Search

Liver fibrosis is a disease largely driven by resident and recruited macrophages. The phenotypic switch of hepatic macrophages can be achieved by chemo-attractants and cytokines. During a screening of plants traditionally used to treat liver diseases in China, paeoniflorin was identified as a potential drug that affects the polarization of macrophages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of paeoniflorin in an animal model of liver fibrosis and explore its underlying mechanisms. Liver fibrosis was induced in Wistar rats via an intraperitoneal injection of CCl4. In addition, the RAW264.7 macrophages were cultured in the presence of CoCl2 to simulate a hypoxic microenvironment of fibrotic livers in vitro. The modeled rats were treated daily with either paeoniflorin (100, 150, and 200 mg/kg) or YC-1 (2 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. Hepatic function, inflammation and fibrosis, activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition were assessed in the in vivo and in vitro models. The expression levels of M1 and M2 macrophage markers and the NF- κ B/HIF-1 α pathway factors were measured using standard assays. Paeoniflorin significantly alleviated hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, as well as hepatocyte necrosis in the CCl4-induced fibrosis model. Furthermore, paeoniflorin also inhibited HSC activation and reduced ECM deposition both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, paeoniflorin restrained M1 macrophage polarization and induced M2 polarization in the fibrotic liver tissues as well as in the RAW264.7 cells grown under hypoxic conditions by inactivating the NF- κ B/HIF-1 α signaling pathway. In conclusion, paeoniflorin exerts its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects in the liver by coordinating macrophage polarization through the NF- κ B/HIF-1 α pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the proteomic characteristics of Gan ([Chinese text])-stagnancy syndrome (GSS) by seeking the differential protein in blood and tissues of GSS model rats. Methods: GSS model rats were established by chronic restraint stress, keeping rats in restrain chamber for 6 h every day for 21 successive days. Their blood and liver samples were collected at the end of experiment for differential protein detection with methods of isoelectrofocusing and polyacrylamide SDS-PAGE, silver staining, and scanning. The gel images were analyzed with Imagemaster 2D Elite software, and the excavated differential protein spots were identified with matrix assistant laser resolving TOF mass spectrometry, Western blot, ELISA, and RT-PCR, respectively. Results: A method for isolating the protein in blood serum and tissues by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was established and optimized. Six serum proteins and three liver proteins that differentially expressed were identified. The down-regulated differential proteins in serum of GSS model rats were serum albumin precursor, beta 1 globin, antibody against muscle acetylcholine receptor, Ig lambda-2 C region, and transthyretin (TTR), and those in liver tissue were aryl sulfotransferase, enoyl-CoA hydratase, and TTR. TTR down-regulation was found in both serum and liver. Preliminary biological information analysis showed that these differential proteins involved in immune, neuroendocrine, nutrition, and substance metabolism. Conclusion: Proteomic analysis of differential proteins showed that TTR, aryl sulfotransferase, and enoyl-CoA hydratase expressions are downregulated in the GSS model rats, suggesting that the susceptibility of cancer could be enhanced by chronic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver fibrosis is a disease largely driven by resident and recruited macrophages. The phenotypic switch of hepatic macrophages can be achieved by chemo-attractants and cytokines. During a screening of plants traditionally used to treat liver diseases in China, paeoniflorin was identified as a potential drug that affects the polarization of macrophages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of paeoniflorin in an animal model of liver fibrosis and explore its underlying mechanisms. Liver fibrosis was induced in Wistar rats via an intraperitoneal injection of CCl 4 . In addition, the RAW264.7 macrophages were cultured in the presence of CoCl 2 to simulate a hypoxic microenvironment of fibrotic livers in vitro . The modeled rats were treated daily with either paeoniflorin (100, 150, and 200[Formula: see text]mg/kg) or YC-1 (2[Formula: see text]mg/kg) for 8 weeks. Hepatic function, inflammation and fibrosis, activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition were assessed in the in vivo and in vitro models. The expression levels of M1 and M2 macrophage markers and the NF-[Formula: see text]B/HIF-1[Formula: see text] pathway factors were measured using standard assays. Paeoniflorin significantly alleviated hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, as well as hepatocyte necrosis in the CCl 4 -induced fibrosis model. Furthermore, paeoniflorin also inhibited HSC activation and reduced ECM deposition both in vivo and in vitro . Mechanistically, paeoniflorin restrained M1 macrophage polarization and induced M2 polarization in the fibrotic liver tissues as well as in the RAW264.7 cells grown under hypoxic conditions by inactivating the NF-[Formula: see text]B/HIF-1[Formula: see text] signaling pathway. In conclusion, paeoniflorin exerts its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects in the liver by coordinating macrophage polarization through the NF-[Formula: see text]B/HIF-1[Formula: see text] pathway.

Invasion and metastasis are key factors contributing to the high mortality rate of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) involving a complex mechanism. In the invasion and metastasis of HCC, miRNAs can serve as either oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes to regulate the differentiation and proliferation of tumor cells being and play important roles in tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. This review summarizes the recent progress in research of the molecular mechanisms by which miRNAs targeting GSK-3β regulate HCC invasion and metastasis and examines the roles of miRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, and GSK-3β regulation.

Objective To observe the possible mechanism of Biejiajian Pill (BP) in fighting a- gainst hepatic fibrosis of hepatic stellate cell T6 ( HSC-T6) by studying effect of BP containing serum on inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis of HSC-T6. Methods Forty Wistar rats were randomly di- vided into the negative control group (NC) , the positive drug control group (P) , high, middle, and low dose groups (H, M, L) , 8 in each group. BP suspension was administered by gastrogavage to rats in Group H, M, L at 21. 87, 43. 75, and 87. 50 mg/mL, respectively. Rats in Group NC were administered with equal volume of normal saline. Rats in Group P were administered with 0. 01 mg/mL colchicine solu- tion by gastrogavage. Each rat received 2 mL corresponding solution, twice per day, with an interval of 12 h gastrogavage, a total of 7 successive times to prepare drug containing serum. HSC-T6 cells were then randomly divided into drug containing serum groups (group H/M/L/NC) , colchicine positive control group (group P) , and the blank control group (BC). Cells in Group H/M/L/NC/P were fed with correspond- ing drug containing serums, while those in-Group BC were cultured with free drug serum. The proliferation inhibition rate of HSC-T6 was detected using CCK8 method at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. The apop- totic rate and cell cycle were detected using flow cytometry. Protein expressions of B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were detected using Western blot. Results Compared with Group NC, 24-h proliferation inhibition rate of HSC-T6 was obviously elevated in Group M, H, P (P < 0. 05). Compared with Group NC, 48- and 72-h proliferation inhibition rate of HSC-T6 was obviously ele- vated in Group L, M, H, P (P <0. 05). But there was no statistical difference in 24-, 48-, and 72-h prolif- eration inhibition rate of HSC-T6 among Group L, M, H, P (P >0. 05). Compared with Group NC and BC, early-and late-stage apoptosis rates of HSC-T6 obviously increased in Group M, H, P (P<0. 05) ; G,/G1 phase cell number obviously increased in Group M, H, P (P <0. 05) ; S phase and G2/M phase cell num- bers obviously decreased in Group L, M, H, P (P <0. 05). There was no statistical difference in Bcl-2 protein expression among each group (P>0. 05). Compared with Group NC, Bax protein expression ob- viously increased Group L, M, H, P (P <0. 01). Conclusion The mechanism of BP for fighting against hepatic fibrosis might be associated with inhibiting proliferation of HSC-T6 and inducing apoptosis.

Objective: To explore the molecular mechanism by which Biejiajian pills inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma in a nude mouse model bearing HepG2 cell xenograft., Methods: The inhibitory effect of Biejiajian pills on the growth of HepG2 cell xenograft in nude mice was observed. Immunohistochemical method was used to examine proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in HepG2 cell xenograft, and TUNEL method was employed to detect the cell apoptosis; the expression levels of β-catenin and Tbx3 were measured by Western blotting., Results: Biejiajian pills significantly suppressed the growth of HepG2 cell xenograft in nude mice. The tumor-bearing mice treated with a high and a moderate dose of Biejiajian pills showed significantly increased apoptosis rate of the tumor cells [(22.9±1.220)% and (14.7±0.50)%, respectively] compared with the control group [(5.5±0.90)%, P<0.05]. Treatment with Biejiajian pills significantly decreased the expressions of PNCA, β-catenin, and Tbx3 in the cell xenograft (P<0.05)., Conclusions: Biejiajian pills can inhibit the growth of HepG2 cell xenograft in nude mice and promote tumor cell apoptosis possibly by inhibiting PNCA expression and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Objective: To investigate effects of biejiajian pill (BP) on the proliferation, adhesion, and invasion of hepatoma carcinoma cells (HepG2), and to primarily explore the mechanisms for fighting against metastasis and invasion., Methods: Using sero-pharmacological methods, HepG2 cells were respectively cultured by high and middle dose BP containing serums and the vehicle serum. Using MTT colorimetry, cell adhesion test, and Transwell invasion test, effects of BP on the proliferation, adhesion, and invasion of HepG2 cells were detected, thus further exploring the mechanisms for fighting against the metastasis and invasion of HepG2 cells., Results: High and middle dose BP containing serums could significantly prohibit the growth and proliferation, the adhesion and invasion of HepG2 cells on the basilar membrane. Besides, these effects were correlated with the concentrations of BP., Conclusion: BP could effectively inhibit the growth and proliferation, adhesion and invasion of HepG2 cells.

Objective: To investigate the mechanism underlying the protective effects of a traditional Chinese medicinal formula, Baoganning, against liver fibrosis., Methods: Male Wistar rats were subjected to injection of carbon tetrachloride- peanut oil mixture and given daily 5% alcoholic beverage, and 2 days after the injection, Baoganning was administered intragastrically at two different doses for 6 weeks. Radioimmunoassay was used to detect serum leptin level, and immunohistochemistry employed to examine the effect of Baoganning on expressions of leptin and its receptor in the liver tissue of the rats., Results: Compared with the normal control group, the rats in the liver fibrosis model group and Baoganning-treated groups showed significantly increased serum leptin levels (P<0.01), and the serum leptin level was significantly lower in Baoganning group than in the liver fibrosis model group (P<0.01). Baoganning significantly reduced the hepatic expression of leptin and OB-Rb in rats with liver fibrosis in comparison with their expression in the model group (P<0.01)., Conclusion: Baoganning can effectively ameliorate liver fibrosis in rats possibly through reducing serum leptin level and inhibiting hepatic leptin and its receptor expressions.