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This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of eight oral Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD) by network Meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trial(RCT) on the treatment of AECOPD with eight oral Chinese patent medicines was retrieved from databases including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Web of Science, EMbase, and Cochrane Library from database inception to August 6, 2022. The information was extracted from the included literature and the quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. The data were analyzed using Stata SE 15.1 and ADDIS 1.16.8 software. Finally, 53 RCTs were included, with 5 289 patients involved, including 2 652 patients in the experimental group and 2 637 patients in the control group. Network Meta-analysis showed that Lianhua Qingwen Capsules+conventional western medicine were optimal in improving clinical effective rate, Shufeng Jiedu Capsules+conventional western medicine in improving FEV1/FVC, Qingqi Huatan Pills+conventional western medicine in improving FEV1%pred, Feilike Mixture(Capsules)+conventional western medicine in improving PaO_2, Lianhua Qingwen Capsules+conventional western medicine in reducing PaCO_2, and Qingqi Huatan Pills+conventional western medicine in reducing C-reactive protein(CRP). In terms of safety, most of them were gastrointestinal symptoms, and no serious adverse reactions were reported. When the clinical effective rate was taken as the comprehensive index of efficacy evaluation, Lianhua Qingwen Capsules+conventional western medicine were the most likely to be the best treatment for AECOPD. There are some limitations in the conclusion of this study. It only provides references for clinical medication.
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Humans , Capsules , Network Meta-Analysis , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/drug therapy , Medicine, Chinese TraditionalABSTRACT
Objective:To explore application value of logotherapy-based intervention on palliative care for middle aged patients with advanced lung cancer, in order to provide reference for assistant of their hospice.Methods:Totally, 72 middle aged patients with advanced lung cancer from October 2018 to April 2019 in the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Chest Hospital were divided into experimental group and control group according to the patients enrolled time, with 36 cases in each group. The patients in the control group recieved routine nursing, the experimental group carried out 3 times of logotherapy based on the routine nursing. Before and after intervention, the effects was assessed by Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual (FACIT-Sp-12) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), respectively.Results:There was no significant difference in FACT-G, FACIT-Sp-12, HADS before intervention between the two groups( P>0.05). After intervention, the sociafamily condition, emotional condition demension scores and total scores in FACT-G were (12.75±3.55), (13.41±2.61), (43.31±4.23) points, the belief, meaning, peace demension scores as well as total scores in FACIT-Sp-12 were (11.78±1.58), (11.06±2.27), (10.19±2.33), (33.03±3.46) points in the experimental group, significantly higher than those in the control group (10.88±3.12), (11.45±3.06), (38.82±5.06), (9.73±1.39), (9.67±1.73), (8.70±2.24), (28.09±2.89) points ( t values were 2.260-6.259, P<0.05), the anxiety, depression subscale and total HADS scores were (9.19±2.36), (8.56±1.98), (17.75±3.12) points in the experimental group, significantly lower than those in the control group (10.42±1.84), (9.97±2.19), (20.39±2.50) points, the differences were statistically significant (t values were 2.352-3.776, P<0.05). Conclusions:Logotherapy-based intervention can promote quality of life and spiritual comfort and allivate nagetive emotion of middle aged patients with advanced lung cancer.
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Objective:To explore the application of Bloom target teaching theory combined with PBL teaching mode in standardized residency training of respiratory.Methods:A total of 44 residents of Batch 2019 who had been in respiratory department of our hospital for 2 months on rotation were selected as the control group, and traditional teaching training was adopted in the group. In addition, 41 residents of Batch 2020 who were enrolled in the respiratory department of our hospital for a 2-month residency training rotation were selected as the research group, and Bloom target teaching theory combined with PBL teaching mode was applied in the group. After the residency training, the teaching effect of the two groups of training residents was evaluated by theoretical examination, practical skill operation examination and questionnaire survey. SPSS 22.0 was used to conduct t test. Results:The results of theoretical assessment and practical skills operation assessment of students in the study group were better than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The subjective satisfaction of the training residents and the tutors were scored respectively. The results showed that the scores of residents in the study group were higher than those in the control group, the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The subjective satisfaction score of residents on the assessment results of this stage showed that residents in the study group had higher scores than the control group, with statistical significance ( P<0.05). The tutor's subjective satisfaction score of the assessment results at this stage showed that the scores of the residents in the study group were higher than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The combination of Bloom target teaching theory and PBL teaching mode can improve the theoretical and practical operation ability of students in respiratory department, improve their learning initiative, enthusiasm and teaching satisfaction, and then improve the teaching quality.
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For effective resistance to virus attack and infection, reducing virus transmission chance, it is extremely important for the medical staff and related workers to have their own safe protection. This paper summarizes the development causes, common locations, and prevention ways about the device related pressure injuries on the face resulted from wearing medical-grade protective equipment for a long working time. The paper proposes the nursing strategy for device related pressure injuries and other nursing strategy is proposed to take care efficiently the device related pressure injuries. Meantime, a corresponding nursing strategy is also suggested to deal with the correlative skin diseases during the application of medical-grade protective equipment. These paper aims to provide reference for the prevention of device related pressure injuries and the care of skin-related diseases for clinical working staff, especially to the respectable personnel in front line of fighting against Corona virus disease 2019.
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Objective:To observe the effect of comprehensive treatments on autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Methods:From October, 2017 to October, 2019, 60 children with ASD were divided into control group (n = 30) and treatment group (n = 30) randomly. The control group received rehabilitation training and special education, while the treatment group received acupuncture, massage and Chinese Medicine, in addition, for twelve weeks. The scores of Austin Behavior Checklist (ABC) and Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) were compared before and after treatment. Results:Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the scores of ABC and ATEC between two groups (t < 1.426, P > 0.05). After treatment, the scores of ABC and ATEC significantly decreased in both groups (t > 5.46, P < 0.001), and were better in the treatment group than in the control group (|t| > 3.304, P < 0.01). Conclusion:Traditional Chinese Medicine combined with rehabilitation training and special education is effective on ASD, which is superior to rehabilitation training and special education.
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In recent years, it has been found that kisspeptin plays some key roles in the physiological processes of the brain, such as gender differentiation, positive and negative feedback of sex hormones, onset of puberty, and transduction of energy signals in the body, which suggests that kisspeptin may be a key molecule for the maturation and regulation of female reproductive function. In addition to the systemic roles of the kisspeptin, its local roles in reproductive organs are constantly being discovered. With the discovery that kisspeptin is involved in the pathological process of reproductive endocrine diseases such as isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure (POF) and pathological hyperprolactinemia, exogenous application of kisspeptin to solve reproductive problems has become a new hot topic. The review focuses on the research progress of kisspeptin in the female reproductive system, especially on its application in assisted reproduction.
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In the present study, the anti-platelet aggregation activity of 14 vegetables and fruits was tested in vitro. The aqueous, 90% ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts, as well as concentrated juices of 14 foods [fruits and vegetables] were prepared, and the anti-platelet aggregation activity of those extracts was analyzed on a platelet aggregation analyzer in vitro with adenosine 5'-diphosphate [ADP], bovine thrombin [THR] and arachidonic acid [AA] as aggregation inducers, respectively. Aspirin [ASP] was used as the positive control. A number of the tested foods had inhibitory effects in concentration-dependent manner on platelet aggregations induced by various agonists. Especially, some foods such as lemon, leek, garlic, scallion, ginger, tomato and grapefruit showed good anti-platelet aggregation effect similar or higher than that of positive control group i.e. aspirin [ASP]. The results of present study provide scientific reference for reasonable selection of daily dietary with supplementary curative effects or prevention of cardiovascular diseases [CVD]
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Ganoderma lucidum [Chizhi in Chinese] is one of the most valuable and widely used medicinal fungi in traditional Chinese medicines [TCMs]. Most of previous studies were focused on the triterpenoids and polysaccharides of G. lucidum, whereas less attention had been paid on the protein, which is another bioactive compound in it. In the present study, protein maps of fourteen G. lucidum samples were comprehensively analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [SDS-PAGE] and two-dimensional electrophoresis [2-DE]. The results indicated that there were significant differences in protein profiles of G. lucidum samples from different origins. Furthermore, previous reported bioactive proteins from the fruiting bodies of G. lucidum, were mainly distributed in 4 taxa [A, B, C and D] based on their molecular weights on the 2-DE maps. The proteins should be considered as marker for the quality control of G. lucidum, because the proteomic variation may affect on their pharmacological activities
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It has been an active approach to screen the active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) according to the affinity property between small molecule compounds and biomaterials such as cells, bacteria and proteins. On the other hand, the biomaterials can be immobilized on a solid support before the screening procedure. The immobilization method not only can maintain the biological activities of biomaterials, but also have other advantages such as high efficiency, simple operation, easy to be continuous and automatic, etc. Carrier materials (solid supports) for the immobilization including silica gel, magnetic materials, hollow fiber, and the surface plasma resonance sensor chips have been used to immobilize biomaterials and successfully applied in the screening of active ingredients from TCMs. In this paper, applications of immobilization techniques in the screening of active components from TCMs were reviewed to provide a scientific reference to the future applications.
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Objective To investigate the clinical value of coplanar template-assisted CT guided radioactive seeds implantation in the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma. Methods A total of 22 advanced pancreatic carcinoma patients underwent CT guided radioactive seeds implantation were retrospectively analyzed.Ten patients were treated with coplanar template-assisted with an average age of(65±10)years(48 to 77 years).Tweleve patients were treated without coplanar template assist with an average age of(68±13) years (47 to 84 years). The preoperative planning designs and postoperative dosimetry verifications were performed for all patients.The dose related parameters including D90,MPD,V100,V150and V200were compared between pre and post operation by t test. The operating time were also evaluated between the two groups. Results Overall the 22 patients were treated successfully without serious surgery-related complications. An average of 26 seeds were implanted in the coplanar template assisted implantation group,and 23 seeds were implanted in the non template-assisted implantation group. Preoperative V100in coplanar template group and non template group were(94.45 ± 1.32)% and(93.27 ± 1.37)% separately. Postoperative V100in both groups were(89.31 ± 2.58)% and(85.25 ± 4.35)% separately. Postoperative D90in both groups were (147.32±7.12)Gy and(149.25±4.86)Gy separately.Postoperative V150in both groups were(57.83±7.74)% and(63.97±7.75)% separately.Preoperative D90in both groups were(152.41±6.78)Gy and(153.30±7.79) Gy separately. Preoperative V150in both groups were(58.61 ± 14.11)% and(62.45 ± 6.49)% separately. Postoperative MPD in both groups were(87.64±10.60)Gy and(87.12±7.66)Gy separately.Postoperative V200in both groups were(34.12±7.67)%,(39.42±7.18)% separately.Preoperative MPD in both groups were (82.12±7.81)Gy and(83.43±4.86)Gy separately.Preoperative V200in both groups were(29.04±10.64)%, (36.11 ± 7.22)% separately. Compared with preoperative plans, the mean value of D90and V100decreased while the mean value of MPD and V200increased in postoperative verifications in both coplanar template assist CT guided radioactive seeds implantation group and non template-assisted group.However,there was no significant difference between pre and post operation except for V100(P<0.05). The operating time of coplanar template assist group and non template-assisted group were(44.3±12.4)min and(60.0±12.8)min respectively. The difference of operating time between two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Compared with the treatment without template assist, coplanar template-assisted brachytherapy could be more accurate in preoperative plans optimization,and shorten the operation time and improve the patients'tolerance.
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Objective To evaluated the safety and clinical efficacy of CT-guided percutaneous radioactive 125I seeds implantation in treatment of spinal metastatic tumors.Methods Totally 20 cases (23 lesions) of spinal metastatic tumors with spinal compression and severe back pain were treated by CT-guided percutaneous 125I seeds implantation.Intractable pain and nerve function before and after therapy were evaluated.And the postoperative cumulative local tumors control rates and cumulative survival rates were calculated.Results The median follow-up period was 14 months (range 7-32months).There was no patient lost follow-up.And no severe complication occurred.Intractable pain significantly relieved one month after therapy.The neural retention rate of 12 patients with nerve function impairment was 85.00％ (17/20) and the neural function recovery rate was 30.00％ (6/20) three months after 125 I seeds'implantation.The local tumors control rates in 3-,6-,and 12-month were 100％,100％ and 90％,respectively.The survival rates in 6-and 12-month was 100％and 78.81％,respectively.Conclusion CT-guided percutaneous radioactive 125I seeds implantation for spinal metastatic tumors is safe and feasible.It can relief pain and improve neural function effectively.
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Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of biliary stent loaded with 125I seeds in treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma with malignant obstructive jaundice.Methods Totally 43 patients with malignant obstructive jaundice caused by cholangiocarcinoma were included.All the patients underwent percutaneous transhepatic puncture of the left and right side branch of the bile duct.In the hilar stenosis,the biliary stent with 125I seeds were implanted,and the biliary drainage tube had been kept in 3 to 5 days after procedures.The drainage tube was removed and the puncture road was closed after the patency of stents were confirmed by cholangiography.The changes of liver function before and after procedures were recorded,and the survival time was observed.Results Five biliary stents loaded with 125I seeds were implanted in type I (n=5),36 in type Ⅱ (n=18),8 in type Ⅲ (n=4) and 25 in type Ⅳ (n=16).The serum total bilirubin and direct bilirubin of patients before procedures were (145.54 ± 65.35) μmol/L and (124.73 ± 35.04) μmol/L,respectively,and (65.91±29.43)μmol/L and (35.50±15.12)μmol/L respectively after procedures.Compared with preoperative,the total bilirubin,direct bilirubin,alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,alkaline phosphatase,C-reactive protein and gamma glutamic transaminase decreased significantly (all P＜0.05).The lactate dehydrogenase had no significant difference before and after operation (P=1.050).The median survival time was 13 months (3.0 to 22.5 months).The serious complications such as biliary puncture,pancreatitis,severe biliary tract infection or biliary bleeding were not occurred.Conclusion Biliary stent loaded with 125 I seeds is an effective therapy to alleviate symptoms of jaundice and prolong the survival time of patients with malignant obstructive jaundice caused by hilar cholangiocarcinoma.
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Polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer assembled lipid nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared to improve their stability against lipolysis in gastrointestinal tract, and efficiency of oral absorption of doxorubicin (DOX). The lipid NPs were prepared by hot melt-probe sonication method. The polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer assembled lipid NPs (DOX-NPs/CS/γ-PGA) was prepared by layer-by-layer self-assembling polyelectrolytes cationic chitosan (CS) and anionic poly (γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) on the surface of lipid NPs based on electrostatic interaction. The particle size, polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential of lipid NPs and DOX-NPs/CS/γ-PGA were determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The in vitro drug release was determined in pH 1.2 HCl solution and pH 6.8 phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The stability of lipid NPs against lipolysis was evaluated in simulated gastrointestinal medium containing lipase. The cellular uptake of lipid NPs and DOX-NPs/CS/γ-PGA was evaluated in Caco-2 cell model. The pharmacokinetic of DOX after oral absorption was studied in SD rats. Results showed that the average particle size and zeta potential of DOX-NPs/CS/γ-PGA were 180.6±5.4 nm and -38.53±0.29 mV, respectively. The DOX-NPs/CS/γ-PGA effectively slowed down the release of DOX from nanoparticles, and decreased the lipolysis of lipid NPs in simulated gastrointestinal medium. The cell study showed that DOX-loaded lipid NPs and DOX-NPs/CS/γ-PGA remarkably enhanced the cell uptake in comparison with DOX solution. The DOX-NPs/CS/γ-PGA significantly improved oral absorption of DOX compared with DOX-loaded lipid NPs. The Cmax, tmax were 0.76±0.25 μg·mL-1 and 0.5 h, respectively; AUC0-24h was 3.02 folds and the relative bioavailability was 302.46% with DOX solution as reference. The stability of lipid NPs against lipolysis and drug release were significantly improved by layer-by-layer assembling, leading to an improved oral absorption.
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Objective To study the effects of Apelin on glucose toxicity and islet cells PDX-1 protein expression.Methods The islet β cell line NIT-1 cells were incubated in the medium containing different glucose concentrations(normal glucose concentration group 5.6 mmol/L,high glucose concentration group 16.7 mmol/L,extremely high glucose concentration group 33.3 mmol/L) and +/-Apelin-36 respectively for 3 d.Then the basic insulin secretion amount of islet cells and their secretion amount after glucose stimulation were detected.The intracellular insulin content and the PDX-1 protein and mRNA expression were detected.Results Compared with the normal glucose group,the basic insulin secretion,secretion after stimulation and intracellular insulin in the high glucose group and extremely high glucose group were significantly decreased and PDX-1 protein expression was declined(P＜ 0.05);compared with non-adding Apelin group,the basic insulin secretion,secretion after stimulation and intracellular insulin in the adding Apelin high glucose group and extremely high glucose group were significantly decreased and PDX-1 protein expression was decreased(P＜0.05);the insulin level in islet cells of 6 groups was positively correlated with PDX-1 protein expression and had no correlation with PDX-1 mRNA expression.Conclusion Apelin may participate in the glucose toxic effect by decreasing PDX-1 protein expression,causes the decrease of insulin secretion,thus plays a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes.
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Objective To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of percutaneous intraductal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treating biliary stent stenosis. Methods A total of 43 cases with biliary obstruction caused by biliary stent stenosis were enrolled in this study. Through percutaneous transhepatic pucturing of biliary duct, an EndoHPB catheter was placed in the stenotic site of the biliary stent, which was followed by RFA treatment. After RFA, biliary drainage catheter was reserved. The drainage catheter was removed when angiography confirmed that the stent was patent. Results Cholangiography showed that the biliary stent became patency after RFA in all patients. No procedure-related complications occurred. After RFA, the median patency time of the stenotic biliary stent in survival patients was 107 days (12-180 days). Conclusion The results of this preliminary clinical study indicate that percutaneous intraductal radiofrequency ablation has excellent effect and safety for the treatment of biliary stent stenosis, although more reliable and randomized controlled trials are needed before its effect and safety can be further proved.
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Objective To establish rat model of type 2 diabetes through a single subcutaneous injection of lipopolysaccharide which induced chronic inflammation.Methods The male Wistar rats(n = 30)were randomly divided control group (n = 10)and model group (n=20).Model group with LPS (300 μg·kg-1 ·day-1 )subcutaneous injection of eight weeks,rats in control group received isometric stroke-physiological saline solution injection in the same way.The changes in appearance,weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG)of rats were observed every week.At the end of the 8th week,thelevels of tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-α), interleukin-1(IL-1),interleukin-6 (IL-6),monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1)and fasting insulin(FINS)were measured.Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)and insulin release test(IRT)were also performed.The successful rat model was determined by the standards that FBG was ≥11.1 mmol/L.Results Model group rats reached the standard of type 2 diabetes after six weeks of LPS injection.Model group blood sugar is significantly higher than the control group (P <0.05).In addition,model group′s expression level of inflammatory cytokines in serum TNF-α,IL-1,IL-6,MCP-1 and FINS were significantly higher than control group (P <0.05).Oral glucose tolerance test,blood glucose levels higher than normal in model group,the insulin peak is lower than the normal group (P <0.05).Conclusion The success of establishing the animal model of type 2 diabetic rats which were injected of low dose of LPS by subcutaneous may be provide certain help for the etiology of diabetes research.
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As one of the important active components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), plant origin active proteins have many significant pharmacological functions. According to researches on the plant origin active proteins reported in recent years, pharmacological effects include anti-tumor, immune regulation, anti-oxidant, anti-pathogeny microorganism, anti-thrombus, as well as hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activities of plant origin were reviewed, respectively. On the other hand, the analytical methods including chromatography, spectroscopy, electrophoresis and mass spectrometry for plant origin proteins analysis were also summarized. The main purpose of this paper is providing a reference for future development and application of plant active proteins.
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Animals , Humans , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic , Pharmacology , Antioxidants , Pharmacology , Fibrinolytic Agents , Pharmacology , Hypoglycemic Agents , Pharmacology , Immunologic Factors , Pharmacology , Plant Proteins , Pharmacology , ResearchABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the plasma expression of plasma prekallikrein(KLKB1)in latent autoimmune diabetes in a‐dults(LADA),type1diabetes(T1DM),type2diabetes(T2DM)andhealthypeople,anditsrelationshipwithLADAincombination with other indicators .Methods Among the four groups ,KLKB1 ,glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c) ,fasting blood glucose(FPG) ,2 h postprandial plasma glucose(2 h PG) ,Fasting c‐peptide(FCP) ,2 h postprandial C peptide(2 h CP) ,and glutamic acid decarboxy‐lase antibody(GADA)were detected respectively .And the detection results were analyzed by statistics .Results By comparison , there were statistically significant difference between LADA group and other groups on FPG(except for T2DM group) ,2 h PG , HbA1c ,FCP and 2 h CP(P0 .05) .Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) showed that only using KLKB1 to di‐agnose LADA had its limitation .Conclusion KLKB1 could be used as a clinical indicator to predict the onset of LADA to a certain degree .We could screen for LADA by using KLKB1 and other indicators in people at high risk .
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Objective To examine plasma levels of protease C1 inhibitor (SERPING1) in adult patients with latent autoimmune diabetes (LADA), and their clinical significance thereof. Methods The levels of SERPING1 were detected and compared between LADA, type 1 diabetes (T1DM), type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and healthy control groups. The correlation between plasma levels of SERPING1 and other clinical indicators such as age, disease course, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FPG), 2 h postprandial plasma glucose (2 hPG), fasting c-peptide (FCP) and 2 h postprandi-al C peptide (2 hCP) was analyzed. Multi-factor regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) were used to evaluate the predictive effect of SERPING1 in LADA at the early stage. Results The level of SERPING1 was significantly higher in LADA group than that of T2DM group and control group (P < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between SERPING1 and FCP, and a positive correlation between SERPING1 and HbA1c, FPG and 2 hPG (P<0.05). There were no significant correlation between SERPING1 and age, disease course and 2 hCP. FCP was analyzed by regression equation (P<0.05), and which was the main influence factor of the plasma level of SERPING1. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of SERPING1 was 0.613 (P<0.05), 95%CI 0.514-0.712. The optimal cut-point of SERPING1 for early prediction of LADA was 289.71 mg/L, and the sensitivity and specificity were 69%and 48%respectively. Conclusion SERPING1 combined with other indicators will be useful for identifying LADA from T2DM at the early stage.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore whether microRNA-200a (miR-200a) could be used as a novel biomarker of liver cancer using a rat model system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Diethylnitrosamine abdominal injection was applied to induce liver cancer in the F344 rat strain (n =40); ten unmodeled rats served as controls. In addition, human subjects with normal healthy liver (n =10), liver cirrhosis (n =10), and liver cancer (n =10) were enrolled in the study. Blood samples from both rats and patients and rats' livers were collected for analysis. Real-time quantitative PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used respectively to measure the expressions of serum miR-200a and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for all rat and human subjects. In situ hybridization was used to detect the miR-200a expression in the rats' livers.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Comparison of normal rats and the liver cancer modeled rats showed that the latter had significantly lower expression of miR-200a (P less than 0.05), with decreasing expression following the progression of liver injury to cancer (liver cirrhosis rats less than early liver cancer rats less than advanced liver cancer rats); in contrast, the AFP levels were significantly higher in the liver cancer modeled rats only at the early and advanced stages of the liver cancer (P less than 0.05). These</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>suggested that miR-200a expression decreases during the developmental process of liver cancer, while AFP expression increases distinctly at the stage of tumor formation. Analysis of the human subjects' clinical samples showed that miR-200a expression was decreased in both liver cirrhosis patients and liver cancer patients (vs. normal liver subjects, P less than 0.05), while AFP showed abnormal expression only in the patients with liver cancer. Comparison of the normal rats and modeled rats using in situ hybridization showed the positive rates for miR-200a expression were 1.00% +/- 0.01% in rats with normal liver, 0.37% +/- 0.03% in rats with fibrotic liver, 0.14% +/- 0.01% in rats with cirrhotic liver, 0.05% +/- 0.00% in rats with early stage liver cancer, and 0.01% +/- 0.00% in rats with advanced stage liver cancer.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MiR-200a may play an important role in liver cancer development and may have diagnostic value for indicating early liver cancer.</p>