Effect of hesperidin on TGF-beta1/Smad signaling pathway in HSC / 中国中药杂志

Liver fibrosis is a common pathological process for chronic liver injury caused by multiple etiological factors and an inevitable phase leading to liver cirrhosis. According to the previous studies, hesperidin (HDN) shows a very good protective effect on CCl4-induced chemical hepatic fibrosis in rats. In this experiment, based on the findings of the previous studies, a platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced HSC-T6 model was established to observe the inhibitory effect of HDN on HSC-T6 proliferation. The ELISA method was adopted to detect the content of collagen I in HSC-T6 supernatant. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, Smad2, Smad3, Smad7 and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA expressions were measured by RT-PCR; TGF-beta1 and CT-GF protein expressions in HSC-T6 were determined by Western blot, in order to study HDN's effect on TGF-beta1 signaling pathway in HSC and its potential action mechanism. The results demonstrated that HDN could notably improve HSC-T6 proliferation, Collagen I growth and TGF-beta1, Smad2, Smad3 and CTGF mRNA.expressions. After being intervened with HDN, it could notably inhibit HSC-T6 proliferation and Collagen I growth, reduce TGF-beta1, Smad2, Smad3 and CTGF mRNA and TGF-beta1, CTGF protein expressions and increase Smad7 mRNA expression. HDN's antihepatic fibrosis effect may be related to the inhibition of HSC proliferation and activation by modulating TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway.

Tranilast attenuates TGF-beta1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the NRK-52E cells

We previously reported that tranilast can halt the pathogenesis of chronic cyclosporine nephrotoxicity in rats via the transforming growth factor-beta [TGF-beta] /Smad pathway, an important signaling system involved in epithelialmesenchymal transition [EMT], but the exact underlying cellular mechanisms are not yet clear. Thus, by selecting [0]TGF-beta1-induced normal rat kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells [NRK-52E] as a model, we demonstrated potential modifying effect of tranilast on EMT-induced by TGF-beta1 in vitro. NRK-52E cells were incubated with the blank vehicle [Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium and F-12 [DMEM/F12] added with 10% fetal bovine serum [FBS]], 10 ng/ml TGF-beta1 alone or together with 100, 200 or 400microM tranilast for 48 h after incubation in medium containing 1% FBS for 24 h. Cell morphological changes were observed to confirm occurrence of EMT. Protein expressions of two typical markers of EMT, E-cadherin and alpha-smooth muscle actin [alpha-SMA], were assessed by western blotting and flow cytometry, respectively. Our results showed that TGF-beta1 induced spindle-like morphological transition, the loss of Ecadherin protein and upregulation of expression of alpha-SMA. However, the TGF-beta1-produced changes in cellular morphology, E-cadherin and alpha-SMA were inversed by tranlilast in concentration-dependent manner. Our findings indicate that tranilast can directly inhibit EMT. Thus, it may be implied that regulation of EMT be the target to prevent renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

Study on the correlation between polymorphisms of genes with susceptibility to tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis in Chinese Han population / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To investigate the distribution of polymorphisms of SLC11A1 gene,VDR gene,MBL gene and IFNG gene with susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB) in Chinese Han population suffering from drug-sensitive TB and drug-resistant TB so as to identify the correlation between gene polymorphisms and the development of drug-resistant TB.Methods Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of VDR gene,SLC11A1 gene,MBL gene,IFNG gene were typed and analyzed by pyrosequencing,Real-time Probe and SNaPshot among 229 patients with drug-sensitive TB and 230 patients with drug-resistant TB.Results The polymorphic foci of VDR gene from the drug-sensitive TB group and the drug-resistant TB group showed no significant difference (P＞0.05).The genotype of INT4 site and allelic frequency of SLC11A1 gene for drug-sensitive TB group were significantly different from those for drug-resistant TB group(P=0.031,0.046).If recessive inheritance was assumed,the genotypes of INT4 site from the two groups were significantly different (0R=5.756,95% CI:1.261-26.269,P=0.011).Considering the relationship between OR values under various combination,our findings confirmed that the genetic mode of INT4 site was in accordance with recessive inheritance.The genotypes of Q/P site and allelic frequencies of MBL gene from drug-sensitive and drug-resistant groups were significantly different (P=0.029,0.033).The difference still existed under the hypothesis of recessive inheritance (OR=9.290,95% CI:1.167-73.949,P=0.011).The polymorphic foci of IFNG gene from the two groups showed no significant difference.Conclusion INT4 sites on SLC11A1 gene and Q/P site on MBL gene were probably associated with the development of drug-resistant TB in Chinese Han population.Further study on this issue would be helpful in locating the population at high risk of drug-resistant TB and exploring the effective intervention to decrease the incidence of this disease.

Analysis on the feasibility in determination of salt iodine content of Sichuan with oxidation-reduction titration / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To investigate the influential factors and the control measures thereof iodine salt detection with oxidation-reduction titration method so as to improve the detection quality.Methods 122 samples were obtained randomly from four counties(districts)of Sichuan Province to determine iodine ions forms.In center for diseases control and prevention(CDC)laboratories at the provincial and county levels,iodine contents in the samples were determined with oxidation-reduction titration and the results were compared between laboratories.The provineial lahoratory also employed bromine water oxidation for method comparison.Also the volume fractions of chlorine available were determined in sodium hypochlorite storage in open or sealed status and of different storage periods of 1,2,4,7,14,30 and 60 days.Results The iodine transformed from 103- to I-during the shipment and storage;The iodine contents in the 122 salt samples determined by the laboratories at the provincial and county levels were respectively(32.40±8.44),(31.10±8.34)mg/kg with a result discrepancy of 1.33 mg/kg.Of all the absolute discrepancy values,18.8%(23/122)were lower than or equal to 1 mg/kg;23.0%(28/122)were equal to or higher than 3 mg/kg;23.0%(28/122)were lower than or equal to 5 mg/kg;26.2%(32/122)were lower than or equal to 10 mg/kg;9.0%(11/122)were higher than 10 mg/kg.After the botdes were opened and stood for 60 days,the available chlorine content in the sodium hypochlorite decreased by 43.6%and 32.5%respectively in open and sealed status,Iodine contents were respectively(32.60±8.44),(32.50±8.18)mg/kg(n=114)with the oxidationreduction titration method and bromine water oxidation method,and no significant difierence was found between the results of the two methods(t=0.282,P＞0.05).Conclusions Potassium iodate in salt in Sichuan is Dmne to transform into potassium iodide during shipping,so when determining salt iodine with the oxidation-reduction titration method,the content and the amount of chlorine available in the sodium hypochlorite differ a lot and are difficult to control.Therefore.bromine water oxidation titration is recommended.

Study on revising the criteria of classification of hazard conditions of productive dust / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To provide scientific basis data for revising the national hygiene criteria of "Classification of hazard conditions of productive dust" (GB5817-86).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data of the retrospective study and the field survey data were analyzed with correlation and regression analysis. The product of total dust concentration of respiratory exposure (mg/m(3)), total ventilation during exposure (m(3)/d per psrson), and level of free SiO(2) in dust (%) was the respiratory exposure dose of free SiO(2) (mg per day per person) which was used as dose criteria value of classification of hazard degree of dust.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Using free SiO(2) exposure dose and the dose-effect relationship, the hazard degrees of the dust were divided into 5 grades: 0, I, II, III, IV (0 - 8.0, 8.1 - 12.0, 12.1 - 16.0, > 24.1 mg per day per person).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The exposure dose of free SiO(2) is closely related to the pathogenesis of silicosis. Using the exposure dose of free SiO(2) as the classification indicator of hazard degree of dust is reliable, simple and easy to execute.</p>