Effect of decoction of Fuzheng Jiedu Xiaoji formula plus chemoembolization on primary liver cancer in patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the decoction of Fuzheng Jiedu Xiaoji formula (, FJXF) plus chemoembolization (TACE) on primary liver cancer (PLC) in patients, and study the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Patients with PLC who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into case group and control group. The case group was treated with FJXF combined with TACE. The control group was treated with TACE alone. The short-term clinical effect was evaluated; liver biochemistry, liver function index and multidrug resistance-associated indicators were detected. RESULTS: FJXF combined with TACE in the case group significantly increased the disease control rate than TACE alone in the control group (83.3% 61.1%). There was a reduction in the serum alpha-fetoprotein at 8 weeks after treatment in each group, while no difference between the two groups. The same trend can be observed for transaminase and direct bilirubin in both groups. In the case group, it showed a significant increase for albumin at 8 weeks after treatment, while no change in the control group. Multidrug resistance-associated indicators for multidrug resistance protein 1 and p-glycoprotein were upregulated in the case group but remained stable in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: FJXF combined TACE had a better short-term effect than TACE alone in patients with PLC. The potential mechanism was probably associated with alleviated multidrug resistance induced by FJXF. Additionally, FJXF didn't increase the risk of liver damage in the combined therapy.

Effect of anti-liver fibrosis Chinese patent drugs in preventing renal hypofunction associated with alcoholic liver disease / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of anti-liver fibrosis Chinese patent drugs on renal hypofunction associated with alcoholic liver disease (ALD). MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 592 patients with ALD who were admitted to Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from August 1, 2008 to March 1, 2016, and according to whether they were treated with Fuzheng Huayu capsules, Anluo Huaxian pills, or Fufang Biejia Ruangan tablets for ≥180 cumulative defined daily doses, they were divided into Chinese medicine group and control group. After propensity score matching at a ratio of 1∶1, two groups were obtained with 187 patients in each group. Related data were recorded, including medical history, drinking amount, routine blood test results, liver and renal function, coagulation, and abdominal imaging findings. The t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups; the Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the cumulative incidence rate of renal hypofunction between two groups. ResultsThere were no significant differences between the two groups in age, drinking amount, proportion of patients with hypertension or diabetes, baseline aspartate aminotransferase, estimated glomerular filtration rate, uric acid, and prothrombin time, and the patients were followed up for 36 months (range 23-54 months). Uric acid (hazard ratio ［HR］=1.003, 95% confidence interval ［CI］: 1001-1.005, P=0.001), prothrombin time (HR=1.103, 95%CI: 1.034-1.177, P=0.003), and red cell volume distribution width (HR=1.024, 95%CI: 1.011-1.038, P＜0.001) were independent risk factors for renal hypofunction in patients with ALD, and anti-liver fibrosis Chinese patent drug was an independent protective factor against renal hypofunction (HR=0.170, 95%CI: 0.053-0552, P=0.003). The Chinese medicine group had a significantly lower incidence rate of renal hypofunction than the control group (166% vs 32.1%, χ2=10.263, P=0.001). The subgroup analysis of the patients in the Chinese medicine group showed that Chinese medicine treatment for ＞24 months had the best effect (HR=0.210, 95%CI: 0.084-0.525, P=0.001). Compared with the control group, the Chinese medicine group had a significantly longer time to the onset of renal hypofunction (36 months vs 24 months, Z=-2.652, P=0.008). ConclusionAnti-liver fibrosis Chinese patent drugs can reduce the incidence rate and delay the onset of renal hypofunction in patients with ALD.

Characterization and immunoprotective effect of SjIrV1, a 66 kDa calcium-binding protein from Schistosoma japonicum / 生物工程学报

Calcium-binding protein is an indispensable protein which performs extensive and important functions in the growth of Schistosoma japonicum. Based on our primary study on tegument surface proteins of S. japonicun, a cDNA encoding a 66 kDa calcium-binding protein of S. japonicum (Chinese strain) was cloned, sequence analysis revealed that it was identical with that of SjIrV1 of Philippines strains S. japonicum. The expression of SjIrV1 were detected by Real-time PCR, using cDNA templates isolated from 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days worms and the results revealed that the gene was expressed in all investigated stages, and the mRNA level of SjIrV1 is much higher in 42 d female worms than that in 42 d male worms. The cDNA containing the open reading frame of IrV1 was subcloned into a pET28a (+) vector and transformed into competent Escherichia coli BL21 for expression. The recombinant protein was purified using a Ni-NTA purification system, and confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Western blotting analysis showed that recombinant SjIrV1 (rSjIrV1) could be recognized by the S. japonicum infected mouse serum and the mouse serum specific to rSjIrV1, respectively. Immunofluorescence observation exhibited that SjIrV1 was mainly distributed on the tegument of the 35-day adult worms. ELISA test revealed that IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies are significantly increased in the serum of rSjIrV1 vaccinated mice. The study suggested that rSjIrV1 might play an important role in the development of S. japonicum.