hematoxylin eosin（HE）staining， and the degree of renal interstitial fibrosis was observed by Masson staining. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the contents of AngⅡ， Ang （1-7） and Cystatin C （CysC） in serum and renal homogenate. The protein level of ACE， ACE2， AT1R and MASR were detected by Western blot. The expression of ACE and ACE2 protein in renal tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Result:Compared with normal group， the expression levels of SCr， BUN and CysC in model group were significantly increased（<italic>P</italic><0.05）， the content of AngⅡ in serum and kidney tissues were significantly increased， the content of Ang （1-7） were significantly decreased（<italic>P</italic><0.05）， the expression of ACE and AT1R protein in renal tissues were significantly increased（<italic>P</italic><0.05）， and the expression of ACE2 and MASR protein were significantly decreased（<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Compared with model group and benazepril group， after the intervention with Fushengong prescreption， the serum SCr，BUN and CysC decreased（<italic>P</italic><0.05），the content of AngⅡ in serum and kidney tissues decreased significantly，Ang（1-7） increased significantly（<italic>P</italic><0.05）， the expression of ACE and AT1R protein in renal tissues decreased significantly（<italic>P</italic><0.05）， ACE2 and MASR protein increased significantly（<italic>P</italic><0.05）. The high-dose Fushengong prescreption has the best effect. The high， medium and low-dose effects of Fushengong prescreption were dose-dependent. Conclusion:Fushengong prescreption improved renal function and pathological change of kidney in adenine-induced rats with chronic renal failure. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of ACE-AngⅡ-AT1R axis and promotion of ACE2-Ang（1-7）-MASR axis ，which leads to the delaying of the progression of chronic renal failure.

Effect of Fushengong Prescription on p38 MAPK Signal Pathway of Rats with Chronic Renal Failure / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effects of Fushengong prescription on p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase（p38 MAPK） signal pathway of rats with chronic renal failure（CRF），and to explore its mechanism of reducing inflammatory reaction of renal tissues and delaying the progress of renal interstitial fibrosis. Method:The 55 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group，model group， and low，medium and high dose groups of Fushengong prescription，with 11 rats in each group.The normal group was routinely reared， and the other four groups of rats were fed a diet containing 0.5% adenine to produce a model of CRF， which was continuously molded for 21 days.After successful modeling，all rats switched to conventional feed.Normal group and model group were given normal saline 20 mL·kg-1，and each group of Fushengong prescription was given 4，8，16 g·kg-1 of water prescription once a day for 30 days.After the experiment，Masson staining was used to observe the degree of renal interstitial fibrosis.The expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1（MCP-1） in renal tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase（p-p38 MAPK） and transformed growth factor-β1（TGF-β1） in renal tissues were detected by Western blot. Result:Compared with normal group，the renal interstitial collagen deposition increased significantly，the average optical density value of MCP-1 and the expression levels of p-p38 MAPK and TGF-β1 also increased significantly in model group （P<0.05）. Compared with model group，the renal interstitial collagen deposition reduced significantly，the average optical density value of MCP-1 and the protein expression levels of p-p38 MAPK and TGF-β1 also decreased significantly in each dose group of Fushengong prescription（P<0.05）. Conclusion:Fushengong prescription can effectively inhibit the expression of related inflammatory factors in the renal tissue of CRF rats，so as to reduce the inflammatory response in the renal tissue and delay the progress of renal interstitial fibrosis，the mechanism of which may be related to inhibit the activation of p38 MAPK signal transduction pathway.

Effect of Fushengong Prescription on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway in Kidney of Rats with Chronic Renal Failure / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effects of Fushengong prescription on secretory glycoprotein （Wnt）/β-serial protein （β-catenin） signaling pathway in kidney of rats with chronic renal failure （CRF），and to further explore its mechanism of releasing the aggregation of extracellular matrix（ECM），inhibiting renal tubule interstitial fibrosis （TIF） and prolonging the progression of CRF. Method:A total of 55 SD male rats were randomly divided into the normal group，the model group，and the low， medium and high dose groups of Fushengong prescription，with 11 rats in each group.The normal group was routinely reared and the other 4 groups of rats were used to establish CRF model with 0.5% adenine fodder， fed them continuously for 21 d. After successful modeling，all model rats were switched to conventional feed. Normal saline （NS） was given the normal group and the model group by 20 mL·kg-1·d-1， the low， middle and high dose groups rats of Fushengong prescription were given intragastric administration Fushengong prescription according to the body weight of 4， 8， 16 g·kg-1，once a day，continuous gavage for 30 d. After the experiment，the pathomorphism change of renal tissues of rats was measured by Masson staining， the expression of Wnt4 and β-catenin mRNA in the kidney tissues were observed by the method of Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）， the expression of Wnt4，β-catenin and matrix metalloproteinase-7（MMP-7） protein of renal tissues were detected by the methods of Western blot. The expression of Wnt4， β-catenin protein of renal tissues were detected by the methods of immunohistochemistry （IHC）. Result:Compared with normal group，renal tubule interstitial fibrosis of renal tissues increased distinctly and the expression of Wnt4，β-catenin and MMP-7 protein increased significantly in the model group. Wnt4 and β-catenin mRNA also increased significantly in model group（P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the expression of Wnt4， β-catenin and MMP-7 protein in the Fushengong prescription groups decreased obviously （P<0.05）. The expression of Wnt4 and β-catenin mRNA in Fushengong prescription groups also decreased obviously. Conclusion:The mechanism of Fushengong prescription can release the aggregation of ECM，inhibit TIF and delay the progression of CRF，which may be related with the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway.

Discrimination of excess or deficient conditions of meridians and its clinical application in Huangdi Neijing / 中国针灸

Discrimination methods of excess or deficient conditions of meridians in Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine) is studied and summarized in this paper. It indicates that the techniques of distinguishing described in the classic are extremely explicit. From comprehensive study of pulse on cunkou and Renying, syndromes classified according to meridians, inspection and palpation on meridians, excess or deficient conditions of meridians and collaterals can be accurately diagnosed. And it also has been approved by clinical practice that the application of discrimination techniques in Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine) in acupuncture practice is conductive to enhance the therapeutic effect of acupuncture therapy.

Effects of HBV X gene and arsenic trioxide on the expression of p53 in cultured HepG2 cells / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBx) and p53 could mutually down-regulate at transcriptional level and HBx could bind with p53 protein within its transactivation domain and inhibit the function of p53 protein. In recent years, effects of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on the expression of p53 protein have been widely studied, while little is known about the activity of p53 protein. This study was undertaken to delineate the effect of HBV X gene and As2O3 on p53 protein expression (level and activity) in HepG2 cells by small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) technique.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cell line HepG2 and cells with stable expression of HBV X gene (HepG2-X) were treated with 2 micromol/L As2O3, with corresponding untreated cells serving as controls. Cell lysates and nuclear extracts were extracted. Total level and the relative activity of p53 protein were detected by modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HBV X gene sequence-specific shRNA expression vector (pXi-1 and pXi-2) and sequence-unrelated control (pXi-3) were transfected into HepG2-X. Single cell clone with stable expression of shRNA was selected and exposed to propagating culture. The effect of As2O3 on p53 protein expression and activity was re-observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Total p53 protein level was up-regulated and its relative activity ratio was enhanced by As2O3 in HepG2 and HepG2-X cells. The total p53 protein level induced by As2O3 was up-regulated by HBV X gene expression, while its relative activity was significantly suppressed. The suppression was removed after HBV X gene expression was repressed by shRNA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>As2O3 up-regulates p53 protein expression and enhance its activity. HBV X up-regulates As2O3 induced-p53 protein expression while suppresses its activity.</p>

Serum HBsAg concentration and HBV replication level in hepatitis B patients with positive serum HBsAg and HBeAg / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the relationship between serum HBsAg concentration and HBV replication level in hepatitis B patients with positive serum HBsAg and HBeAg, and to explore the possibility of using serum HBsAg concentration as a marker of HBV replication level in hepatitis B patients with positive serum HBeAg.@*METHODS@#HBV DNA level and serum HBeAg, HBsAg concentration of 296 patients with positive serum HBsAg and HBeAg were quantitatively detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR) and time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TRIFA) respectively. HBsAg concentrations were compared among patients with different HBV DNA levels, and HBV DNA levels were compared among patients with different HBsAg concentrations. The correlation between serum HBsAg concentration and DNA replication level were analyzed. The positive, negative predictive values and coincidence rates were speculated by various HBsAg concentrations.@*RESULTS@#If HBV DNA positive was defined as HBV DNA levels no less than 10(5) copy/mL, then 228(77.03%) patients were classified as HBV DNA positive. HBsAg concentration was positively correlated with HBV DNA replication level, but among groups with various DNA replication levels, HBsAg concentration showed no significant statistical difference (P>0.05). If the patients were divided into 2 groups, HBsAg concentration (180 microg/L) was served as the cutoff level, the DNA positive rate of the group with HBsAg concentration no less than 180 microg/L was significantly higher than that with HBsAg concentration less than 180 microg/L (chi(2)=3.998, P<0.05). DNA positive rates and average DNA levels showed no significant statistical differences between the 2 groups, if HBsAg concentrations other than 180 microg/L were used as the cutoff level. Positive predictive values, negative predictive values and the coincidence rates speculated by various HBsAg concentrations as cutoff values did not show any significant statistical difference in estimating HBV replication levels.@*CONCLUSION@#To some extent, serum HBsAg concentration is related to HBV DNA replication level in hepatitis B patients with positive serum HBsAg and HBeAg, but it is not feasible to use HBsAg concentration to monitor their HBV replication levels.

Study of effects of HBV X gene and As2O3 on expression and activity of p53 in HepG2 cells with shRNA / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To delineate the effects of HBV X gene and of As(2)O(3) on p53 expression and activity in HepG2 cells by shRNA-mediated RNA interference (RNAi).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HepG2 cells and cells with stable expression of HBV X gene, HepG2-X, were treated with 2 micromol/L As(2)O(3), and the corresponding untreated cells were used as controls. Cell and nuclear lysates were extracted. Total level and the relative activity absorbance of p53 were detected by modified ELISA. HBV X gene sequence-specific shRNA expression vectors, Xi-S1 and Xi-S2, and sequence-unrelated control Xi-S3 were transfected into HepG2-X. The effect of As(2)O(3) on p53 expression and activity were retested.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Total p53 level was up-regulated and its relative activity ratio was enhanced by As(2)O(3) in HepG2 and HepG2-X cells. The total p53 level induced by As(2)O(3) was further up-regulated by HBX expression, while its relative activity was significantly suppressed. The suppression was removed after HBX expression was suppressed by shRNA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>As(2)O(3) could up-regulate p53 expression and enhance its activity. shRNA-mediated RNA interference is conveniently being used in studies on the effect of HBV X gene expression on p53 expression and activity. HBV X expression could up-regulate p53 gene expression level induced by As(2)O(3), while it suppressed the activity of p53.</p>

Construction of two hepatocellular carcinoma cell models for the expression of HBV X gene with different selection characteristics / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To construct 2 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell models for the expression of HBV X gene with different selection characteristics.@*METHODS@#HepG2 HCC cells were infected with eukaryotic expression vectors with HBV X gene, pCEP4-X, and pcDNA3. 1 (+)-X. Single cell clone was selected by hygromycin and neomycin. After propagating culture for certain periods, the HBV X gene expression was identified by PCR, RT-PCR, and Western blot.@*RESULTS@#Single HCC cell clone with HBV X gene transferred resistant to hygromycin and neomycin was selectively cultured, and the cells could be propagated for certain periods. PCR, RT-PCR, and Western blot identified the expression of HBV X gene.@*CONCLUSION@#Two HCC cell models for the expression of HBV X gene with different selection characteristics have been successfully constructed.

Relationship between the quantities of virus and the models of serologic markers in patients infected with HBV / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between the quantities of HBV and the models of serologic markers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to measure the HBV DNA and ELISA was used to detect the antigen/antibody of HBV.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patients whose HBV copies were more than 10(3)/ml accounted for 87.3%, whose copies were more than 10(7)/ml accounted for 66.7% among the HBsAg and HBeAg -positive patients. The patients whose HBV copies were less than 10(3)/ml accounted for 74.5%, whose HBV copies were more than 10(7)/ml accounted for 8.3% among the HBeAg-negative patients. The HBV copies of HBeAg-positive patients were significantly more than HBeAg-negative patients (P<0.01). The HBV copies of anti-HBe-negative patients were significantly more than anti-HBe-positive patients (P<0.01). The HBV DNA was detected in some HBsAg-negative patients. One patient's HBV copies were as high as 1.59 10(9)/ml.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The HBV copies of HBeAg-positive patients are significantly more than HBeAg-negative patients, The HBV copies of anti-HBe-negative patients are significantly more than the anti-HBe-positive patients. However, some HBeAg-positive patient's HBV copies are very low, and some HBeAg-negative patient's HBV copies are very high. HBV DNA even could be detected in some HBsAg-negative patients. It is difficult to judge accurately the quantities of HBV and infectivity according to the serologic markers for a specific patient.</p>