Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Complicated with Femoral Head Ischemic Necrosis Treated by Chinese Medicine Therapy for Activating Blood and Dredging Collaterals Method

Objective：To observe the effect and mechanism of Chinese medicine therapy for activating blood and dredging collaterals（ABDC） on treating systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with avascular necrosis of the femoral head（SLE-ANFH）.Methods：Thirty-four patients（51 joints） with SLE-ANFH were assigned by a random number table to two groups：22 patients（32 joints） in the treatment group and 12 patients （19 joints） in the control group.All received Western medical conventional treatment for anti-inflammation and immunosuppression,but an additional Chinese medicine decoction prescribed based on ABDC principle was administered to patients in the treatment group.The observation on the patients＇ condition and therapeutic effect lasted for 3 years.Results：The patients＇ conditions in the two groups,as assessed by Association for Research Circulation Osseous（ARCO） staging,were similar before treatment.After treatment,comparison between groups showed significant difference（P0.05）,and the raised Harris functional scores in the treatment group were higher than that in the control group（P0.01）.The post-treatment symptom improving rate in the treated group was 72.73%,which was higher than that in the control group（50.00%,P0.05）.Moreover,the former was superior in improving hematologic and hemorrheologic parameters in terms of prolonging activated partial thromboplastin time,lowering whole blood middle/low shear viscosity,and plasma viscosity（P0.05 or P0.01）. Two patients in the control group but none in the treatment group received hip joint replacement operation during the observation period.Conclusions：Chinese medicine ABDC therapy could effectively alleviate clinical symptoms and improve joint function of patients with SLE-ANFH.The mechanism may be related to its effects on improving high coagulation manner and trend for getting embolism.

Scorpiones,Scolopendra and Gekko Inhibit Lung Cancer Growth and Metastasis by Ameliorating Hypoxic Tumor Microenvironment via PI3K/AKT/mTOR/HIF-1αSignaling Pathway

Objective:To investigate whether Buthus martensii karsch(Scorpiones),Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L.Koch(Scolopendra)and Gekko gecko Linnaeus(Gekko)could ameliorate the hypoxic tumor microenvironment and inhibit lung cancer growth and metastasis by regulating phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(PI3K/AKT/mTOR/HIF-1α)signaling pathway.Methods:Male C57BL/6J mice were inoculated with luciferase labeled LL/2-luc-M38 cell suspension to develop lung cancer models,with rapamycin and cyclophosphamide as positive controls.Carboxy methyl cellulose solutions of Scorpiones,Scolopendra and Gekko were administered intragastrically as 0.33,0.33,and 0.83 g/kg,respectively once daily for 21 days.Fluorescent expression were detected every 7 days after inoculation,and tumor growth curves were plotted.Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine CD31 and HIF-1αexpressions in tumor tissue and microvessel density(MVD)was analyzed.Western blot was performed to detect the expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR/HIF-1αsignaling pathway-related proteins.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect serum basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF),transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in mice.Results:Scorpiones,Scolopendra and Gekko prolonged the survival time and inhibited lung cancer metastasis and expression of HIF-1α(all P<0.01).Moreover,Scorpiones,Scolopendra and Gekko inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and ribosomal protein S6 kinase(p70S6K)(P<0.05 or P<0.01).In addition,they also decreased the expression of CD31,MVD,bFGF,TGF-β1 and VEGF compared with the model group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:Scorpiones,Scolopendra and Gekko all showed beneficial effects on lung cancer by ameliorating the hypoxic tumor microenvironment via PI3K/AKT/mTOR/HIF-1αsignaling pathway.