Screening and analysis of key active constituents in Guanxinshutong capsule using mass spectrum and integrative network pharmacology / 中国天然药物

Guanxinshutong capsule (GXSTC) is an effective and safe traditional Chinese medicine used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) for many years. However, the targets of this herbal formula and the underlying molecular mechanisms of action involved in the treatment of CVDs are still unclear. In the present study, we used a systems pharmacology approach to identify the active ingredients of GXSTC and their corresponding targets in the calcium signaling pathway with respect to the treatment of CVDs. This method integrated chromatographic techniques, prediction of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, analysis using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, network construction, and pharmacological experiments. 12 active compounds and 33 targets were found to have a role in the treatment of CVDs, and four main active ingredients, including protocatechuic acid, cryptotanshinone, eugenol, and borneol were selected to verify the effect of (GXSTC) on calcium signaling system in cardiomyocyte injury induced by hypoxia and reoxygenation. The results from the present study revealed the active components and targets of GXSTC in the treatment of CVDs, providing a new perspective to enhance the understanding of the role of the calcium signaling pathway in the therapeutic effect of GXSTC.

Screening and analysis of key active constituents in Guanxinshutong capsule using mass spectrum and integrative network pharmacology / 中国天然药物

Guanxinshutong capsule (GXSTC) is an effective and safe traditional Chinese medicine used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) for many years. However, the targets of this herbal formula and the underlying molecular mechanisms of action involved in the treatment of CVDs are still unclear. In the present study, we used a systems pharmacology approach to identify the active ingredients of GXSTC and their corresponding targets in the calcium signaling pathway with respect to the treatment of CVDs. This method integrated chromatographic techniques, prediction of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, analysis using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, network construction, and pharmacological experiments. 12 active compounds and 33 targets were found to have a role in the treatment of CVDs, and four main active ingredients, including protocatechuic acid, cryptotanshinone, eugenol, and borneol were selected to verify the effect of (GXSTC) on calcium signaling system in cardiomyocyte injury induced by hypoxia and reoxygenation. The results from the present study revealed the active components and targets of GXSTC in the treatment of CVDs, providing a new perspective to enhance the understanding of the role of the calcium signaling pathway in the therapeutic effect of GXSTC.

Role of Coagulation Factor 2 Receptor during Respiratory Pneumococcal Infections

Coagulation factor 2 receptor (F2R), also well-known as a protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1), is the first known thrombin receptor and plays a critical role in transmitting thrombin-mediated activation of intracellular signaling in many types of cells. It has been known that bacterial infections lead to activation of coagulation systems, and recent studies suggest that PAR1 may be critically involved not only in mediating bacteria-induced detrimental coagulation, but also in innate immune and inflammatory responses. Community-acquired pneumonia, which is frequently caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae), is characterized as an intra-alveolar coagulation and an interstitial neutrophilic inflammation. Recently, the role of PAR1 in regulating pneumococcal infections has been proposed. However, the role of PAR1 in pneumococcal infections has not been clearly understood yet. In this review, recent findings on the role of PAR1 in pneumococcal infections and possible underlying molecular mechanisms by which S. pneumoniae regulates PAR1-mediated immune and inflammatory responses will be discussed.

Baicalin attenuates focal cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury by inhibition of protease-activated receptor-1 and apoptosis / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the neuro-protective effects of baicalin in Wistar rats with focal cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety adult male Wistar rats weighing 320-350 g were randomly divided into the following groups (n=5): (a) sham control group; (b) vehicle group, subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion and received vehicle intraperitoneally; (c-e) baicalin groups, which were subjected to the middle cerebral artery occlusion and treated with baicalin 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively. The neurological scores were determined at postoperative 1, 3 and 7 d after the treatment. The expression of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1), PAR-1 mRNA and Caspase-3 were determined using Western blot, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) analysis and immunohistochemistry, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant decrease was noted in the neurological score in the baicalin group compared with that of the vehicle group (P<0.01). Additionally, down-regulation of PAR-1 mRNA, PAR-1 and Caspase-3 was observed in the baicalin groups compared with those obtained from the vehicle group (P<0.01). Compared with the low-dose baicalin group (25 mg/kg), remarkable decrease was noted in neurological score, and the expression of PAR-1 mRNA, PAR-1 as well as Caspase-3 in the high-dose group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Baicalin showed neuro-protective effects in focal cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury through inhibiting the expression of PAR-1 and apoptosis.</p>

Expression of protease-activated receptor 1 in the basilar artery of rats following subarachnoid hemorrhage / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the relationship between protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) expression in the basilar artery and cerebral vasospasm (CVS) in a rat model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four SD rats were randomized into normal control group, SAH 3-days group, SAH 5-days group and SAH 7-days group. Rat models of SAH were established by two injections of blood into the cisterna magna and the behavioral changes of the rats were observed. The basilar arteries were taken at 3, 5, or 7 days following the modeling for measuring the cross-sectional area of the basilar artery and for immunohistochemical detection of PAR1 expression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The SAH model rats, especially those in SAH 3-days group, presented with obvious neurological deficits, which was not found in the normal control group. CVS was not observed in the normal control group but occurred in the SAH model rats, which showed reduced cross-sectional area of the basilar artery and worsening spasm over time. The expression level of PAR1 tended to increase gradually in SAH 3-days, SAH 5-days and SAH 7-days groups. Pearson correlation analysis showed an inverse correlation between the expression of PAR1 and the cross-sectional area of the basilar artery (r=-0.779, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expression of PAR1 increases significantly in rat basilar artery wall following SAH in positive correlation with the severity of CVS, suggesting the role of thrombin in the pathological process of CVS after SAH.</p>

Roles of protease-activated receptor-1 in thrombin-induced brain injury and neurogenesis in rats / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the roles of protease-activated receptors (PARs) in thrombin-induced brain injury and neurogenesis in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety male SD rats were randomly assigned to receive intra-hippocampus injection of NS, thrombin or specific agonists of 3 protease-activated receptors (PAR-1, PAR-3 and PAR-4), respectively. At 1,3 and 7 d after injection, the area of the hippocampus was determined with HE staining, the density and morphology of astrocyte were detected with GFAP staining, degenerated neurons were detected with Fluoro-Jade C staining, and the neurogenesis was examined with DCX staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to NS injection, the area of the hippocampus significantly increased at 1-3 d and decreased at 7 d after the injection of thrombin and PAR-1 agonist (P<0.05). In addition, injection of thrombin and PAR-1 agonist significantly increased the density of astrocyte and Fluoro-Jade C positive cells at 1-7 d after injection (P<0.05), and significantly increased the density of DCX positive cells at 3-7 d after injection(P<0.05). The injection of PAR-3 agonist and PAR-4 agonist had no affect on the area of the hippocampus, the density of astrocyte, Fluoro-Jade C positive cells and DCX positive cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The activation of protease-activated receptor-1 may be related to the thrombin-induced brain injury and neurogenesis in rat hippocampus.</p>

MMP-1/PAR-1 signal transduction axis and its prognostic impact in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

The matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP-1)/protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) signal transduction axis plays an important role in tumorigenesis. To explore the expression and prognostic value of MMP-1 and PAR-1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), we evaluated the expression of two proteins in resected specimens from 85 patients with ESCC by immunohistochemistry. Sixty-two (72.9 percent) and 58 (68.2 percent) tumors were MMP-1- and PAR-1-positive, respectively, while no significant staining was observed in normal esophageal squamous epithelium. MMP-1 and PAR-1 overexpression was significantly associated with tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage and regional lymph node involvement. Patients with MMP-1- and PAR-1-positive tumors, respectively, had poorer disease-free survival (DFS) than those with negative ESCC (P = 0.002 and 0.003, respectively). Univariate analysis showed a significant relationship between TNM stage [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.836, 95 percent confidence interval (CI) = 1.866-4.308], regional lymph node involvement (HR = 2.955, 95 percentCI = 1.713-5.068), MMP-1 expression (HR = 2.669, 95 percentCI = 1.229-6.127), and PAR-1 expression (HR = 1.762, 95 percentCI = 1.156-2.883) and DFS. Multivariate analysis including the above four parameters identified TNM stage (HR = 2.035, 95 percentCI = 1.167-3.681), MMP-1 expression (HR = 2.109, 95 percentCI = 1.293-3.279), and PAR-1 expression (HR = 1.967, 95 percentCI = 1.256-2.881) as independent and significant prognostic factors for DFS. Our data suggest for the first time that MMP-1 and PAR-1 were both overexpressed in ESCC and are novel predictors of poor patient prognosis after curative resection. The MMP-1/PAR-1 signal transduction axis might be a new therapeutic target for future therapies tailored against ESCC.

Inibição do receptor tipo-1 ativado por protease (PAR¹) na doença e reparo periodontal / Type 1 protease-activated receptor (PAR 1 ) inhibition on periodontal disease and repair

A sinalização celular por PAR¹ tem mostrado influenciar uma ampla gama de respostas patofisiológicas, incluindo ativação plaquetária, crescimento tumoral, inflamação e metástases. Baseando-se nisto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito do Parstatin, droga que tem ação biológica oposta àquela desencadeada pela ativação do PAR¹, durante o processo de indução e reparo da inflamação. Foi utilizado um modelo de periodontite experimental em ratos através da instalação de ligaduras de fio de algodão nos segundos molares superiores. Para isto, 72 ratos foram separados aleatoriamente em 9 grupos com 8 animais cada e receberam as ligaduras e injeção de veículo ou Parstatin nos períodos de 7 e 14 dias para observar a ação da inibição deste receptor nos períodos de indução de inflamação e reparo. Após estes períodos, os animais foram sacrificados e tiveram as maxilas removidas, dissecadas e divididas ao meio para avaliação histológica e radiográfica a fim de caracterizar infiltrado de células inflamatórias e perda óssea ao redor dos dentes.

PAR¹ cell signaling has been shown to be involved in several pathophysiological responses including platelet activation, tumor growth, inflammation and metastasis. Based on this, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of Parstatin, a drug that presents a biological effect opposed to that of PAR¹ receptor activation, on inflammation induction and repair processes. Rats were subjected to cotton ligature-induced periodontitis bilaterally on the second upper molar teeth. Seventy-two rats were randomly assigned to 9 groups (n=8/group) and received ligatures and injection of vehicle or Parstatin for 7 or 14 days for both inflammation and repair induction. After that, the animals were sacrificed and their maxilla removed, dissected and divided in two for histologic and radiographic evaluation to characterize inflammatory cell infiltrate and bone loss around teeth.

High expression of thrombin receptor PAR1 in peritumoral liver tissue is associated with poor survival after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma in early stage / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the relationship between PAR1 (Protease-Activated Receptor 1) expression and the clinicopathologic features and to investigate the prognostic value of PAR1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in early stage after curative resection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Real-time PCR was used to detect PAR1 expression in 41 pairs of tumors and matched peritumoral samples of HCC in early stage. Prognostic value of PAR1 mRNA expression was evaluated. Meanwhile, another 49 tissue paraffin slices of HCC were tested using immunohistochemistry (Envision) and the prognostic value of PAR1 expression and other clinicopathologic factors were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Peritumoral PAR1 mRNA expression was significantly increased in HCCs from the patients with tumor recurrence as compared with those without recurrence (P < 0.05). Peritumoral PAR1 protein expression was related to tumor differentiation (P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that Peritumoral PAR1 protein expression was associated with the overall survival (OS) (P < 0.05) of HCC patients and the time to recurrence (TTR) (P < 0.05). The 1, 3 and 5 -year overall survival time and the cumulative recurrence time in the high PAR1 protein expression group were significantly lower as compared to the low PAR1 expression group in the peritumoral liver tissue.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Peritumoral PAR1 expression is closely associated with the prognosis of early stage HCC patients after curable surgery. PAR1 may be involved in thrombin-mediated invasion process and may be used as a prognostic marker for HCC.</p>

Increased expression of tissue factor and protease-activated receptor-1 does not correlate with thrombosis in human lung adenocarcinoma

A correlation between cancer and hypercoagulability has been described for more than a century. Patients with cancer are at increased risk for thrombotic complications and the clotting initiator protein, tissue factor (TF), is possibly involved in this process. Moreover, TF may promote angiogenesis and tumor growth. In addition to TF, thrombin seems to play a relevant role in tumor biology, mainly through activation of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1). In the present study, we prospectively studied 39 lung adenocarcinoma patients in relation to the tumor expression levels of TF and PAR-1 and their correlation with thrombosis outcome and survival. Immunohistochemical analysis showed TF positivity in 22 patients (56 percent), most of them in advanced stages (III and IV). Expression of PAR-1 was found in 15 patients (39 percent), most of them also in advanced stages (III and IV). Remarkably, no correlation was observed between the expression of TF or PAR-1 and risk for thrombosis development. On the other hand, patients who were positive for TF or PAR-1 tended to have decreased long-term survival. We conclude that immunolocalization of either TF or PAR-1 in lung adenocarcinoma may predict a poor prognosis although lacking correlation with thrombosis outcome.

PAR-1 regulation of intracellular Ca²(+) mobilization in pulmonary giant cell carcinoma cell line PLA801D/PLA801C / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To investigate molecular mechanisms of PAR-1 regulation on intracellular Ca²(+) mobilization in lung giant cell carcinoma cells in vitro and its involvement in tumor metastasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Free intracellular Ca²(+) ([Ca²(+)]i) was measured in lung giant cell carcinoma PLA801C and PLA801D cells by confocal microscopy. Sense and anti-sense PAR-1 expression vectors were transfected into PLA801C (C+)and PLA801D(D-) cells, respectively. The effects of PAR-1 expression were investigated by thrombin and TRAP-induced mobilization of [Ca²(+)]i in the C+ and D-cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were significant differences of the mean values of [Ca²(+)]i between PLA801D (59.55) and PLA801C cells (35.46, P < 0.01). The mean [Ca²(+)]i of C+ cells (45.77) was significantly higher than that of its control CV cells (35.46, P < 0.05), and the mean [Ca²(+)]i of D-cells (48.42) was significantly lower than that of its control DV cells (59.55, P < 0.05). The peaks of [Ca²(+)]i of C+ and CV cells were 48.19 ± 9.84 and 45.64 ± 9.87 (P < 0.05) respectively at 80 s and 100 s after thrombin treatment, but were 111.31 ± 25.00 and 52.93 ± 11.21 (P < 0.05) respectively at 60 s after TRAP treatment. The peaks of [Ca²(+)]i of D- and DV cells were 40.71 ± 5.89 and 61.07 ± 21.36 (P < 0.05) respectively at 60 s after thrombin treatment, but were 84.98 ± 11.23 and 102.58 ± 21.48 (P < 0.05) respectively at 40 s after TRAP treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The high metastatic potential of PLA801D and PLA801C may be related to [Ca²(+)]i of the tumor cells. PAR-1 may play an important role in the metastasis of lung giant cell carcinoma cells by up-regulating the intracellular Ca²(+).</p>

Effect of baicalin on protease-activated receptor-1 expression and cell apoptosis in brain of rat with intracerebral hemorrhage / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of baicalin on nerve tissue in rat with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rats were randomly divided into five groups: the sham-operated group, the ICH model group, and the three baicalin treated groups treated respectively with small, medium and large doses of baicalin. ICH rat model was established by injecting collagenase VII into caudate nucleus. Baicalin was given by peritoneal injection to the baicalin treated groups, and saline was given to the other two groups once a day started from 2 h after modeling. Animals were sacrificed in batches on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 10th day of treatment to take their brains for detecting protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) expression and cell apoptosis in brain tissue surrounding hematoma by Western blot and TUNEL method, respectively. And the water content of brain was estimated by dry-wet weight method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the model group, the PAR-1 expression and TUNEL-positive cells were significantly reduced in the baicalin treated groups; and brain edema was also significantly reduced (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The up-regulated PAR-1 expression after ICH in rats might play an important role in inducing cell apoptosis and brain edema. Baicalin shows significant protective effect on ICH rats, which may be related to its effects in inhibiting PAR-1 expression and decreasing apoptosis cells, so as to reduce brain edema.</p>

Expression of thrombin and its associated protein in cerebellum of human and rat after intracerebral hemorrhage / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) can cause brain damage through a number of pathways. The purpose of the study was to explore the effect of thrombin, protease nexin-1 (PN-1) and protease activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) in rat and human cerebellum after ICH.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A model of ICH was produced in adult Sprague-Dawley rats by direct injection of autologous blood (50 microl) into caudate nucleus. Patients with injured hemorrhage were also enrolled in this study. Different expressions of thrombin, PAR-1, PN-1 were detected in rat and human cerebellum by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In rat cerebellum, thrombin protein significantly increased at 6 hours and reached the maximum 2 days after ICH. The expression of PAR-1 protein reached the maximum at 24 - 48 hours, and then began to decrease. The expression of PN-1 protein reached the maximum at 3 hours, decreased somewhat after that and increased a little at 5 days after ICH. While in human cerebellum, the changing tendency of thrombin, PAR-1 and PN-1 was almost conform to the rat.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In cerebellum, thrombin can activate PAR-1 expression after ICH, and PN-1 appears quickly after ICH in order to control the deleterious effect of thrombin.</p>

Análise da expressão gênica de proteínas associadas à coagulação sanguínea na neoplasia maligna de esôfago / Analysis of gene expression of proteins associated with blood coagulation in malignant esophageal neoplasm

Estudos recentes indicam que o fator tecidual (TF) participa no crescimento tumoral, metástase e angiogênese através de uma via independente da coagulação sanguínea. A superexpressão do TF em células tumorais contribui para o estado pró-trombótico em pacientes com câncer. Adicionalmente, uma família de receptores acoplados à proteína G, conhecidos como receptores ativados por proteases (PARs), tem sido associada à biologia do tumor. Estes receptores podem ser ativados por proteases da coagulação como a trombina, o fator VIIa (FVIIa) e o fator FXa (FXa), mediando assim a sinalização celular e podendo levar a um aumento da expressão de IL-8 em vários tipos celulares. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a expressão do RNAm de TF, PAR-1, PAR-2 e IL-8 em pacientes com câncer de esôfago. Amostras de tecidos foram obtidas de 35 pacientes submetidos a esofagectomia ou endoscopia em 3 hospitais das regiões Sul e Sudeste do Brasil: Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto (HUPE-UERJ), na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Hospital de Clínicas (HCPA-UFRGS), na cidade de Porto Alegre - Rio Grande do Sul e o Hospital de Clínicas - Gastrocentro (HC-UNICAMP), na cidade de Campinas - São Paulo. Amostras de tecido esofágico tumoral e da mucosa normal adjacente ao tumor, foram obtidas de cada paciente e o diagnóstico foi confirmado através da análise histopatológica do tecido adjacente. O RNA total foi então extraído e analisado por transcrição reversa e reação em cadeia da polimerase (RT-PCR) e por PCR em tempo real (qPCR). Nossos resultados demonstraram um aumento significativo, nas amostras tumorais quando comparadas as amostras normais, da expressão de TF (4,2 +- 5,3, SE=0,9), PAR-1 (6,1 +- 4,7, SE=0,9) e IL-8 (18,2 +- 14,4, SE=3,9), o mesmo porém não foi encontrado para o PAR-2 (1,6 +- 0,8, SE=0,2). Nossos dados sugerem que TF, PAR-1 e IL-8 podem ter um importante papel na biologia dos tumores de esôfago. Na busca por esclarecimentos de como as proteínas analisadas...

A number of studies indicate that Tissue Factor (TF) might participate in tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis through a pathway that is independet of blood coagulation. TF overexpression by tumor cells contributes to a pro-thrombotic status in cancer patients. Also, a family of G protein-coupled receptors known as protease-activated receptors (PARs) has been implicated in tumor biology. These receptors may be activated by blood coagulation proteases including thrombin, FVIIa and FXa, thus eliciting cell signalling which might lead to interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression by a variety of cells. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of TF, PAR-1, PAR-2 and IL-8 mRNAs in patients with esophageal cancer. Tissue samples were obtained from 35 patients submitted to esophagectomy or endoscopy in three hospitals from south and southeast regions of Brazil: Hospital Universitário Pedro Esnesto (HUPE-UERJ), located at Rio de Janeiro, Hospital de Clínicas (HCPA-UFRGS), located at Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, and Hospital de Clínicas - Gastrocentro (HC-UNICAMP), located at Campinas, São Paulo. Tumor samples and the corresponding normal mucosa were obtained from each patient and the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological analysis of adjacent tissues. Total RNA was extracted and further analyzed by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR and Real Time PCR. Our results showed a significant increased expression of TF (4,2 +- 5,3, SE=0,9), PAR-1 (6,1 +- 4,7, SE=0,9) and IL-8 (18,2 +- 14,4, SE=3,9) in tumor samples, but not of PAR-2 (1,6 +- 0,8, SE=0,2). Our data indicate that TF, PAR-1 and IL-8 might play an important role in esophageal cancer. To analyze the role of this proteins in oesophageal cancer patients, we used "in vitro" models with TE-1 cell line. Our results demonstrated that TE-1 cells express TF, PAR-1 and PAR-2 and display potent procoagulant activity. In this context, we will further investigate whether the activation of PAR receptors induces...

Dynamic and long-lasting expression of thrombin receptor-1 after intracerebral hemorrhage in rats / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the dynamic and long-lasting expression of thrombin receptor after acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>36 rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 6): Normal group and ICH model groups at 6 hours, 24 hours, 3 days, 7 days and 14 days. ICH models were produced with the induction of collagenase type VII-S. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect PAR-1 protein and RT-PCR technique was used to detect PAR-1mRNA in brain tissue around the haematoma in different groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PAR-1 protein and mRNA were mild positive in normal group. In model groups, intensity of PAR-1 expression started to enhance at 6 hours, and enhanced more at 24 hours. PAR-1 expression reached the peak at 3 days and began to descend. At 7 days the descent was obvious and there was further descent at 14 days. At each time point, the PAR-1 protein positive cell number and PAR-1mRNA absorbance ratio in ICH model groups were significantly higher than those in normal group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In addition, PAR-1 proteins were obviously expressed in vivo in brain capillary endothelial cell.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Functional PAR-1 exists in brain capillary endothelial cells. Activation of PAR-1 after ICH due to the stimulation of thrombin is not only the initiating agent of cerebral edema after ICH, but also participates the development of cerebral edema.</p>

Protective effect of Noningkang Granule on brain in intracerebral hemorrhagic rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Naoningkang Granule (NG), a Chinese medicinal preparation formulated for clearing heat and detoxication, on brain tissue in intracerebral hemorrhagic (ICH) rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: the sham operated group, the model group and the high-, medium- and low-dose NG groups. Collagenase VII was injected into caudate nucleus to induce rat model of ICH, corresponding dosage of NG was started to give to the 3 NG groups by gastrogavage 2 h after modeling, and saline of equal volume was given to the other 2 groups instead. The brain tissue of rats was taken in batches at the 3rd and 7th day for pathomorphological observation using HE stain, and detection of thrombin receptor-1 (PAR-1) expression and nerve cell apoptosis in the peripheral tissue of hemorrhagic brain with immunohistochemistry and TUNEL assay, as well as for measurement of water content in brain tissue by wet-to-dry weight method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PAR-1 expression elevated in the model rats. As compared with the model group, the pathomorphological changes significantly improved, PAR-1 expression decreased, apoptotic cells re-duced and brain edema alleviated in the 3 NG groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Overexpression of PAR-1 in the brain tissue might mediate the nerve cell apoptosis and brain edema in ICH rats. The mechanism of NG in protecting hemor-rhagic brain tissue might be related with its actions in inhibiting the post-cerebral high PAR-1 expression to re-duce cell apoptosis and relieve brain edema.</p>

Functional aspects of protease-activated receptor 1 in promoting metastasis of lung cancer / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the functional aspects of protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) gene involved in tumor metastasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two human lung giant cell carcinoma cell lines PLA801C (low metastasis potential) and PLA801D (high metastasis potential) were chosen as in-vitro human cancer model systems. Sense and anti-sense expression constructs of PAR-1 gene (pC/PAR1s and pC/PAR1as) were transfected into PLA-801C and PLA-801D cells by lipofection. PAR-1 expression was determined by RT-PCR and western blot analysis. MTT growth, flow cytometry analysis, fibronectin adhesion, and matrigel invasion assays were used to study the effect of PAR-1 expression on the proliferation, adhesion, and invasion of the transfected cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Appropriate up-regulation or down-regulation of protein expression of PAR-1 was observed in both transfected cell lines (PLA801C and PLA801D) to express PAR-1s or PAR-1as, respectively. Expression of the sense PAR-1 markedly increased cellular proliferation, adhesion and invasion of PLA-801C cells. In contrast, anti-sense PAR-1 significantly inhibited cell growth, adhesion and invasion capabilities, along with cell arrest at G0/G1 phase of the PLA-801D cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Successful up- and down- regulation of expression of PAR-1 can be achieved by in-vitro transfection of sense and antisense PAR-1 constructs. PAR-1 may enhance metastasis of lung cancer through its regulation of cellular proliferation, adhesion and invasion. Down-regulation of expression of PAR-1 may provide a new therapeutic strategy against lung carcinoma.</p>

Influence of Naomai II capsule on dynamic expression of protease-activated receptors-1 after acute intracerebral hemorrhage / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the dynamic expression of protease-activated receptor-1(PAR-1) after acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and the influence of Naomai capsule (NMC II) on the expression in rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>72 rats were randomly divided into 9 groups (n = 8 in each group). They were normal group, ICH model groups at 6, 24 h, 3, 7 d and NMC II groups at 6, 24 h, 3, 7 d. ICH models were induced by collagenase type VII-S. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect PAR-1 protein and RT-PCR technique was used to detect PAR-1mRNA in brain tissue around the haematoma at different groups.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>PAR-1 protein and mRNA were mild positive in normal group. In model groups, intensity of PAR-1 expression started to enhance at 6 h, and enhanced more at 24 h. PAR-1 expression reached the peak at 3 d and began to descend. At 7 d the decent was obvious. At 6, 24 h, 3, 7 d time point. The PAR-1 protein positive cell number and PAR-1 mRNA absorbance ratio in ICH model and NMC II groups were significantly higher than those in normal group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The PAR-1 protein positive cell number and PAR-1mRNA absorbance ratio in NMC II group were significantly lower than those in ICH model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>After ICH, PAR-1 is continuously activated because of the simulation of thrombin. Function of thrombin after ICH maybe mediated by PAR-1; NMC II may inhibit the expression of PAR-1. This may be one of the main therapeutics mechanisms of NMC II.</p>

Expression of PAR-1 in human lung carcinoma and its relationship with tumor metastatic potential / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the correlation between expression of PAR-1 and metastasis of human lung carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Expression levels of PAR-1 were examined in surgically resected lung carcinoma specimens and corresponding lymph nodes by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, combined with morphometric methodology and clinicopathologic profiles.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Strong PAR-1 staining was detected in the periphery of carcinoma nests, adenocarcinomatous emboli, foci of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia adjacent to the adenocarcinoma and atypical proliferation of duct epithelium of bronchial mucous glands. The expression rates of PAR-1 were 73.8% (59/80) and 63.9% (23/36) by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR respectively. The percentage of PAR-1 protein expression cells was significantly higher in tumors with metastasis (85.7%, 48/56) than those without (45.8%, 11/24). Morphometric study demonstrated that there were significant differences of PAR-1 protein expression levels between tumors with metastatic and those without, primary and metastatic carcinomas, primary carcinomas and benign lung tissues adjacent to the carcinoma. No significant correlation was found between PAR-1 expression level and tumor size, histological types and tumor grades. The positive rate of PAR-1 mRNA expression in the metastatic group was significantly higher than that of the non-metastatic group (78.3%, 18/23 v.s. 38.5%, 5/13).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PAR-1 expression may play an important role in determining the malignant phenotypes of lung cancers and significantly contribute to their initiation, progression and metastasis.</p>