Junctional adhesion molecule-like protein as a novel target for kaempferol to ameliorate lung adenocarcinoma / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Although there have been improvements in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, the majority of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients still lack effective therapies. Consequently, it is urgent to screen for new diagnosis biomarkers and pharmacological targets. Junctional adhesion molecule-like protein (JAML) was considered to be an oncogenic protein and may be a novel therapeutic target in LUAD. Kaempferol is a natural flavonoid that exhibits antitumor activities in LUAD. However, the effect of kaempferol on JAML is still unknown.@*METHODS@#Small interfering RNA was used to knockdown JAML expression. The cell viability was determined using the cell counting kit-8 assay. The proliferation of LUAD cells was evaluated using the 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assay. The migration and invasion of LUAD cells were evaluated by transwell assays. Molecular mechanisms were explored by Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#JAML knockdown suppressed proliferation, migration and invasion of LUAD cells, and JAML deficiency restrained epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via inactivating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway. Using a PI3K activator (740Y-P), rescue experiments showed that phenotypes to JAML knockdown in LUAD cells were dependent on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Kaempferol also inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of A549 and H1299 cells and partially suppressed EMT through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Knockdown of JAML ameliorated the inhibitory effect of kaempferol on LUAD cells. Kaempferol exerted anticancer effects by targeting JAML.@*CONCLUSION@#JAML is a novel target for kaempferol against LUAD cells. Please cite this article as: Wu Q, Wang YB, Che XW, Wang H, Wang W. Junctional adhesion molecule-like protein as a novel target for kaempferol to ameliorate lung adenocarcinoma. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(3): 268-276.

The protective ability and cellular mechanism of Koelreuteria henryi Dummer flower extract against hydrogen peroxide-induced cellular oxidative damage

BACKGROUND: Koelreuteria henryi Dummer is an indigenous plant in Taiwan. The species has been used in traditional folk medicine for the promotion of liver functions and for treating malaria and urethritis. The present study investigated the antioxidant activity of the flower extract of Koelreuteria henryi Dummer. The extraction conditions were optimized by the contents of total phenolic acids and total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity assays. Moreover, an in vitro study for investigating antioxidant activity of K. henryi flower extract was demonstrated by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis. RESULTS: K. henryi flower extracted for 150 min showed high contents of total phenolic acids and total flavonoids. In an in vitro model, L929 cells were pretreated with K. henryi flower extract, and then treated with H2O2 to induce oxidative damage. Results demonstrated that H2O2-induced apoptosis was inhibited by the treatment of 200 µg/ml K. henryi flower extract through the mitochondria-mediated pathway and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. The caspase 8/9 activity and expression of p-p38 and pERK were repressed by K. henryi flower extract. In addition, the prevention of H2O2-induced apoptosis by K. henryi flower extract activated the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) stress response pathway to transcript heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). Also, K. henryi flower extract prevented H2O2-induced apoptosis through HO-1 production, as evident by the use of HO-1 inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that K. henryi flower extract could inhibit the H2O2-induced apoptosis in L929 cells through the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Toxicity evaluation of water extract of tissue-cultured Taraxacum formosanum by acute, subacute administration, and Ames test

BACKGROUND: Taraxacum species (commonly known as dandelion) used as herbal medicine have been reported to exhibit an antiproliferative effect on hepatoma cells and antitumor activity in non-small-cell lung cancer cells. Although several investigations have demonstrated the safety of Taraxacum officinale, the safety of tissue-cultured plants of T. formosanum has not been assessed so far. Therefore, the present study examines the safety of the water extract of the entire plant of tissue cultured T. formosanum based on acute and subacute toxicity tests in rats, as well as the Ames tests. RESULTS: No death or toxicity symptoms were observed in the acute and subacute tests. The results of the acute test revealed that the LD50 (50% of lethal dose) value of the T. formosanum water extract for rats exceeded 5 g/kg bw. No abnormal changes in the body weight, weekly food consumption, organ weight, or hematological, biochemical, and morphological parameters were observed in the subacute toxicity test. Thus, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of T. formosanum water extract was estimated to be higher than 2.0 g/kg. Finally, the results of the Ames test revealed that T. formosanum water extract was not genotoxic at any tested concentration to any of five Salmonella strains. CONCLUSIONS: The water extract of tissue-cultured T. formosanum was non-toxic to rats in acute and subacute tests and exhibited no genotoxicity to five Salmonella strains.

Effect of KLF-4 on peritoneal fibrosis induced by high glucose peritoneal dialysate via targeting regulation of the expression of E-cadherin / 解放军医学杂志

[Abstract] Objective To explore the relationship between Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF-4) and E-cadherin in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs), and the expression and function of KLF-4 in the animal model of peritoneal fibrosis induced by high glucose peritoneal dialysate. Methods Co-transfection in HPMCs with the plasmid of KLF-4 and the bind site or mutant in the promoter region of E-cadherin, and then the luciferase activity was measured of the each bind site and its matched mutants to estimate whether KLF-4 can combine with the bind site in the promoter region of E-cadherin; Chromatin immunocoprecipitation (CHIP) was exploited to verify if KLF-4 can combine with the bind site in the promoter region of E-cadherin; Real-time PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the expression of E-cadherin at the bind site and matched mutants of b, d, f and g. Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into saline group, peritoneal dialysate group and experimental group (10 each). Rats in saline group were given intraperitoneal injection with 0.9% NaCl, in peritoneal dialysate group were given with 4.25% high glucose peritoneal dialysate, and in experimental group were given via tail vein with 4.25% high glucose peritoneal dialysate and the mixture of KLF-4 plasmid suspension containing ultrasound microbubble. To observe the peritoneal tissue thickness of the 3 groups of rats by Hematoxylin and Eosin staining. Masson trichrome staining was performed to detect the deposition of collagen fibers in peritoneal tissue of the 3 groups of rats. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression level of KLF-4, E-cadherin, α-SMA and fibronectin (FN) in peritoneal tissue of the 3 groups of rats. Results Promoter luciferase reporter gene and CHIP results showed that KLF-4 can combine with the bind site in the promoter region of E-cadherin in HPMCs. Real-time PCR and Western blotting showed that KLF-4 can positively regulate the expression of E-cadherin. HE staining showed that the peritoneal tissue was obviously thickened in rats of peritoneal dialysate group [(105.91±12.0) μm] than in rats of saline group [(20.89±5.39) μm] and of experimental group [(23.05±6.07) μm] with statistical significance (P0.05). Masson staining showed that the deposition of collagen fiber significantly increased in peritoneal dialysate group (0.89±0.09) than in saline group (0.19±0.03) and experimental group (0.15±0.06) with statistical significance (P0.05). Immunohistochemistry results showed that the expressions of KLF-4 and E-cadherin were obviously lower in peritoneal dialysate group (0.27±0.09, 0.31±0.03) than in saline group (0.79±0.19, 0.83±0.13) and experimental group (0.85±0.11, 0.76±0.11) with statistically significant difference (P0.05). In contrast, the expressions of α-SMA and FN were evidently higher in peritoneal dialysate group (0.83±0.09, 0.63±0.09) than in saline group (0.22±0.08, 0.30±0.07) and experimental group (0.19±0.05, 0.11±0.03) with statistically significant difference (P0.05). Conclusion KLF-4 may positive regulate the expression of E-cadherin by combining with the bind site in the promoter region of E-cadherin, and inhibit the peritoneal fibrosis induced via high glucose peritoneal dialysate.

Effects of Ligustrazine on Airway Inflammation in A Mouse Model of Neutrophilic Asthma / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of ligustrazine (LTZ) on airway inflammation in a mouse model of neutrophilic asthma (NA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty healthy C57BL/6 female mice were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table, including the normal control, NA, LTZ and dexamethasone (DXM) groups, with 10 rats in each group. The NA mice model was established by the method of ovalbumin combined with lipopolysaccharide sensitization. At 0.5 h before each challenge, LTZ and DXM groups were intraperitoneally injected with LTZ (80 mg/kg) or DXM (0.5 mg/kg) for 14 d, respectively, while the other two groups were given the equal volume of normal saline. After last challenge for 24 h, the aerosol inhalation of methacholine was performed and the airway reactivity was measured. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected. The Wright-Giemsa staining was used for total white blood cells and differential counts. The levels of cytokines interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-10 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The pathological change of lung tissue was observed by hematoxylin eosin staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The airway responsiveness of the NA group was signifificantly higher than the normal control group (P<0.05), while those in the LTZ and DXM groups were signifificantly lower than the NA group (P<0.05). The neutrophil and eosinophil counts in the LTZ and DXM groups were signifificantly lower than the NA group (P<0.05), and those in the LTZ group were signifificantly lower than the DXM group (P<0.05). There were a large number of peribronchiolar and perivascular inflammatory cells in fifiltration in the NA group. The airway inflflammation in the LTZ and DXM groups were signifificantly alleviated than the NA group. The infifiltration in the LTZ group was signifificantly reduced than the DXM group. Compared with the normal control group, the IL-17 level in BALF was signifificantly increased and the IL-10 level in BALF was signifificantly decreased in the NA group (P<0.05). LTZ and DXM treatment signifificantly decreased IL-17 levels and increased IL-10 levels compared with the NA group (P<0.05), and the changes in the above indices were more signifificant in the LTZ group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LTZ could alleviate the airway inflflammation in the NA mice model through increasing the IL-10 level and decreasing the IL-17 level.</p>

Effects of protein PUMA-α on the apoptosis and fibrosis of human peritoneal mesothelial cells induced by high glucose / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To explore the effects of p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA)-α protein on the apoptosis and fibrosis of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) induced by high glucose.Methods HPMCs were induced by 50mmol/L D type glucose or mannitol for 72 hours respectively,flow cytometry was employed to detect the rate of apoptotic cells,and theexpression levels of apoptosis-and fibrosis-related proteins were detected by Western blotting.The untreated HPMCs were transfected with Lenti-PUMA-α,and the treated cells were transfected with shRNA-PUMA-α,the number of apoptotic cells and the expression levels of apoptosis-and fibrosis-related proteins were detected with the methods mentioned above.Results Flow cytometry showed that the rate of apoptotic HPMCs increased after being induced by high glucose for 72 hours,and Western blotting revealed that the expression levels of pro-apoptotic and pro-fibrotic related proteins increased,but the arrestins of apoptosis and fibrosis-related proteins decreased.Up-regulation of PUMA-α promoted apoptosis and fibrosis,while down-regulation of PUMA-α alleviated apoptosis and fibrosis of HPMCs.Conclusion High glucose may accelerate apoptosis and fibrosis of HPMCs by up-regulating the expression of PUMA-α.

The role of SRF- miRNA-143-KLF-4 signal pathway in the HPMC phenotypic transition induced via high glucose / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To explore the role of Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF-4) in phenotypic transition of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) induced via high glucose. Methods HPMCs were induced by 50mmol/L glucose for 72 hours, the expressions of epithelium-cadherin (E-cadherin), KLF-4, α-smooth muscle actin (-SMA), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and miRNA-143 were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The treated cells were transfected with LVKLF-4 and inhibitor, the untreated cells were transfected with shRNA-KLF-4 and mimic. The mRNA and protein expressions of KLF-4, E-cadherin, α-SMA, CTGF and miRNA-143 were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results Real-time PCR showed that the expression of E-cadherin decreased and of α-SMA, CTGF and miRNA-143 increased, but of KLF-4 not changed in high glucose treated cells. Western blotting showed that the expression of KLF-4 and E-cadherin decreased. Upregulating KLF-4 increased the expression of E-cadherin, but decreased the expression of α-SMA and CTGF. Down-regulating KLF-4 decreased the expression of E-cadherin, but augment the expression of α-SMA and CTGF. Conclusion High glucose may induce the down-regulation of KLF-4 protein, and SRF- miRNA-143-KLF-4 signal pathway axis may be involved in the process of HPMC phenotypic transition.

Wendan decoction (温胆汤) for treatment of schizophrenia: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the beneficial and adverse effects of Wendan Decoction (温胆汤, WDD) for the treatment of schizophrenia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Five electronic databases were searched until May 2014, including the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, the Chinese Scientist Journal Database, PubMed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in the Cochrane Library. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing WDD against placebo, antipsychotic drugs, or WDD combined with antipsychotic drugs against antipsychotic drugs alone were included. Study selection, data extraction, quality assessment, and data analyses were conducted according to the Cochrane standards.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirteen RCTs (involving 1,174 patients) were included and the methodological quality was evaluated as generally low. The pooled results showed that WDD combined with antipsychotic drugs were more effective in clinical comprehensive effect, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores compared with antipsychotic drugs alone. However, WDD had less effectiveness compared with antipsychotics in clinical comprehensive effect; and WDD was not different from antipsychotic drugs for PANSS scores. The side effects were significantly reduced in the intervention group compared with the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>WDD appears to be effective on improving symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. However, due to poor methodological quality in the majority of the included trials, the potential benefit from WDD needs to be confirmed in rigorous trials and the design and reporting of trials should follow the international standards.</p>

Effect of epigallocatechin - 3 - gallate against oxidative stress induced by high glucose in human lens epithelium cells / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Abstract?AIM: To investigate the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate ( EGCG ) against oxidative stress induced by high glucose in human lens epithelium ( HLE) cells.? METHODS: The HLE cell oxidative damage model induced by high concentration glucose was established, and was intervented with different concentrations of EGCG. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay, cell morphology was investigated by convert microscope, cells apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry with Hoechst-PI staining. Moreover, the levels of super oxide dismutase ( SOD) , glutathione peroxidase ( GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde ( MDA) in supernatant were also tested after different treatment either with high concentration glucose or with different concentrations of EGCG.?RESULTS: MTT results showed that HLE cells activity increased to 50. 33%± 3. 52% and 63. 33%± 4. 63% after treated with 10 μmol/L and 100 μmol/L EGCG respectively, the difference was statistically significant compared with oxidative injury group(32. 67%±3. 10%)(P<0. 05 ); HLE cells maintained better morphology intervented with EGCG under high glucose conditions, the number of apoptotic cells reduced, SOD and GSH-Px level within HLE cells increased and MDA levels decreased.?CONCLUSION:EGCG plays its strong antioxidant effect by increasing SOD, GSH-Px content and decreasing MDA content in cells, therefore provides a reliable experimental basis for the search for effective prevention and treatment of cataract drug.

Research on morbidity and relative factors of cough variant asthma among patients with chronic cough syndrome / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To study the morbidity of cough variant asthma (CVA) among patients with chronic cough syndrome and its relative risk factors. Methods Patients were recruited with detailed history on their illness. Data were collected on physical examination, chest X-ray, eosinophil cell counts, pulmonary ventilation with histamine stimulating test and bronchi dilation test. According to available data, diagnosis of CVA was confirmed and the relative factors Questionnaire form was completed for each patient. Results Among 473 patients with chronic cough, 95 (44 male and 51 female) were confirmed to be CVA (20.08%). Analysis of the relative factors suggested that CVA was associated with multiple factors. Morbidity of CVA was associated with season, personal histories on allergy and family history on asthma, CVA could be induced by upper respiratory tract infection, inhale of oil vapor, acrimony air, over-burdened physical exercises etc. Conclusion For patients with chronic cough symptom, clear diagnosis of CVA, avoid of passable risk factors and timely medical intervention when necessary, would be helpful in controlling clinical courses and improving the prognosis of the disease.

Effect of ligustrazine injection on levels of interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma in patients with bronchial asthma / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of ligustrazine injection (LI) on serum levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in patients with bronchial asthma and determine the mechanism of action of LI in preventing and treating asthma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-eight patients with mild or moderate bronchial asthma were assigned to two groups equally according to their sequence number, odd or even. The conventional treatment was administered to both groups, and LI was given to the treatment group by ultrasonic spray inhalation twice a day but not to the control group. The therapeutic course for all was 2 weeks. Further, 30 healthy subjects who had no history of smoking were enrolled as the normal control group. The clinical condition scores, frequency of attacks and dosage of Terbutaline inhaled were scored and recorded on the first day of hospitalization (before treatment) and after treatment. At the same time, the indexes of lung function, including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1%) and the peak expiratory flow (PEF) were determined before treatment. The levels of IL-4 and IFN-gamma in peripheral blood were detected by ELISA before and after treatment, and compared with that of the healthy control group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the clinical condition scores were found to be lower, indexes of lung function were elevated, but serum level of IL-4 and ratio of IL-4/IFN-gamma were reduced in both groups, showing significant differences as compared to those before treatment (P<0.05). However, the changes in all the indexes were more significant in the treatment group than in the control group, also showing statistical significance (P<0.05). No significant difference was revealed when IFN-gamma levels were compared before and after treatment in both groups, though a lowering trend could be seen, significant difference could not be found in the comparison of IFN-gamma levels between groups after treatment (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LI shows good clinical effect in treating bronchial asthma, and its mechanism might be related to the suppression of the synthesis of IL-4, thus leading to the inhibition of TH2 cell subset preponderant response and immune equilibrium regulation.</p>

Expressions and significance of Survivin and VEGF in hepatocellular carcinoma / 中国基层医药

Objective To explore the expressions of Survivin and VEGF and relationship between them in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The expressions of Survivin protein and VEGF protein in 50 HCC.30 cirrhosis and 10 normal tissues were assessed by immunohistochemical method.The expressions of Survivin mRNA and VEGF mRNA in 50 HCC,30 cirrhosis and 10 normal tissues were assessed by in situ hybridization.Results The expressions of Survivin and VEGF in cancer tissues,cirrhosis tissues,normal tissues weresignificantly different. The expression of Survivin in HCC tissues was stronger than that in cirrhosis,but the expreesion of VEGF in cirrho- sis was stronger than that in HCC tissues.Conclusion The expression of survivin.is closely associated with the ex- pression of VEGF in HCC and they take positive correlation.The abnormal expressions of Survivin and VEGF are closely associated with the development of HCC.They may play important roles in the development of HCC.