BACKGROUND Chronic biliary obstruction results in ischemia and hypoxia of hepatocytes,and leads to apoptosis.Apoptosis is very important in regulating the homeostasis of the hepatobiliary system.Endoplasmic reticulum(...BACKGROUND Chronic biliary obstruction results in ischemia and hypoxia of hepatocytes,and leads to apoptosis.Apoptosis is very important in regulating the homeostasis of the hepatobiliary system.Endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress is one of the signaling pathways that induce apoptosis.Moreover,the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)-induced apoptotic pathway is the main way;but its role in liver injury remains unclear.Yinchenhao decoction(YCHD)is a traditional Chinese medicine formula that alleviates liver injury and apoptosis,yet its mechanism is unknown.We undertook this study to investigate the effects of YCHD on the expression of ER stress proteins and hepatocyte apoptosis in rats with obstructive jaundice(OJ).AIM To investigate whether YCHD can attenuate OJ-induced liver injury and hepatocyte apoptosis by inhibiting the PERK-CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein(CHOP)-growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible protein 34(GADD34)pathway and B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 related X protein(Bax)/B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2(Bcl-2)ratio.METHODS For in vivo experiments,30 rats were divided into three groups:control group,OJ model group,and YCHD-treated group.Blood was collected to detect the indicators of liver function,and liver tissues were used for histological analysis.For in vitro experiments,30 rats were divided into three groups:G1,G2,and G3.The rats in group G1 had their bile duct exposed without ligation,the rats in group G2 underwent total bile duct ligation,and the rats in group G3 were given a gavage of YCHD.According to the serum pharmacology,serum was extracted and centrifuged from the rat blood to cultivate the BRL-3A cells.Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end-labelling(TUNEL)assay was used to detect BRL-3A hepatocyte apoptosis.Alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate transaminase(AST)levels in the medium were detected.Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)analyses were used to detect protein and gene expression levels of PERK,CHOP,GADD34,Bax,and Bcl-2 in the liver tissues and BRL-3A cells.RESULTS Biochemical assays and haematoxylin and eosin staining suggested severe liver function injury and liver tissue structure damage in the OJ model group.The TUNEL assay showed that massive BRL-3A rat hepatocyte apoptosis was induced by OJ.Elevated ALT and AST levels in the medium also demonstrated that hepatocytes could be destroyed by OJ.Western blot or qRT-PCR analyses showed that the protein and mRNA expression levels of PERK,CHOP,and GADD34 were significantly increased both in the rat liver tissue and BRL-3A rat hepatocytes by OJ.The Bax and Bcl-2 levels were increased,and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was also increased.When YCHD was used,the PERK,CHOP,GADD34,and Bax levels quickly decreased,while the Bcl-2 levels increased,and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio decreased.CONCLUSION OJ-induced liver injury and hepatocyte apoptosis are associated with the activation of the PERK-CHOP-GADD34 pathway and increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio.YCHD can attenuate these changes.展开更多
Background and aims:Combination therapy is a promising new strategy that has been proposed to increase the efficacy of cancer treatment.We aimed to investigate the anti-cancer activity of rifampicin monotherapy and it...Background and aims:Combination therapy is a promising new strategy that has been proposed to increase the efficacy of cancer treatment.We aimed to investigate the anti-cancer activity of rifampicin monotherapy and its combination with doxorubicin against hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Materials and methods:The in vitro half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)and selectivity index(SI)of the drugs under investigation against HepG2 and human lung fibroblast(WI38)cell lines were determined.For the in vivo experiment,male Sprague-Dawley albino rats were injected with thioacetamide at 200 mg/kg twice a week for 90 days;HCC development was confirmed histopathologically.Following HCC induction,the rats were treated with intraperitoneal doxorubicin,rifampicin,or their combination for 45 or 90 days.After sacrifice,the livers were examined histopathologically.The levels of aminotransferases,albumin,bilirubin,malondialdehyde,superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),total antioxidant capacity(TAC),and nitric oxide were measured by spectrophotometry.Alphafetoprotein,cancer antigen 19-9,tumor necrosis factor-alpha,interleukin-6,Bcl-2-associated X protein,caspase 3,caspase 8,and p53 were estimated using ELISA.Results:In vitro,the combination of doxorubicin and rifampicin showed the highest SI of 3.43.In vivo,among the measured markers,the levels of TAC,CAT,SOD,and p53 decreased(P<0.001)and the rest of the measured marker levels increased(P<0.001)in the HCC-bearing rats;after treatment in all groups,all these changes improved toward normal in a time-dependent manner.The combination of doxorubicin and rifampicin optimized the effects of the two individual drugs and exerted the best antioxidant effects.Conclusions:In general,compared with rifampicin or doxorubicin alone,combination therapy has favorable outcomes.Based on our results,the combination of rifampicin and doxorubicin might be applicable for HCC chemotherapy.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Qiangxin Huoli decoction on rats with chronic heart failure(CHF) induced by adriamycin(ADR), and to investigate the underlying mechanism of this effect.METHODS: Ninety-six healt...OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Qiangxin Huoli decoction on rats with chronic heart failure(CHF) induced by adriamycin(ADR), and to investigate the underlying mechanism of this effect.METHODS: Ninety-six healthy Wistar rats were divided into six groups: control, CHF model, CHF treated by Shenfu injection, and three CHF groups treated with Qiangxin Huoli decoction at high, medium, and low doses, respectively. Qiangxin Huoli decoction was administered orally to protect the stomach in the three Qiangxin Huoli decoction groups, while the control group and the CHF model group were administered the same volume of 0.9% physiological saline, and the Shenfu group wereadministered the same volume of Shenfu injection. Ten days later, the CHF model was then induced in all groups except the control group by intraperitoneal injection of ADR at gradient dose intervals. The bodyweights were recorded on days 10, 20, 30, and 40. Hemodynamic indices were recorded, including left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP), maximum increase in left ventricular pressure(+dp/dt_(max)), maximum decrease in left ventricular pressure(-dp/dt_(max)), heart rate(HR), and electrocardiogram using an eight-channel physiological recorder with LabChart software monitoring. The plasma brain natriuretic peptide(BNP) concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent adsorption. The expressions of B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax) were detected by immunohistochemical methods.RESULTS: The CHF model group were in poor condition, and the mean bodyweight was significantly decreased compared with the control group. Furthermore, compared with the control group, the CHF groups had significantly decreased LVSP, +dp/dt_(max), and-dp/dt_(max), and significantly increased LVEDP. The CHF groups also showed significant increases in HR, S-T segment elevation, and plasma BNP levels compared with the control group. Compared with the CHF model group, the treatment groups had significantly increased Bax expression(P < 0.05) and significantly decreased Bcl-2 expression(P < 0.01), indicating less apoptosis. The high dose Qiangxin Huoli decoction group and the Shenfu group showed the most significant improvements.CONCLUSION: In the rat model of CHF, Qiangxin Huoli decoction significantly reduces the abnormal hemodynamics, improves cardiac function, reduces plasma BNP concentration, regulates the expression of apoptosis proteins, inhibits the apoptosis of myocardial cells, and plays a protective role.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81273952
文摘BACKGROUND Chronic biliary obstruction results in ischemia and hypoxia of hepatocytes,and leads to apoptosis.Apoptosis is very important in regulating the homeostasis of the hepatobiliary system.Endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress is one of the signaling pathways that induce apoptosis.Moreover,the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)-induced apoptotic pathway is the main way;but its role in liver injury remains unclear.Yinchenhao decoction(YCHD)is a traditional Chinese medicine formula that alleviates liver injury and apoptosis,yet its mechanism is unknown.We undertook this study to investigate the effects of YCHD on the expression of ER stress proteins and hepatocyte apoptosis in rats with obstructive jaundice(OJ).AIM To investigate whether YCHD can attenuate OJ-induced liver injury and hepatocyte apoptosis by inhibiting the PERK-CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein(CHOP)-growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible protein 34(GADD34)pathway and B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 related X protein(Bax)/B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2(Bcl-2)ratio.METHODS For in vivo experiments,30 rats were divided into three groups:control group,OJ model group,and YCHD-treated group.Blood was collected to detect the indicators of liver function,and liver tissues were used for histological analysis.For in vitro experiments,30 rats were divided into three groups:G1,G2,and G3.The rats in group G1 had their bile duct exposed without ligation,the rats in group G2 underwent total bile duct ligation,and the rats in group G3 were given a gavage of YCHD.According to the serum pharmacology,serum was extracted and centrifuged from the rat blood to cultivate the BRL-3A cells.Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end-labelling(TUNEL)assay was used to detect BRL-3A hepatocyte apoptosis.Alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate transaminase(AST)levels in the medium were detected.Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)analyses were used to detect protein and gene expression levels of PERK,CHOP,GADD34,Bax,and Bcl-2 in the liver tissues and BRL-3A cells.RESULTS Biochemical assays and haematoxylin and eosin staining suggested severe liver function injury and liver tissue structure damage in the OJ model group.The TUNEL assay showed that massive BRL-3A rat hepatocyte apoptosis was induced by OJ.Elevated ALT and AST levels in the medium also demonstrated that hepatocytes could be destroyed by OJ.Western blot or qRT-PCR analyses showed that the protein and mRNA expression levels of PERK,CHOP,and GADD34 were significantly increased both in the rat liver tissue and BRL-3A rat hepatocytes by OJ.The Bax and Bcl-2 levels were increased,and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was also increased.When YCHD was used,the PERK,CHOP,GADD34,and Bax levels quickly decreased,while the Bcl-2 levels increased,and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio decreased.CONCLUSION OJ-induced liver injury and hepatocyte apoptosis are associated with the activation of the PERK-CHOP-GADD34 pathway and increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio.YCHD can attenuate these changes.
文摘Background and aims:Combination therapy is a promising new strategy that has been proposed to increase the efficacy of cancer treatment.We aimed to investigate the anti-cancer activity of rifampicin monotherapy and its combination with doxorubicin against hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Materials and methods:The in vitro half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)and selectivity index(SI)of the drugs under investigation against HepG2 and human lung fibroblast(WI38)cell lines were determined.For the in vivo experiment,male Sprague-Dawley albino rats were injected with thioacetamide at 200 mg/kg twice a week for 90 days;HCC development was confirmed histopathologically.Following HCC induction,the rats were treated with intraperitoneal doxorubicin,rifampicin,or their combination for 45 or 90 days.After sacrifice,the livers were examined histopathologically.The levels of aminotransferases,albumin,bilirubin,malondialdehyde,superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),total antioxidant capacity(TAC),and nitric oxide were measured by spectrophotometry.Alphafetoprotein,cancer antigen 19-9,tumor necrosis factor-alpha,interleukin-6,Bcl-2-associated X protein,caspase 3,caspase 8,and p53 were estimated using ELISA.Results:In vitro,the combination of doxorubicin and rifampicin showed the highest SI of 3.43.In vivo,among the measured markers,the levels of TAC,CAT,SOD,and p53 decreased(P<0.001)and the rest of the measured marker levels increased(P<0.001)in the HCC-bearing rats;after treatment in all groups,all these changes improved toward normal in a time-dependent manner.The combination of doxorubicin and rifampicin optimized the effects of the two individual drugs and exerted the best antioxidant effects.Conclusions:In general,compared with rifampicin or doxorubicin alone,combination therapy has favorable outcomes.Based on our results,the combination of rifampicin and doxorubicin might be applicable for HCC chemotherapy.
基金the Scientific and Technological Developing Scheme of Jilin Province(The Protective Effect and Mechanism Research of Qiangxinhuoli Decoction on Chronic Heart Failure,No.20140414054GH)
文摘OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Qiangxin Huoli decoction on rats with chronic heart failure(CHF) induced by adriamycin(ADR), and to investigate the underlying mechanism of this effect.METHODS: Ninety-six healthy Wistar rats were divided into six groups: control, CHF model, CHF treated by Shenfu injection, and three CHF groups treated with Qiangxin Huoli decoction at high, medium, and low doses, respectively. Qiangxin Huoli decoction was administered orally to protect the stomach in the three Qiangxin Huoli decoction groups, while the control group and the CHF model group were administered the same volume of 0.9% physiological saline, and the Shenfu group wereadministered the same volume of Shenfu injection. Ten days later, the CHF model was then induced in all groups except the control group by intraperitoneal injection of ADR at gradient dose intervals. The bodyweights were recorded on days 10, 20, 30, and 40. Hemodynamic indices were recorded, including left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP), maximum increase in left ventricular pressure(+dp/dt_(max)), maximum decrease in left ventricular pressure(-dp/dt_(max)), heart rate(HR), and electrocardiogram using an eight-channel physiological recorder with LabChart software monitoring. The plasma brain natriuretic peptide(BNP) concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent adsorption. The expressions of B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax) were detected by immunohistochemical methods.RESULTS: The CHF model group were in poor condition, and the mean bodyweight was significantly decreased compared with the control group. Furthermore, compared with the control group, the CHF groups had significantly decreased LVSP, +dp/dt_(max), and-dp/dt_(max), and significantly increased LVEDP. The CHF groups also showed significant increases in HR, S-T segment elevation, and plasma BNP levels compared with the control group. Compared with the CHF model group, the treatment groups had significantly increased Bax expression(P < 0.05) and significantly decreased Bcl-2 expression(P < 0.01), indicating less apoptosis. The high dose Qiangxin Huoli decoction group and the Shenfu group showed the most significant improvements.CONCLUSION: In the rat model of CHF, Qiangxin Huoli decoction significantly reduces the abnormal hemodynamics, improves cardiac function, reduces plasma BNP concentration, regulates the expression of apoptosis proteins, inhibits the apoptosis of myocardial cells, and plays a protective role.
