Regulating the immune response to carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in mice by blocking inducible co-stimulatory molecules and interleukin-33 / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To investigate the effects of combined blockade of interleukin-33 (IL-33) and inducible co-stimulatory molecule (ICOS) on carbon tetrachloride-induced chronic liver fibrosis and imbalance of T helper lymphocyte subsets in mice. Methods: There were 40 BALB/c mice in each model and control group. Flow cytometry was used to determine the proportion of Th1/Th2/Th17 cells in the splenic lymphocyte suspension of mice, the expression levels of interferon γ, IL-4, and IL-17 in the splenic lymphocyte suspension of liver fibrosis mice after combined blockade of IL-33 and ICOS, and the pathological changes of liver histopathology in mice with liver fibrosis. Two independent sample t-test was used to compare data between groups. Results: Compared with the non-blocking group, the proportion of Th2 and Th17 cells in the IL-33/ICOS blocking group was significantly down-regulated (Th2: 65.96% ± 6.04% vs. 49.09% ± 7.03%; Th17: 19.17% ± 4.03% vs. 9.56% ± 2.03%), while the proportion of Th1 cells and Th1/Th2 ratio were up-regulated (Th1: 17.14% ± 3.02% vs. 31.93% ± 5.02%; Th1/Th2: 0.28 ± 0.06 vs. 0.62 ± 0.23), and the difference was statistically significant (t = 5.15, 6.03, 7.14, 4.28, respectively, with P < 0.05). After entering the chronic inflammation stage of liver fibrosis in mice (10 weeks), compared with the non-blocking group, the expression levels of IL-4 and IL-17 in the blockade group were significantly down-regulated [IL-4: (84.75 ± 14.35) pg/ ml vs. (77.88 ± 19.61) pg/ml; IL-17: (72.38 ± 15.13) pg/ml vs. (36.38 ± 8.65) pg/ml], while the expression of interferon γ was up-regulated [(37.25 ± 11.51) pg/ml vs. (77.88 ± 19.61) pg/ml], and the difference was statistically significant (t: IL-4: 4.71; IL-17: 5.84; interferon γ: 5.05, respectively, with P < 0.05). Liver histopathological results showed that hepatic necrosis, hepatic lobular structural disorder, and fibrous tissue hyperplasia were significantly lower in the blockade group than those in the non-blocking group at 13 weeks of liver fibrosis. Conclusion: Combined blockade of the ICOS signaling pathway and IL-33 can regulate Th2 and Th17 polarization, down-regulate the inflammatory response, and inhibit or prevent the occurrence and progression of fibrosis.

Correlation of genes expression on MyD 88-dependent signaling pathway in progression of knee osteoarthritis / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate expression features and correlation of genes expression on MyD88-dependent signaling pathway in synovial membrane (SM) of progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, including blank group (N), false surgical group, model groups[2 weeks (2W), 4 weeks (4W), 8 weeks (8W) and 12 weeks (12W)], with 10 rats in each group. The models were established by using Hulth method. Control group was experienced no surgery, while false surgical group was only opened joint cavity and sutured. The SM samples was collected according to the time designed above. The relative expression quantity of MyD88, TLR4 and NF-κB was detected by Real-time PCR after the extraction of the total RNA and reverse transcription. The correlation analysis was obtained by SPSS.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference in each gene mRNA expression between false surgical and blank group(> 0.05), while enhanced expression was found in the model groups(<0.05). The correlation index among MyD88, TLR4 and NF-κB was 0.91 and 0.86 respectively, and had significant difference among them.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Positively relative among MyD88, TLR4 and NF-κB played main role in TLR4/NF-κB signal passway, and could predicate the expression of other genes in the passway. It also could further provide the basis for clarify the pathologic mechanism of knee OA.</p>

Study on the clinical effect of the massage method of micro-regulating with vertical cross pressing lying on one side in treating cervicogenic headache / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical effects of the massage method of micro-regulating with vertical cross pressing lying on one side in treating cervicogenic headache (CEH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total 136 patients with CEH were collected in the study from August 2012 to April 2014. They were divided randomly into two groups according to random digits table. Sixty-nine patients accepted the treatment of micro-regulating with vertical cross pressing lying on one side (pressing micro-regulating group), including 29 males and 40 females with an average age of (50.55 ± 11.38) years old; 67 patients received the treatment of traditional massage (traditional massage group), including 28 males and 39 females with an average age of (51.20 ± 11.90) years old. Clinical effect was observed according to the standard of curative effect of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine; the function of cervical vertebra and all body status were evaluated according to NDI score. VAS score, frequency and time of headache were recorded and compared before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No adverse reactions were found after treatment, all patients were followed up from 1 to 6 months with an average of 3.1 months. In pressing micro-regulating group, 25 cases got fully recover, 26 excellence, 14 effectiveness and 4 inefficiency; and in traditional massage group, the results were 12,21,22, 12;clinical effect of pressing micro-regulating group was better than that of traditional massage group (P<0.01). NDI score in pressing micro-regulating group decreased from preoperative 13.48 ± 4.83 to postoperative 6.23 ± 3.76; in traditional massage group also decreased from preoperative 13.82 ± 5.78 to postoperative 8.25 ± 4.75; the improvement of the pressing micro-regulating group was obviously better than that of traditional massage group (P < 0.01). VAS score in pressing micro-regulating group decreased from preoperative 4.75 ± 0.97 to postoperative 1.88 ± 1.78; and in traditional massage group decreased from pre-operative 4.78 ± 0.98 to postoperative 2.84 ± 1.94; pressing micro-regulating group was more notable than that of traditional massage group (P < 0.01). The frequency per week,the pain time in pressing micro-regulating group decreased from preoperative (5.38 ± 1.96) times and (6.87 ± 3.67) hours to postoperative (1.71 ± 2.04) times and (0.97 ± 1.74) hours,respectively,in traditional massage group the above parameters decreased from preoperative (5.22 ± 1.81) times and (6.90 ± 3.79) hours to postoperative (2.81 ± 2.42) times and (1.83 ± 2.21) hours;pressing micr-regulating group was more notable than that of traditional massage group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Using the tuina method of micro-regulating with vertical cross pressing lying on one side to treat CEH can improve function of cervical vertebra and all body status, lessen the intensity, frequency, duration time of pain, and had advantage of higher security, simple operation, and evident effect.</p>