Rehmanniae Radix Preparata suppresses bone loss and increases bone strength through interfering with canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in OVX rats

Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (RRP) improves bone quality in OVX rats through the regulation of bone homeostasis via increasing osteoblastogenesis and decreasing osteoclastogenesis, suggesting it has a potential for the development of new anti-osteoporotic drugs.

INTRODUCTION

Determine the anti-osteoporotic effect of RRP in ovariectomized (OVX) rats and identify the signaling pathway involved in this process.

METHODS

OVX rats were treated with RRP aqueous extract for 14 weeks. The serum levels of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were determined by ELISA. Bone histopathological alterations were evaluated by H&E, Alizarin red S, and Safranin O staining. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone microstructure in rat femurs and lumbar bones were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and micro-computed tomography. Femoral bone strength was detected by a three-point bending assay. The expression of Phospho-glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (p-GSK-3β), GSK-3β, Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1), cathepsin K, OPG, RANKL, IGF-1, Runx2, β-catenin, and p-β-catenin was determined by western blot and/or immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

Treatment of OVX rats with RRP aqueous extract rebuilt bone homeostasis demonstrated by increasing the levels of OPG as well as decreasing the levels of TRAP, RANKL, and ALP in serum. Furthermore, RRP treatment preserved BMD and mechanical strength by increasing cortical bone thickness and epiphyseal thickness as well as improving trabecular distribution in the femurs of OVX rats. In addition, RRP downregulated the expression of DKK1, sclerostin, RANKL, cathepsin K, and the ratio of p-β-catenin to β-catenin, along with upregulating the expression of IGF-1, β-catenin, and Runx2 and the ratio of p-GSK-3β to GSK-3β in the tibias and femurs of OVX rats. Echinacoside, jionoside A1/A2, acetoside, isoacetoside, jionoside B1, and jionoside B2 were identified in the RRP aqueous extract.

CONCLUSION

RRP attenuates bone loss and improves bone quality in OVX rats partly through its regulation of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, suggesting that RRP has the potential to provide a new source of anti-osteoporotic drugs.

[Serum levels of periostin and their influencing factors in the beta-lactam antibiotic enterprise workers]

Objective: To observe serum levels of periostin, ECP, IgE in the antibiotic enterprise workers, and study the role of periostin, ECP, IgE in the development of allergic inflammation. Methods: 90 cases with asthma or rhinitis were enrolled as disease group, another 117 workers exposed to 7-ACA、6-APA dust without suffering from allergic illness, are chosen as group of dust exposed, and 192 healthy workers who didn't contact dust were chosen as control group. Questionnaires were used to learn their basic information.Lung function was determined with a portable spirometer.The expression levels of periostin、ECP and IgE in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay. Results: The exposure group and disease group had significantly lower forced vital capacity (FVC) , forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(l.0)) , and FEV(l.0)/FVC ratio than the control group (P<0.05) . The disease group had significantly higher eosinophil than the control group (P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the exposure group, the disease group, asthma subgroup, rhinitis subgroup of serum periostin and IgE increased, the differences are statistically significant (P<0.05) . Serum levels of ECP in the workers of asthma subgroup were significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05) . Serum expression levels of periostin were positively correlated with IgE, ECP in workers (P<0.001) , serum levels of periostin were negatively correlated with FEV(1.0) in workers (P<0.05) . Multiple logistics regression analysis found that exposure to 7-ACA or 6-APA (OR=3.09, 95%CI: 1.83-5.21) , age>47years (OR=2.53, 95%CI: 1.22-5.26) , higher ECP (OR=1.04, 95%CI: 1.01-1.06) were risk factors for increased serum periostin level. Conclusion: Occupational exposure to 7-ACA or 6-APA can result in higher serum periostin level, exposure to 7-ACA or 6-APA, age>47 years, higher ECP are risk factors for increased serum periostin level.

Gender impact on the correlations between Graves' hyperthyroidism and hyperuricemia in Chinese

OBJECTIVE

An increased level of serum uric acid (SUA) can be observed in patients with hypothyroidism. Nonetheless, data on the relationship between hyperuricemia and hyperthyroidism was still controversial. Thus, we aimed to analyze the association between Graves' hyperthyroidism and hyperuricemia in Chinese men and women.

METHODS

We recruited 103 male and 254 female patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism, as well as the same number of control subjects. Anthropometric measurements and fasting blood tests were collected and analyzed statistically by binary logistic regressions to determine the risk of developing hyperuricemia in hyperthyroidism.

RESULTS

SUA levels in males were significantly higher than that in females in both patients and controls. SUA levels were also significantly increased in hyperthyroid patients compared to in controls in both genders. The incidence of hyperuricemia rose significantly in subjects with hyperthyroidism with a higher prevalence in males than in females. SUA was negatively correlated with age and fasting glucose in male hyperthyroid patients, while it was positively correlated with body height, body weight, free triiodothyronine, and free thyroxine in female patients. Hyperthyroidism was a risk factor for hyperuricemia with an odd ratio of 4.536 for men and 2.730 for women.

CONCLUSIONS

For hyperuricemia, hyperthyroidism was an important risk factor that should not be neglected, especially for men.

Baseline concentration of misfolded α-synuclein aggregates in cerebrospinal fluid predicts risk of cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

The prognostic significance of misfolded α-synuclein (α-Syn) aggregates in Parkinson's disease (PD) has not been well investigated. The aim of this study was to reveal the relationship between misfolded α-Syn aggregate concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and cognitive decline risk in PD.

METHODS

A total of 278 patients with PD were retrospectively included. They were diagnosed between 2011 and 2013. The end-point was 2016, and the follow-up period was 54.3 ± 10.0 months. Cognitive decline was defined as a 4-point decrease in the Mini-Mental State Examination score during follow-up. Misfolded α-Syn aggregate concentration in baseline CSF was measured using the protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) technique. Time to reach 50% of the maximum fluorescence value was recorded.

RESULTS

The PMCA technique successfully detected the level of misfolded α-Syn aggregates in CSF with a sensitivity of 85.3% and a specificity of 91.4%. The time to reach 50% of the maximum fluorescence value was shorter in the patients with cognitive decline than in the patients without cognitive decline (190.7 ± 40.1 h vs. 240.8 ± 45.6 h, P < 0.001). Multifactorial Cox regression analysis revealed that reaching 50% of the maximum fluorescence value in ≤219 h at baseline was associated with increased risk of cognitive decline during the follow-up (HR: 4.90, 95% CI: 2.75-8.74, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Baseline concentration of misfolded α-Syn aggregates in CSF measured by the PMCA technique predicts risk of cognitive decline in PD.

Genistein attenuates renal fibrosis in streptozotocin‑induced diabetic rats

The present study aimed to investigate the antifibrogenic effects of genistein (GEN) on the kidney in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and to determine the associated mechanisms. Rats were randomized into four groups: Normal control (N), STZ (S), L (STZ + low-dose GEN) and H (STZ + high-dose GEN). After 8 weeks, the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, the ratio of kidney weight to body weight (renal index), 24-h urine protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), renal total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxidation (LPO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxyproline (Hyp) contents were measured. The histomorphology and ultrastructure of the kidney were also assessed. In addition, mRNA expression levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and protein expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), TGF-β1, mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (Smad3), phosphorylated (p)-Smad3 and collagen IV were estimated. Compared with group N, the levels of FBG, renal index, 24-h urine protein, BUN, SCr, LPO, MDA and Hyp were increased, whereas the levels of T-AOC and SOD were decreased in group S. The structure of renal tissue was damaged, and the expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 were reduced, whereas the expression of TGF-β1, Smad3, p-Smad3 and collagen IV were increased in group S. Compared with group S, the aforementioned indices were improved in groups L and H. In conclusion, GEN exhibited reno-protective effects in diabetic rats and its mechanisms may be associated with the inhibition of oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2-HO-1/NQO1 pathway, and the alleviation of renal fibrosis by suppressing the TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway.

Efficacy of Probiotics Supplementation On Chronic Kidney Disease: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota may accelerate the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) by increasing the levels of urea toxins. In recent years, probiotics have been recognized to maintain the physiological balance of the intestinal microbiota. In this study, we aim to assess the therapeutic effects of probiotics on CKD patients with and without dialysis via meta-analysis.

METHODS

We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) by searching the databases of Pubmed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library (No. CRD42018093080). Studies on probiotics for treatment of CKD adults lasting for at least 4 weeks were selected. The primary outcomes were the levels of urea toxins, and the second outcomes were the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, C-reactive protein (CRP) and hemoglobin (Hb). The risk of bias was assessed by Cochrane Collaboration' tool, and the quality of evidence was appraised with the Grading of Recommendation Assessment. Means and standard deviations were analyzed by random effects analysis. Stratified analysis was done and sensitivity analysis was performed when appropriate.

RESULTS

Totally, eight studies with 261 patients at CKD stage 3 to 5 with and without dialysis were included. We found a decrease of p-cresyl sulfate (PCS) of 3 studies with 125 subjects (P = 0.01, SMD -0.57, 95% CI, -0.99 to -0.14, I2 = 25%) and an increase of IL-6 in 3 studies with 134 subjects (P = 0.03, 95% CI, SMD 0.37, 0.03 to 0.72, I2 = 0%) in the probiotics groups. Analysis of serum creatinine (P = 0.47), blood urine nitrogen (P = 0.73), CRP (P = 0.55) and Hb (P = 0.49) yielded insignificant difference.

CONCLUSION

Limited number of studies and small sample size are limitations of our study. Probiotics supplementation may reduce the levels of PCS and elevate the levels of IL-6 whereby protecting the intestinal epithelial barrier of patients with CKD.

[Distributed lag effects on the relationship between daily mean temperature and the incidence of bacillary dysentery in Lanzhou city]

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the lag effects of daily average temperature on the daily cases of bacillary dysentery in Lanzhou city.

METHODS

The data of daily cases of bacillary dysentery were collected during 2008 and 2015 in the city, and the meteorological data at the same period was integrated. The distributed lag non-linear model was used to analyze the relevance between daily average temperature and the daily cases of bacillary dysentery.

RESULTS

The exposure response relationship between the daily temperature and the incidence of bacillary dysentery was "J" type, the lowest incidence temperature was 17 °C, and the effect of high temperature on different gender and age groups was higher than that of the intermediate effect. The effect of high temperature and intermediate effect on the male and female groups showed an acute effect, the effect of the day was the highest, followed by fluctuations in temperature, and the greater the impact on women. In different age groups, high temperature effect and the intermediate effect of bacterial dysentery in 0-3 years old groups were the biggest; the effects of high and intermediate temperature on people aged 0-3 and 19-64 year all showed acute effects, which were the maximum value at the day, then decreased volatility; and for people aged over 65 years, the day after the onset, decreases and then increases slowly. There were obviously increasing risks of bacillary dysentery both the high temperature (32 °C) and the middle temperature (26 °C) with respect to 17 °C. The accumulative effects were highest at lag14 days, and the RR (95%CI) values of middle temperature was 2.30 (1.53-3.13), 2.45 (1.65-3.30), 2.41 (1.59-3.28), 2.54 (1.40-3.79), 1.82 (0.41-3.43), 1.98 (1.11-2.93), and 1.73 (0.68-2.88) among the males, females, 0-3 years old, 4-11 years old, 12-18 years old, 19-64 years old and over 65 years old people, respectively; while the high temperature was 2.93 (1.38-4.69), 3.08 (1.48- 4.90), 3.26 (1.60-5.16), 3.12 (1.06-5.56), 1.94 (0.73-5.39), 2.31 (0.54-4.36), and 2.06 (0.02-4.51), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The high temperature may increase risks of bacillary dysentery, and the females and younger people were the sensitive population. Meteorological factors play an important role in the occurrence and development of bacillary dysentery in Lanzhou. The incidence of bacillary dysentery is affected by multiple meteorological factors, but the primary one is high temperature. The temperature has not a direct effect on the incidence of bacillary dysentery, but an indirect influence in different populations through the impacts of various aspects of the incidence of bacterial dysentery (residents living habits, communication channels and the habits of the susceptible population).

Changes of serum midkine as a dynamic prognostic factor to monitor disease status in papillary thyroid cancer

This study aimed to investigate the value of dynamic changes of midkine (MK) to monitor post-surgical patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) who were managed with I therapies.MK concentration at initial I ablation therapy (MK1) as well as 10 to 12 months thereafter (MK2) was evaluated. And the dynamic changes of thyroglobulin (Tg) were compared (Tg1 and Tg2). Patients with MK influencing co-morbidities and with positive thyroglobulin antibodies were excluded. Concentrations of MK were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.There were 241 PTC patients (36 males, 205 females) enrolled, 55 cases had metastases (8 males, 47 females) during their follow-up. Cox regression showed if Tg2 decreased (compared with Tg1), but not to less than 1.0ng/mL under TSH stimulation, the risk of metastases was 12.554 times more than if it could decrease to the optimal level. If Tg2 increased, the risk is 19.461 times higher. As for MK, if MK2 level decreased (compared with MK1), but not to a normal level, the risk of metastases is 3.006. If MK2 level increased, it would be 5.030 likely to had metastases.Our results indicated that MK could potentially be used as a disease monitoring biomarker for PTC, although inferior to Tg.

[Protective Effects of Genistein on Myocardial Injury in Diabetic Rats]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of genistein (Gen) on myocardial injury in diabetic rats and explore its mechanisms.

METHODS

Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal (N) group, diabetic (D) group, Gen 5 mg/kg treatment (L) group and Gen 25 mg/kg treatment (H) group (n=8 for each group). Intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin was utilized to establish type 1 diabetic rat model. After successful building models, from the fifth week, the rats in the L and H groups were daily gavaged with 5 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg Gen solution, respectively. After 4 weeks of treatment with Gen, the hemodynamic parameters and fasting blood glucose (FBG) level were measured. The morphological structure and ultrastructure of myocardium were observed using HE staining and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and Caspase-3 in myocardial tissue were measured. The levels of myocardial Bcl-2 and Bax at mRNA expression were detected using RT-PCR. The levels of myocardial thioredoxin (Trx), Trx-interacting protein (TXNIP) and apoptosis signal regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) at protein expression were detected using Western blot.

RESULTS

Compared with the N group, the FBG, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MDA and Caspase-3 levels were increased (P<0.01), while hemodynamic parameters and GSH content were decreased (P<0.01), the myocardial morphological structure and ultrastructure were damaged in the D group. The levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and Trx protein expression were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the levels of Bax mRNA, TXNIP and ASK1 protein expression were significantly increased (P<0.01) in the D group. Compared with the D group, in the L and H groups, there was no significant difference in [CM(155mm]FBG, the TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MDA and Caspase-3 levels were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the hemodynamic parameters and GSH content were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01); the myocardial morphological structural and ultrastructural damages were alleviated; the levels of Bcl-2 mRNA and Trx protein expression were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the levels of Bax mRNA, TXNIP and ASK1 protein expression were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Gen exhibits a protective effect on myocardial injury in diabetic rats, and the mechanisms may be associated with the reduction of inflammatory reaction, the regulation of Trx system expression, and the inhibition of oxidative stress and cell apoptosis.

Combination of positron emission tomography/computed tomography and chest thin-layer high-resolution computed tomography for evaluation of pulmonary nodules: Correlation with imaging features, maximum standardized uptake value, and pathology

This study aimed to analyze the imaging findings of F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG PET/CT) and chest thin-layer high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), correlate the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), and the pathological type of benign or malignant pulmonary nodules (PNs), and assess the diagnostic accuracy in differentiating malignant from benign PNs.A retrospective review of F-FDG PET/CT scans from 88 patients with PNs confirmed by pathology or clinical follow-up were included. They both accepted PET/CT and HRCT scan conventional. The final results were determined by a combination of PET/CT and HRCT. Independent samples t test was used for statistical analysis. Receiver operating curves (ROC) were generated and the optimal threshold of SUVmax was determined.The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of HRCT, PET/CT, and PET/CT combined with HRCT in the diagnosis of PNs were 83.3%, 70%, 77.3%; 91.7%, 62.5%, 78.4%; and 95.8%, 75%, 86.4%, respectively. The SUVmax of malignant nodules was significantly higher than that of benign nodules, and the difference was statistically significant (t = -5.668, P < .001). In the subgroup analysis, the SUVmax of squamous cell carcinoma was higher than that of the denocarcinoma (t = -5.442, P < .001), and that of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (t = 4.678, P < .001), the difference were both statistically significant. There were both no significant difference between adenocarcinoma and bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (t = 0.36, P = .722), tuberculosis and inflammatory nodules (t = -0.18, P = .858). Higher the value of SUVmax, greater the risk of malignancy. However, when the SUVmax ranges between 2.5 and 8.0, the lesion may be benign or malignant, and a comprehensive evaluation using combination methods with HRCT are required. When SUVmax <2.5, there is still a 9.5% chance of PN malignancy. ROC curve shows SUVmax >3.635 as the best threshold, and the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of PET/CT in diagnosis of PNs were 83.3%, 62.5%, 79.2%, 71.7%, and 71.4%, respectively.PET/CT combined with HRCT should be advocated to improve the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of PET/CT in diagnosis of PNs.

Validation and bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed circRNAs involved in developing male Xenopus laevis chronically exposed to atrazine

The data presented here are related to the research article titled “Identification of circular RNAs and their alterations involved in developing male Xenopus laevis chronically exposed to atrazine” (Sai et al., 2018) [1]. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are implicated in multiple developmental anomalies (Bachmayr-Heyda et al., 2015; Li et al., 2015) [2], [3]. This report describes the differentially expressed circRNAs involved in developing male Xenopus laevis (X. laevis) chronically exposed to atrazine (AZ) database. The database contains the validation of differentially expressed circRNAs, KEGG analysis of differentially expressed circRNA-associated target genes and prediction of miRNA binding sites. These data may help to further evaluate the role of circRNAs in male X. laevis chronically exposed to AZ.

[Pollution characteristics and health risk assessment of heavy metals in PM(2.5) in Lanzhou]

Objective: To understand the pollution characteristics and assess the pollution health risks of heavy metals in atmospheric PM(2.5) in Lanzhou. Methods: According to the regional characteristics of air pollution and industrial distribution characteristics in Lanzhou, atmospheric PM(2.5) was sampled monthly in Chengguan and Xigu Districts from January, 2015 to December, 2016. Detected the concentration of PM(2.5) and 12 kinds of elements (Sb, Al, As, Be, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, Mn, Ni, Se and Tl) by weighing method and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index were used to describe the pollution characteristics, while health risk assessment was conducted using the recommended United States Environmental Protection Agency (USA EPA) model. The health risks of non-carcinogens were evaluated by non-cancer hazard quotient (HQ), the non-carcinogenic risk was considered to be negligible when HQ<1, HQ>1 meant a health risk. With a single contaminant cancer Risk value to evaluate the health risks of carcinogens, when the Risk value between 10(-6) to10(-4) as an acceptable level. Results: The daily average concentrations of PM(2.5) was 83.0 μg/m(3), 77.0 μg/m(3) in Chengguan and Xigu Districts, respectively, during the sampling periods, and the concentration of PM(2.5) in winter/spring was higher than summer/fall in both districts. The concentration of Al in PM(2.5) was the highest and other elements in descending order: Pb, Mn, As, Sb/Cd, Tl in both districts. Enrichment factor results showed that Al and Mn were mainly affected by natural factors, the rest of five elements were all typical man-made pollution elements and according to geo-accumulation index pollution level of Cd was the strongest in the winter. The results of health risk assessment showed that Mn had the highest non-cancer risks (HQ>1) and affected the health of the children seriously. HQ reached up to 2.44 and 1.79 in Chengguan and Xigu Districts, respectively. Pb, As, Sb, Cd had slight health impact (HQ<1), could be negligible. The cancer risks range of As, Cr were 6.33×10(-6) to 6.46×10(-5) between the acceptable level of risk (10(-6) to 10(-4)), which indicated that As and Cd had potential cancer-risks. Conclusions: The pollution level of atmospheric PM(2.5) and the heavy metals in it was still grim;the non-cancer risks caused by multiple metals on children deserved attention. Although the cancer risks of As and Cd were between the acceptable level of risk, the potential cancer risk still shall not be ignored.

Identification of circular RNAs and their alterations involved in developing male Xenopus laevis chronically exposed to atrazine

Atrazine (AZ) is an environmental endocrine disrupting chemical which can affect the development of amphibians. In our past studies, we demonstrated that chronical exposure to 100 μg/L AZ can cause abnormalities in development and related genes expression of gonads in developing male Xenopus laevis (X. laevis) tadpoles. Recent studies by others have demonstrated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are implicated in multiple developmental anomalies. However, whether circRNAs involve in the effects in AZ-exposed X. laevis remains unknown. In this study, over 68575 circRNAs were detected by circRNA sequencing of testis tissues from control groups (n = 3) and AZ-treated X. laevis (n = 3). Treatment of AZ led to 405 circRNAs differentially expressed including 44 upregulated and 361 downregulated compared with froglets in the control groups. Two upregulated and 6 downregulated circRNAs were further validated by real-time PCR assay which displayed consistent regulation patterns as shown by the transcriptome sequencing results. Two hundreds and eighty two differentially expressed circRNAs played miRNA sponges roles. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis of miRNA targets showed that AZ-affected circRNAs are mainly involved in 19 pathways. The Wnt signaling pathway and progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation pathway may be two involved signal pathways. This study for the first time provides evidence that AZ can alter circRNAs which play a role in AZ-induced testicular degeneration of developing male X. laevis through regulation of expressions of functional genes in the testes of X. laevis.

Dioscin inhibits stem-cell-like properties and tumor growth of osteosarcoma through Akt/GSK3/β-catenin signaling pathway

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor in children and adolescents. Many patients with osteosarcoma always develop drug resistance to current chemotherapy regimens, which induces a poor prognosis. And cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been reported to possess the properties to self-renew and maintain the phenotype of tumor, which may lead to clinical treatment failure. Thus, it is an urgent task to develop several potentially useful therapeutic agents, which could target CSCs in osteosarcoma. This study aims to clarify the in vitro and in vivo anti-osteosarcoma effects of dioscin, the primary component derived from Discorea nipponica Makino, and its molecular mechanism of action. In this study, all the ten human osteosarcoma cell lines were sensitive to dioscin treatment in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Dioscin inhibits proliferation and induces cell cycle arrest as well as apoptotic cell death in osteosarcoma cells. More importantly, oral administration of dioscin (60 mg/kg) showed significant therapeutic effect on osteosarcoma growth without obvious side effects in vivo. In addition, dioscin possesses the ability to suppress stem-cell-like phenotype of osteosarcoma cells. Mechanistically, dioscin inhibits osteosarcoma stem-cell-like properties and tumor growth through repression of Akt/GSK3/β-catenin pathway. Moreover, β-catenin expression in osteosarcoma patients was associated with clinical prognosis. Conclusively, the present study provides comprehensive evidence for the inhibition of dioscin on osteosarcoma stem-cell-like properties and tumor growth through repression of Akt/GSK3/β-catenin pathway, which suggests dioscin as a promising therapeutic regimen. And β-catenin may be a potential therapeutic target as well as a significant prognostic marker for osteosarcoma patients in clinic.

Effect of genistein on myocardial fibrosis in diabetic rats and its mechanism

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of genistein (GEN) on myocardial fibrosis in type 1 diabetic rats and explore the underlying mechanisms. Rats were divided into 4 groups: Normal control (N), diabetic control (D), low-dose GEN treatment (L) and high-dose GEN treatment (H) groups. Following 8 weeks, the ventricular hemodynamic parameters, fasting blood glucose (FBG), heart-weight to body-weight ratio (HW/BW), myocardial hydroxyproline (Hyp) content, serum creatine kinase MB isozyme (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured. The histomorphology and ultrastructure of the heart were observed. The protein expression of myocardial transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad)-3, phosphorylated (p)-Smad3, Smad4, collagen-I and collagen-III were estimated. Compared with the N group, while the cardiac function was decreased, the levels of FBG, HW/BW, Hyp content, CK-MB, LDH, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were increased in the D group. The myocardial histomorphological alterations and ultrastructure were damaged, and the protein expression of myocardial TGF-β1, Smad3, p-Smad3, Smad4, collagen-I and collagen-III were increased in the D group. Compared with the D group, there were no differences in the ventricular hemodynamic parameters, FBG and p-Smad3 expression in the L group, while HW/BW, Hyp content, CK-MB, LDH, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels were decreased. The myocardial histomorphological damage was alleviated and the protein expression of TGF-β1, Smad3, Smad4, collagen-I and collagen-III was decreased in the L group. Compared with L group, excluding FBG, the aforementioned indices were improved in the H group. In conclusion, GEN can attenuate myocardial fibrosis in type 1 diabetic rats, and the underlying mechanisms may be associated with the reduction of CK-MB and LDH leakage, inhibition of the inflammatory reaction, and suppression of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway to regulate collagen expression.

Quantitative structure-activity relationship of anti-HIV integrase and reverse transcriptase inhibitors using norm indexes

The development of new and safe anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) drugs has been an urgent task for medical research recently. Herein, based on the norm-index descriptors proposed in this work and previous works, a couple of models were developed for investigating the quantitative structure-activity/toxicity relationship (QSAR/QSTR) of dual-target anti-HIV integrase (IN) and reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors. The validation results proved that the developed models were stable and reliable, both in statistical quality and predictive capacity. Moreover, potential dual-target inhibitors with high activity and low toxicity were deduced from the developed models; molecular docking results indicated that these inhibitors could interact with some important residues of HIV IN and RT through H-bonding. Accordingly, the norm indexes descriptors proposed by this work might be helpful for the research and development of dual-target anti-HIV drugs.

S-1 versus S-1 plus cisplatin concurrent intensity modulated radiation therapy in the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Study protocol for a randomized controlled phase II trial

INTRODUCTION

Chemotherapy regimens are often a 2-drug regimen in concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy for esophageal cancer (EC). However, some retrospective studies have suggested that for patients with EC receiving radiotherapy combined with 2-drug chemotherapy have the severe toxicity. And S-1 alone with the combination of radiotherapy treatment effect is good, and achieved good clinical remission rate. The purpose of this trial is compare the efficacy and toxicity of combining S-1 or S-1 plus cisplatin with radiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS/DESIGN

The study is a randomized, controlled, multicenter trial, comparing S-1 versus S-1 plus cisplatin concurrent radiotherapy for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Eighty-eight patients with unresectable or medically unfit for surgery esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (clinical stage I to III), will randomly assigned to receive four cycles (2 concomitant and 2 postradiotherapy) S-1 or S-1 plus cisplatin along with radiotherapy 60-66 Gy/30 to 33 fractions. The primary outcome is complete response rate of primary tumor which will be measured by endoscopy and computer screen at 3 months after the completion of treatment. Secondary outcomes include survival and toxicity.

DISCUSSION

To our knowledge, this study protocol is the first to test the effect between S-1 versus S-1 plus cisplatin concurrent intensity modulated radiation therapy in the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. If the result will be the same effect and fewer side effects and less costly in S-1 plus radiotherapy. It will supply more treatment selection for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Low uric acid level increases the risk of infectious mononucleosis and this effect is more pronounced in women

Infectious mononucleosis (IM) due to Epstein-Barr virus infection is common. Uric acid (UA) is an important endogenous antioxidant. To the best of our knowledge, the association between UA and IM has not been comprehensively investigated to date. The aim of the present study was to investigate this association in Chinese patients. A total of 95 patients (47 men and 48 women) with IM were recruited, along with 95 healthy controls. Clinical data were classified by patient sex. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was adopted to determine the cut-off values of UA for IM diagnosis and prediction. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of UA for IM were analyzed by binary logistic regression. The UA levels were significantly lower in IM patients compared with those in controls. In addition, UA levels in men were significantly higher compared with those in women. The ROC curve demonstrated good diagnostic and predictive values of UA for IM in both sexes. The UA cut-off values were 326.00 and 243.50 µmol/l for diagnosing IM in men and women, respectively, with a diagnostic accuracy of 76.596 and 80.208%, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed a significant risk of IM in the low UA quartiles in both sexes. Following adjustments, the ORs even increased. Women with low UA levels appeared to be more susceptible to IM. For example, the crude ORs in quartile 1 were 24.000 and 52.500 for men and women, respectively, and the respective adjusted ORs were 31.437 and 301.746 (all P<0.01). To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to demonstrate the inverse association between UA and IM, suggesting a progressive decrease of antioxidant reserve in IM. Moreover, low UA was suggestive of IM, particularly in women.

[Sodium hydrosulfide attenuates myocardial injury through activating thioredoxin system in diabetic rats]

Objective To investigate the effect of exogenous hydrogen sulfide from sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) on cardiac thioredoxin (Trx) system in diabetic rats. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a diabetic group, and three NaHS (14, 28 and 56 μmol/kg) treatment groups, with 6 rats in each group. Type 1 diabetes was induced in the groups by a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of streptozotocin. At the fifth week after modeling, the NaHS treatment groups were injected (i.p.) with NaHS at the doses of 14, 28 and 56 μmol/kg once a day, respectively. After the treatment for 4 weeks, the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level and ventricular hemodynamic parameters were measured. The changes of myocardial pathomorphology were observed by HE staining. The ultrastructural changes of cardiomyocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and creatine kinase MB isozyme (CK-MB) were examined using the kits. Serum interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were assayed by ELISA. The levels of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), lipid peroxide (LPO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in myocardium were analyzed using the kits. The mRNA expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) was detected using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). The expression levels of Trx, Trx-interacting protein (TXNIP), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2 (NOX2) in myocardium were measured using Western blotting. Results Compared with the normal group, the left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions were weakened in the diabetic group, and the myocardial morphological structure and ultrastructure were damaged obviously. The FBG, LDH, CK, CK-MB, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, LPO and MDA levels increased, while the T-AOC level decreased. The myocardial Trx protein expression was reduced, while the expressions of HO-1 mRNA, TXNIP and NOX2 proteins were elevated in the diabetic group. Compared with the diabetic group, the left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions, myocardial morphological structure and ultrastructure were improved in the three NaHS treatment groups. The LDH, CK, CK-MB, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, LPO and MDA levels decreased, while T-AOC increased. The myocardial HO-1 mRNA and Trx protein expressions were enhanced, while TXNIP and NOX2 protein expressions were suppressed. Conclusion NaHS treatment attenuates diabetic myocardial injury, and the mechanisms may be associated with the activation of the Trx system, the enhancement of antioxidant capability and the inhibition of inflammatory factor release.

Degalactotigonin, a Natural Compound from Solanum nigrum L., Inhibits Growth and Metastasis of Osteosarcoma through GSK3β Inactivation-Mediated Repression of the Hedgehog/Gli1 Pathway

Purpose: Agents extracted from natural sources with antitumor property have attracted considerable attention from researchers and clinicians because of their safety, efficacy, and immediate availability. Degalactotigonin (DGT), extracted from Solanum nigrum L, has anticancer properties without serious side effects. Here, we explored whether DGT can inhibit the growth and metastasis of osteosarcoma.Experimental Design: MTT, colony formation, and apoptosis assays were performed to analyze the effects of DGT on osteosarcoma cell viability in vitro The migration and invasion abilities were measured using a Transwell assay. Animal models were used to assess the roles of DGT in both tumor growth and metastasis of osteosarcoma. Gli1 expression and function were measured in osteosarcoma cells and clinical samples. After DGT treatment, Gli1 activation and the phosphorylation status of multiple cellular kinases were measured with a luciferase reporter and phospho-kinase antibody array.Results: DGT inhibited proliferation, induced apoptosis, and suppressed migration and invasion in osteosarcoma cells. DGT, injected intraperitoneally after tumor inoculation, significantly decreased the volume of osteosarcoma xenografts and dramatically diminished the occurrence of osteosarcoma xenograft metastasis to the lungs. Mechanistically, DGT inhibited osteosarcoma growth and metastasis through repression of the Hedgehog/Gli1 pathway, which maintains malignant phenotypes and is involved in the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients. DGT decreased the activity of multiple intracellular kinases that affect the survival of osteosarcoma patients, including GSK3β. In addition, DGT represses the Hedgehog/Gli1 pathway mainly through GSK3β inactivation.Conclusions: Our studies provide evidence that DGT can suppress the growth and metastasis of human osteosarcoma through modulation of GSK3β inactivation-mediated repression of the Hedgehog/Gli1 pathway. Clin Cancer Res; 24(1); 130-44. ©2017 AACR.