Appraising causal risk and protective factors for rheumatoid arthritis.

Aims: Mendelian randomization (MR) is considered to overcome the bias of observational studies, but there is no current meta-analysis of MR studies on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The purpose of this study was to summarize the relationship between potential pathogenic factors and RA risk based on existing MR studies. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched for MR studies on influencing factors in relation to RA up to October 2022. Meta-analyses of MR studies assessing correlations between various potential pathogenic factors and RA were conducted. Random-effect and fixed-effect models were used to synthesize the odds ratios of various pathogenic factors and RA. The quality of the study was assessed using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology using Mendelian Randomization (STROBE-MR) guidelines. Results: A total of 517 potentially relevant articles were screened, 35 studies were included in the systematic review, and 19 studies were eligible to be included in the meta-analysis. Pooled estimates of 19 included studies (causality between 15 different risk factors and RA) revealed that obesity, smoking, coffee intake, lower education attainment, and Graves' disease (GD) were related to the increased risk of RA. In contrast, the causality contribution from serum mineral levels (calcium, iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, selenium), alcohol intake, and chronic periodontitis to RA is not significant. Conclusion: Obesity, smoking, education attainment, and GD have real causal effects on the occurrence and development of RA. These results may provide insights into the genetic susceptibility and potential biological pathways of RA.

[Effects of Banxia Xiexin Decoction Containing Serum on Proliferation, Invasion and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis Cell Line GC9811-P].

Objective To observe the effects of Banxia Xiexin Decoction (BXD) containing ser- um on proliferation, invasion and metastasis of in vitro human gastric cancer peritoneum cell strain GC9811-P (which has high metastatic potential). Methods BXD containing serum was prepared. GC9811-P cells were inoculated in the E-Plate 96 and CIM Plate 16, and then 0, 25, 50, 100 µL/mL BXD containing serums were added respectively. Meanwhile, GC9811-P cells were stained by Diff-Quik stai- ning method. Inhibition of BXD containing serum on cell index (CI) for proliferation of GC9811-P cells, invasion and metastasis were observed by real time cellular analysis (RTCA) and Diff-Quik staining method. Results BXD containing serum could obviously inhibit the proliferation of GC9811-P cells. The Cl approximated to 0 after 70 h. Most stained Diff-Quik cells died. Cell migration curve showed that 25, 50, 100 µL/mL BXD containing serums could obviously inhibit the capacities for cell migration of GC9811-P cells in concentration dependent manner. The number of migration cells was reduced more obviously, as com- pared with 0 µL/mL BXD containing serum (P <0. 05). Conclusion BXD containing serums could inhibit the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of GC9811-P cells, which might be associated with blocking peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer.

[Effects of Baicalin on an orthotopic transplantation mouse model of mismatch repair gene deficient colorectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To study the anticancer effects of Baicalin on an orthotopic transplantation mouse model of mismatch repair gene deficient colorectal cancer. METHODS: Sixty orthotopic transplantation mice model of human colon cancer cell line HCT-116 expressing eGFP were established, which were divided randomly into negative controlled group (5% NaHCO3) and 50, 100, 200 mg/kg Baicalin groups. The nude mice were treated with intragastric infusion twice a day. Nude mice growth state, average weigh, inhibition rate of transplanted tumor, tumor metastasis and survival state were observed. RESULTS: At 14, 21 and 28 days after treatment with different dose of Baicalin, tumor growth velocity was significantly slower in the treatment groups, and tumor volume was significantly smaller than the controlled group (there were (832 ± 637), (2012 ± 1566) and (2494 ± 1557) mm(3) respectively in 14, 21 and 28 days) (F = 4.433, P < 0.05). At the end point of study, survival state of 100 mg/kg group (13/15) was superior to controlled group (8/15) and 200 mg/kg group (8/15) (χ(2) = 4.665 and 3.980, P < 0.05).However, there were no significant differences in tumor metastasis and tumor surface vessel density. CONCLUSIONS: Baicalin has statistically significant effects in inhibiting tumor growth in an orthotopic transplantation mouse model of mismatch repair gene deficient colorectal cancer, and 100 mg/kg may be an ideal treatment dose.