Current status of research on the role of fibronectin in the progression of posterior capsular opacification fibrosis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Posterior cataract opacification(PCO)is the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation(EMT)of residual lens epithelial cells(LECs)after cataract surgery, resulting in opaque scar which is one of the main complications of cataract surgery. A large amount of fibronectin(FN)produced by LECs after cataract surgery binds to a variety of cell surface receptors, matrix components and growth factors to regulate cell behavior. The purpose of this article is to review the literatures on the treatment of PCO targeting fibronectin and provide references for clinical treatment of PCO. In this paper, the research status of fibronectin in PCO in recent years is reviewed.

Effects of Ganfukang on expression of connective tissue growth factor and focal adhesion kinase/protein kinase B signal pathway in hepatic fibrosis rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Ganfukang (GFK) on connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/protein kinase B (PKB or Akt) signal pathway in a hepatic fibrosis rat model and to explore the underlying therapeutic molecular mechanisms of GFK.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into five groups as follows: the control group, the model group (repeated subcutaneous injection of CCl4), and the three GFK treatment groups (31.25, 312.5, and 3125 mg/kg, intragastric administration). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry were used to examine the expression of CTGF, integrin α5, integrin β1, FAK/Akt signal pathway, cyclinD1, and collagen in the different-treated rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>GFK attenuated the up-regulation of CTGF, integrin α5, and integrin β1 in hepatic fibrosis rats and suppressed both the phosphorylation of FAK and the phosphorylation of Akt simultaneously (P<0.01). At the same time, the expression of cyclinD1, collagen I, and collagen III was decreased by GFK significantly (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CTGF and FAK/Akt signal pathway were activated in the CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis rats, which contribute to increased expression of cyclinD1 and collagen genes. The mechanisms of the anti-fibrosis activity of GFK may be due to its effects against CTGF and FAk/Akt signal pathway.</p>

Effect of acupuncture on transmembrane signal pathway in AD mice: an analysis based on lipid-raft proteomics / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To reveal the transmembrane signal pathway participating in regulating neuron functions of treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) by acupuncture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SAMP8 mice was used for AD animal model. The effect of acupuncture method for qi benefiting, blood regulating, health supporting, and root strengthening on the amount and varieties of transmembrane signal proteins from hippocampal lipid rafts in SAMP8 mice was detected using HPLC MS/MS proteomics method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, acupuncture increased 39 transmembrane signal proteins from hippocampal lipid rafts in SAMP8 mice, of them, 14 belonged to ionophorous protein, 8 to G protein, 8 to transmembrane signal receptor, and 9 to kinase protein. Totally 3 main cell signal pathways were involved, including G-protein-coupled receptors signal, enzyme linked receptor signal, and ion-channel mediated signal. Compared with the sham-acupuncture group, acupuncture resulted in significant increase of kinase signal protein amount. From the aspect of functions, they were dominant in regulating synapse functions relevant to cytoskeleton and secreting neurotransmitters.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The cell biological mechanism for treating AD by acupuncture might be achieved by improving synapse functions and promoting the secretion of neurotransmitters through transmembrane signal transduction, thus improving cognitive function of AD patients.</p>

Combination of acupoints based on the theory of qi tonification, blood regulation and strengthening the primary source / 中国针灸

The acupuncture technique of tonifying qi, regulating blood and strengthening the primary source of human life is established on the base of the new pathology of dementia due to dysfunction of sanjiao by Prof. HAN Jing-xian. It is held that Tanzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli(ST 36) and Waiguan (TE 5) were the basic points for treatment of dementia. There are 3 characteristics of the point combination. Firstly, emphasis should be put on regulation of the stomach and the spleen so as to promote transportation, transformation and distribution; secondly, monarch, minister, assistant and guide points should be selected on the base of meridians, and more attention should be paid to the entity and connections among organs; and thirdly, treatment should be given according to physiological functions of the viscera.

Effect of cardiotrophin-1 on cardiac transcription factor GATA4 expression in rat cardiomyocytes / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) on the GATA4 expression and related signaling pathways (JAK-STAT3, ERK1/2 and PI3-K) in rat cardiomyocytes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using semi-quantitative RT-PCR and EMSA, we measured the dose and time dependent effects of CT-1 on GATA4 mRNA and binding activity in cultured rat cardiomyocytes. Parthenolide (a STAT inhibitor), U-0126 (an ERK inhibitor) and LY-294002 (a PI3-K inhibitor) alone or in combination were added to the culture medium to assess the role of above signaling pathways in CT-1 mediated effects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>GATA4 mRNA expression significantly increased at 3 h post 0.1 nmol/L CT-1 exposure, peaked at 6 h and remained high till 24 h post exposure. The GATA4 binding activity began to increase at 10 min and peaked at 60 min and returned to baseline level 180 min. Six hours post CT-1 (0.01 nmol/L, 0.1 nmol/L, 1 nmol/L) exposure, the GATA4 mRNA expression increased in a dose-dependent manner. The GATA4 binding activity peaked with 0.1 nmol/L CT-1 and higher dose did not further increase the binding activity. U-0126 increased the GATA4 mRNA expression and enhanced the GATA4 binding activity and these effects could be partially attenuated with addition of Parthenolide. Parthenolide also prevented the increase of GATA4 mRNA and binding activity induced by CT-1. LY-294002 had no effects GATA4 mRNA and binding activity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CT-1 increases the GATA4 mRNA expression and binding activity in rat cardiomyocytes via STAT3/ERK1/2 pathways and these effects are independent of PI3-K pathway.</p>

Inhibitory effects of salviae miltiorrhizae and beta-aescinom natrium on the postburn acute lung injury in rats / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the inhibitory effect and its mechanism of salviae miltiorrhizae and beta-aescinom natrium on the postburn acute lung injury in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five rats were randomly divided into sham control (C, n = 9), sodium chloride group (S, n = 9), salviae miltiorrhizae group (M, n = 9), beta-aescinom natrium group (A, n = 9), and combination group (MA, n = 9). The rats in M, A and MA groups were subjected to 30% TBSA III degree scald on the back, and all the rats were sacrificed at 24 PBH. The blood and pulmonary tissue samples were harvested from the rats at 24 PBH for the determination of leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation (LAA) in peripheral blood, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) contents, and the ratio of wet to dry weights (W/D) of lung tissue.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with those in S group, the LAA in blood and the pulmonary tissue contents of MPO, MDA and W/D rate in M and A groups, and especially in MA group, were decreased significantly, but the SOD content in pulmonary tissue increased obviously in M and A groups, especially in MA group. Furthermore, blood LAA was positively correlated with pulmonary tissue MDA content.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Postburn intra-pulmonary agglutination and aggregation of PMNs and pulmonary injury by oxygen free radicals (OFRs) and their products could be inhibited by either Salviae Miltiorrhizae or beta-aescinom natrium. In addition, these agents could also increase the tissue content of antioxidant capacity and decrease pulmonary microvascular permeability and lung water content. The results indicated that all the agents used might be effective in prevention and treatment of postburn pulmonary injury, especially when used together.</p>