Therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of anti-fibrosis herbs and selenium on rats with hepatic fibrosis

The Effect of Selenium Supplementation on Clinical Outcomes, Metabolic Profiles, and Pulsatility Index of the Uterine Artery in High-Risk Mothers in Terms of Preeclampsia Screening with Quadruple Test: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial : Selenium and preeclampsia

Data on the effects of selenium (Se) supplementation on clinical outcomes, metabolic profiles, and pulsatility index (PI) in high-risk mothers in terms of preeclampsia (PE) screening with quadruple tests are scarce. This study evaluated the effects of Se supplementation on clinical outcomes, metabolic profiles, and uterine artery PI on Doppler ultrasound in high-risk mothers in terms of PE screening with quad marker. The current randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 60 high-risk pregnant women screening for PE with quad tests. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups (30 participants each group), received either 200 µg/day Se supplements (as Se amino acid chelate) or placebo from 16 to 18 weeks of pregnancy for 12 weeks. Clinical outcomes, metabolic profiles, and uterine artery PI were assessed at baseline and at the end of trial. Se supplementation resulted in a significant elevation in serum Se levels (β 22.25 µg/dl; 95% CI, 18.3, 26.1; P < 0.001) compared with the placebo. Also, Se supplementation resulted in a significant elevation in total antioxidant capacity (β 82.88 mmol/L; 95% CI, 3.03, 162.73; P = 0.04), and total glutathione (β 71.35 µmol/L; 95% CI, 5.76, 136.94; P = 0.03), and a significant reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (β - 1.52; 95% CI, - 2.91, - 0.14; P = 0.03) compared with the placebo. Additionally, Se supplementation significantly decreased PI of the uterine artery in Doppler ultrasound (β - 0.09; 95% CI, - 0.14, - 0.04; P = 0.04), and a significant improvement in depression (β - 5.63; 95% CI, - 6.97, - 4.28; P < 0.001), anxiety (β - 1.99; 95% CI, - 2.56, - 1.42; P < 0.001), and sleep quality (β - 1.97; 95% CI, - 2.47, - 1.46; P < 0.001). Se supplementation for 12 weeks in high-risk pregnant women in terms of PE screening with quad marker had beneficial effects on serum Se level, some metabolic profiles, uterine artery PI, and mental health. IRCT Registration: htpp:// www.irct.ir ; identifier IRCT20200608047701N1.

Therapeutic Effects of an Inhibitor of Thioredoxin Reductase on Liver Fibrosis by Inhibiting the Transforming Growth Factor-β1/Smads Pathway

Liver fibrosis is an important stage in the progression of liver injury into cirrhosis or even liver cancer. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) to produce α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagens in liver fibrosis. Butaselen (BS), which was previously synthesized by our group, is an organic selenium compound that exerts antioxidant and tumor cell apoptosis–promoting effects by inhibiting the thioredoxin (Trx)/thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) system. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of BS on liver fibrosis and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of its action. Liver fibrosis models were established using male BALB/c mice through intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄. BS was administered orally once daily at a dose of 36, 90, or 180 mg/kg. Silymarin (Si), which is a drug used for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, was administered at a dose of 30 mg/kg per day as a control. The action mechanisms of BS against liver fibrosis progression were examined in HSCs. The study revealed that the activity and expression levels of TrxR were elevated in the mouse liver and serum after CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis. Oral administration of BS relieved the pathological state of mice with liver fibrosis, showing significant therapeutic effects against liver fibrosis. Moreover, BS not only induced HSC apoptosis but also inhibited the production of α-SMA and collagens by HSCs by downregulating the TGF-β1 expression and blocking the TGF-β1/Smads pathway. The results of the study indicated that BS inhibited liver fibrosis by regulating the TGF-β1/Smads pathway.

Investigating the effect of oxalic acid and salicylic acid treatments on the post-harvest life of temperate grown apricot varieties (Prunus armeniaca) during controlled atmosphere storage

This study aimed at investigating the influence of different postharvest treatments with oxalic acid (OA) and salicylic acid (SA) on quality attributes and postharvest shelf life of temperate grown apricot varieties stored under controlled atmosphere (CA) storage conditions. After each treatment was given, the samples were stored in CA store maintained at a temperature of 0 °C, 90 ± 5% relative humidity, 5% oxygen and 15% carbon dioxide for 30 days. Results indicated that both OA and SA treatments significantly (p ≤ 0.05) retained total soluble solids, titratable acidity, color profile, ascorbic acid content and total phenolic content of apricot varieties and had a positive effect on antioxidant activity and texture of samples compared to control. However, carotenoid content was found to be higher in control. Both the treatments reduced chilling injury index, weight loss and decay percentage of samples. Moreover, it was found that SA treatment was the most effective treatment in maintaining visual color of apricots while OA maintained fruit firmness and effectively decreased the decay percentage and chilling injury index of apricot varieties. In conclusion, it was found that both OA and SA have the potential to extend storage life of apricots and maintain quality attributes of the crop during CA storage.

The effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on women with gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

The effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have not been well established. We conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on glycemic control, inflammation and oxidative stress for women with GDM.

METHODS

A systematic search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library up to July, 2020. Various results were pooled by using Review manager 5.3 and Stata 12.0. Mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed by I-squared (I²) tests.

RESULTS

Six hundred ninety-eight patients from 12 trials were included in our meta-analysis. Magnesium, zinc, selenium, calcium, vitamin D and E (alone or in combination) were found to significantly improve glycemic control in women with GDM compared to those receiving placebos: fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (MD = - 9.02; 95% CI: - 12.09, - 5.96; P < 0.00001), serum insulin (MD = - 4.33; 95% CI: - 5.35, - 3.32; P < 0.00001), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (MD = - 1.34; 95% CI: - 1.60, - 1.07; P < 0.00001), and homeostasis model of assessment for β cell function (HOMA-B) (MD = - 15.58; 95% CI: - 23.70, - 7.46; P = 0.0002). Vitamin and mineral supplementation was found to attenuated inflammation and oxidative stress through decreasing high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (MD = - 1.29; 95% CI: - 1.82, - 0.76; P < 0.00001), malondialdehyde (MDA) (MD = - 0.71; 95% CI: - 0.97, - 0.45; P < 0.00001), and increasing total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (MD = 45.55; 95% CI: 22.02, 69.08; P = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis shows that vitamin and mineral supplementation significantly improved glycemic control, attenuated inflammation and oxidative stress in women with GDM.

Protective effects of selenium-glutathione-enriched probiotics on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis

Hepatic fibrosis is a common pathological basis of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinomas. So, prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis is one of the crucial therapeutic goals in hepatology. Organic selenium, glutathione or probiotics supplementation could ameliorate hepatic fibrosis, respectively. The purpose of this study is to develop a novel selenium-glutathione-enriched probiotics (SGP) and to investigate its protective effect on CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Yeast strains with the high-yield glutathione were isolated and identified by analysis of 26S ribosomal DNA sequences. The fermentation parameters of SGP were optimized through single-factor, Plackett-Burman (PB) design and response surface methodology (RSM). The final SGP contained 38.4 μg/g of organic selenium, 34.1 mg/g of intracellular glutathione, approximately 1×10¹⁰ CFU/g live Saccharomyces cerevisiae and 1×10¹² CFU/g live Lactobacillus acidophilus. SGP had better protective effects on liver fibrosis than selenium, glutathione or probiotics, respectively. The hepatic silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) level was down-regulated and oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, inflammation and phosphorylated MAPK was increased in CCl₄-treated rats. However, SGP can significantly reverse these changes caused by CCl₄. Our findings suggest that SGP was effective in attenuating liver fibrosis by the activation of SIRT1 signaling and attenuating hepatic oxidative stress, ER stress, inflammation and MAPK signaling.

Clinical and Metabolic Response to Selenium Supplementation in Pregnant Women at Risk for Intrauterine Growth Restriction: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Data on the effects of selenium supplementation on clinical signs and metabolic profiles in women at risk for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are scarce. This study was designed to assess the effects of selenium supplementation on clinical signs and metabolic status in pregnant women at risk for IUGR. This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 60 women at risk for IUGR according to abnormal uterine artery Doppler waveform. Participants were randomly assigned to intake either 100 μg selenium supplements as tablet (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 10 weeks between 17 and 27 weeks of gestation. After 10 weeks of selenium administration, a higher percentage of women in the selenium group had pulsatility index (PI) of <1.45) (P = 0.002) than of those in the placebo group. In addition, changes in plasma levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (P < 0.001), glutathione (GSH) (P = 0.008), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (P = 0.004) in the selenium group were significant compared with the placebo group. Additionally, selenium supplementation significantly decreased serum insulin (P = 0.02), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (P = 0.02), and homeostatic model assessment for B-cell function (HOMA-B) (P = 0.02) and significantly increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (P = 0.04) and HDL-C levels (P = 0.02) compared with the placebo. We did not find any significant effect of selenium administration on malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and other lipid profiles. Overall, selenium supplementation in pregnant women at risk for IUGR resulted in improved PI, TAC, GSH, hs-CRP, and markers of insulin metabolism and HDL-C levels, but it did not affect MDA, NO, FPG, and other lipid profiles.Clinical trial registration number http://www.irct.ir : IRCT201601045623N64.

Association between Serum Selenium Concentrations and Levels of Proinflammatory and Profibrotic Cytokines-Interleukin-6 and Growth Differentiation Factor-15, in Patients with Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis

According to some authors, serum selenium levels are strongly associated with the severity of liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the concentration of selenium and pro-inflammatory and profibrotic cytokines—interleukin-6 (IL-6) and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. The parameters studied were determined in the serum of 99 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis divided based on the severity of disease according to the Child-Turcotte-Pugh criteria. In patients with liver cirrhosis, the serum selenium concentration was statistically lower, whereas serum IL-6 and GDF-15 concentrations were higher than those in the control group. Moreover, the concentration of selenium negatively correlated with the levels of GDF-15 and IL-6. The above results may indicate a role of selenium deficiency in the pathogenesis and progression of alcoholic liver disease.

Selenium Supplementation Affects Insulin Resistance and Serum hs-CRP in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Coronary Heart Disease

To our knowledge, this study is the first indicating the effects of selenium supplementation on metabolic status of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary heart disease (CHD). This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of selenium supplementation on metabolic profiles, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress of patients with T2DM and CHD. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed among 60 patients with T2DM and CHD aged 40-85 years. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A received 200 μg selenium supplements (n=30) and group B received placebo per day (n=30) for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at the beginning of the study and after 8-week intervention to quantify metabolic profiles. After 8 weeks, compared with the placebo, selenium supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in serum insulin levels (- 2.2±4.6 vs. + 3.6±8.4 μIU/ml, p=0.001), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (- 0.7±1.3 vs. + 0.9±2.4, p=0.004), homeostatic model assessment-beta cell function (HOMA-B) (- 7.5±17.2 vs. + 15.1±34.5, p=0.002) and a significant increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (+0.01±0.03 vs. - 0.01±0.03, p=0.02). In addition, patients who received selenium supplements had a significant reduction in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (- 1 372.3±2 318.8 vs. - 99.8±1 453.6 ng/ml, p=0.01) and a significant rise in plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentrations (+ 301.3±400.6 vs. - 127.2±428.0 mmol/l, p<0.001) compared with the placebo. A 200 μg/day selenium supplementation among patients with T2DM and CHD resulted in a significant decrease in insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, serum hs-CRP, and a significant increase in QUICKI score and TAC concentrations.

Selenium Supplementation and the Effects on Reproductive Outcomes, Biomarkers of Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Selenium supplementation could be effective on reproductive outcomes, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The aim of the study was to determine the effects of selenium supplementation on reproductive outcomes, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress in PCOS patients. The present randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 64 women aged 18-40 years old with PCOS at the clinic affiliated to Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran. The participants were randomly assigned to 2 groups receiving either 200 μg selenium daily (n=32) or placebo (n=32) for 8 weeks. Hormonal profiles, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress were measured and compared both before and after the treatment. After 8 weeks of intervention, pregnancy rate in the selenium group was higher than in the placebo group: 18.8 (6/32) vs. 3.1% (1/32), p=0.04. In addition, alopecia (40.6 vs. 9.4%, p=0.004) and acne (46.9 vs. 12.5 %, p=0.003) decreased following the consumption of selenium supplements compared with placebo. Additionally, patients who received selenium supplements had significantly decreased serum dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels (p=0.02), hirsutism (modified Ferriman-Gallwey scores) (p<0.001), serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (p=0.02), and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p=0.01) compared with placebo. We did not observe any significant effects of taking selenium supplements on other hormonal profiles, nitric oxide (NO), and other biomarkers of oxidative stress. Taken together, selenium supplementation for 8 weeks among PCOS women had beneficial effects on reproductive outcomes, DHEA, hs-CRP, and MDA levels. Supporting Information for this article is available online at http://www.thieme-connect.de/products.

Synergistic efficacy of γ-radiation together with gallium trichloride and/or doxorubicin against Ehrlich carcinoma in female mice

Combining chemotherapy with radiotherapy represents a key oncology strategy for a more comprehensive attack toward cancers and improves treatment outcome for various solid tumor malignancies. The present study aims to evaluate the synergistic antitumor effect of γ-radiation together with gallium trichloride (GaCl3) and/or doxorubicin (DOX) against solid Ehrlich carcinoma (EC) in female mice. GaCl3 (300 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) was administered by gavages daily on the seventh day after tumor inoculation, while the cytotoxic drug DOX (4 mg/kg b.w.) was administered intraperitoneally once a week. Whole-body γ-radiation was carried out at a dose 2 Gy once a week. Biochemical analysis showed that solid EC induced a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content with a significant decrease in the antioxidant state (glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) activities) and depleted serum iron concentration compared to normal control. Moreover, a significant increase was observed in calcium level and caspase-3 concentrations in both serum and tumor homogenate respectively associated with a significant alteration in heart, liver, and kidney functions, as compared to control. Treatment of EC-bearing mice with GaCl3and/or DOX combined with γ-radiation exposure significantly reduced tumor volume and displayed a significant improvement in most studied markers which may indicate a synergistic effect of this combination against organ dysfunction and cellular injury. The histopathologically investigation showed that treatment of animals bearing EC with GaCl3and/or DOX with γ-radiation exposure showed shrinkage in tumor lesions and wide zones of apoptotic cells with signs of regenerations. It was concluded that the combination of GaCl3and/or DOX with γ-radiation exposure resulted in super-additive cytotoxic effects on treatment of cancer cells.

Effects of selenium supplementation on glucose homeostasis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in gestational diabetes: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To our knowledge, no reports are available indicating the effects of selenium supplementation on metabolic parameters, inflammatory factors, and oxidative stress in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of this study was to assess the effects of selenium supplementation on metabolic status in pregnant women with GDM who were not on oral hypoglycemic agents.

METHODS

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed with 70 women with GDM. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 200 μg selenium supplements as tablet (n = 35) or placebo (n = 35) for 6 wk from weeks 24 to 28 of gestation. Fasting plasma samples were taken at study baseline and after 6 wk of intervention to quantify related variables.

RESULTS

Selenium supplementation, compared with placebo, resulted in a significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose (-10.5 ± 11.9 versus +4.5 ± 12.9 mg/dL; P < 0.001), serum insulin levels (-1.98 ± 11.25 versus +5.26 ± 9.33 μIU/mL; P = 0.005), homeostasis model of assessment (HOMA)-insulin resistance (-0.84 ± 2.76 versus +1.47 ± 2.46; P < 0.001) and a significant increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0.008 ± 0.03 versus -0.01 ± 0.01; P = 0.009). Additionally, a significant decrease in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels (-791.8 ± 2271.8 versus +500.5 ± 2563.3 ng/mL; P = 0.02) was seen after the administration of selenium supplements compared with placebo. Additionally, we observed a significant elevation in plasma glutathione (+52.14 ± 58.31 versus -39.93 ± 153.52 μmol/L; P = 0.002) and a significant reduction in plasma malondialdehyde levels (-0.01 ± 0.36 versus +0.67 ± 1.90 μmol/L; P = 0.04) after consumption of selenium supplements compared with placebo. We did not find any significant effect of taking selenium supplements on HOMA β-cell function, lipid profiles, plasma nitric oxide, or total antioxidant capacity concentrations.

CONCLUSION

Selenium supplementation in pregnant women with GDM demonstrated beneficial effects on glucose metabolism, hs-CRP levels, and biomarkers of oxidative stress.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Houttuynia cordata Thunb Extract against Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Hepatic Damage in Mice

Houttuynia cordata Thunb (Saururaceae) is a traditional medicinal herb used to treat several disease symptoms. The present study was focused on the hepatoprotective effects of H. cordata ethyl acetate extract in experimental mice. Further the antioxidant potential of the extract was also evaluated to substantiate its hepatoprotective properties. Carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in mice was used to measure the serum biochemical parameters. Morphological changes in hepatocyte architecture were studied by haematoxylin and eosin staining. In vitro alkyl and hydroxyl free radical scavenging assays were performed to evaluate the antioxidant effect. Administration of H. cordata extract significantly reduced the elevated serum levels and regulated the altered levels of serum cholesterol in carbon tetrachloride-treated mice (P<0.05). The morphological changes in hepatocyte architecture were also reversed by H. cordata treatment. Further, the extract showed significant antioxidant actions by scavenging the alkyl and hydroxyl free radicals. The concentration of the extract necessary for 50% scavenging of alkyl and hydroxyl radicals was 15.5 and 410 μg/ml, respectively. H. cordata extract exhibited significant hepatoprotective property in carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. The strong antioxidant activities possessed by the extract might be responsible for such actions.

Immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective role of feed-added Berberis lycium in broiler chicks

BACKGROUND

A large number of plants and their isolates have been shown to potentiate immunity. Some plants exert anti-inflammatory and anti-stress effects, others hepatoprotective activity. In this study, 320 1-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into four major groups A, B, C and D and fed rations supplemented with 0, 15, 20 and 22.5 g Berberis lycium kg⁻¹ ration respectively. Each group was further divided into two subgroups, one vaccinated against Newcastle disease (ND) and infectious bursal disease (IBD), the other non-vaccinated. Antibody titre against IBD and ND, relative weight of lymphoid organs, post-challenge morbidity and mortality, serum hepatic enzymes and total serum protein were observed.

RESULTS

Group C had higher anti-IBD and anti-ND antibody titres. Relative bursa weight in groups C and D was higher until day 28, but birds in group C performed better at later stages of examination. Relative spleen weight was highest in group C. During initial stages there was no effect on relative thymus weight, but at later stages the effect was significant. Groups C and D performed similarly in terms of relative thymus weight. The birds were challenged to field IBD through intramuscular injection at a dose rate of 0.5 mL per bird. Post-challenge morbidity was lowest in groups C and D, while treatment significantly (P < 0.001) affected mortality amongst affected (morbid) birds. Levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were lowest in group C. Serum protein was similar in all groups and in both vaccinated and non-vaccinated broiler chicks.

CONCLUSION

Berberis lycium added to feed at 20 g kg⁻¹ is effective in improving immunity against ND and IBD as well as liver function in broiler chicks.

Effect of schisandrin B and sesamin mixture on CCl(4)-induced hepatic oxidative stress in rats

To study the effects of schisandrin B and sesamin mixture on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatic oxidative stress in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were randomly assigned to five groups: control group (olive oil injection), CCl(4) group (CCl(4) injection), silymarin group (CCl(4) injection combined with supplementation of silymarin, 7.5 mg/kg/day), low dose group (CCl(4) injection combined with supplementation of schisandrin B and sesamin mixture at a low dose, 43 mg/kg/day) and high dose group (CCl(4) injection combined with the supplementation of schisandrin B and sesamin mixture at a high dose, 215 mg/kg/day). The hepatic superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities of rats in the low dose and high dose groups were increased significantly compared with those in the CCl(4) group. The hepatic reduced glutathione concentration in the silymarin, low dose and high dose groups were increased significantly (48%, 45% and 53%, respectively) when compared with those of the CCl(4) group. In addition, the concentration of glutathione in the erythrocytes of the low dose group was significantly higher than the CCl(4) group by 25%. These results suggest that the schisandrin B-sesamin mixture exerted a hepatoprotective effect by improving the antioxidative capacity in rats under CCl(4)-induced hepatic oxidative stress.

Effect of Jiazhu on α-SMA and TGF-β1 expression in rats with hepatic fibrosis

AIM: To investigate the effect of Jiazhu on α-SMA and TGF-β1 expression in the liver of rats with hepatic fibrosis and its anti-fibrosis mechanism.

METHODS: A model of rat hepatic fibrosis was induced by injecting 40% CCl4, which was interfered with high [2.0 g/(kg·d)], medium [1.0 g/(kg·d)] and low doses [0.5 g/(kg·d)] of Jiazhu. Hepatic function and serum TGF-β1 were examined. Expression of α-SMA and TGF-β1 was detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.

RESULTS: Compared with the model group, the levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were significantly decreased in the high, medium and low Jiazhu dose groups. Total protein and albumin increased while serum bilirub and TGF-β1 were significantly reduced. The expression of α-SMA and TGF-β1 in liver tissue was decreased. The mRNA expression, stained area and gray scale of α-SMA and TGF-β1 in the high, medium and low Jiazhu dose groups were significantly different compared with the model group(α-SMA: 9.21 ± 1.12、12.63 ± 2.42、14.23 ± 1.57 vs 16.32 ± 2.14, P < 0.01、P < 0.01、P < 0.05; TGF-β1 mRNA: 5.58 ± 0.80、8.62 ± 1.16、11.92 ± 1.35 vs 14.57±1.59, P < 0.01、P < 0.01、P < 0.01), (dyeing area of α-SMA: 9.21% ± 1.29%、12.63% ± 1.44%、14.23% ± 1.41% vs 16.32% ± 1.75%, P < 0.01、P < 0.01、P < 0.05; dyeing area of TGF-β1: 5.31% ± 0.70%、8.37% ± 1.09%、11.92% ± 1.42% vs 14.47% ± 1.48%, P < 0.01、P < 0.01、P < 0.01), (gray scale of α-SMA: 91.29 ± 9.53、99.55 ± 11.83、107.18 ± 12.06 vs 116.44 ± 12.97, P < 0.01、P < 0.01、P < 0.05; gray scale of TGF-β1: 89.96 ± 9.64、106.92 ± 13.90、110.50 ± 12.91 vs 127.13 ± 14.88, P < 0.01、P < 0.01、P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Jiazhu can inhibit rat hepatic fibrosis induced by CCL₄.

High Selenium Reduces NF-κB-Regulated Gene Expression in Uninduced Human Prostate Cancer Cells

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) induces expression of antiapoptotic and pro-inflammatory genes and is constitutively activated in prostate cancer. We tested the hypothesis that a biologically and physiologically relevant form and concentration of selenium (Se) may alter NF-kappa B activation in early prostate cancer cells in the absence of exogenously added inducers of the NF-kappaB pathway. LNCaP cells were cultured in medium without added tumor necrosis factor alpha or lipopolysaccharide but with methylseleninic acid added to provide final concentrations of Se of 30 nM-7.6 microM. Compared to 50 nM Se, treatment with 7.6 microM Se virtually eliminated NF-kappaB binding to its DNA response element and reduced transcription rates and mRNA levels by half for NF-kappaB-regulated genes. There were no differences due to Se in tyrosine phosphorylation, inhibitor of kappa B alpha (I kappa B alpha) levels, or NF-kappaB translocation from cytosol to nucleus. The observation in these basal, unstimulated cells of altered NF-kappaB binding to DNA in the absence of effects on the NF-kappaB activation pathway suggests an interaction of Se with the NF-kappaB protein or an effect on recruitment of NF-kappaB coactivators or corepressors. Inhibition of transcription factor binding and anti-apoptotic gene expression may be one mechanism for the chemopreventive effects of Se against prostate cancer.

Therapeutic role of ethanolic extract of Boschniakia Rossica in dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis in rats

AIM: To study the effect of Boschniakia Rossica ethanolic extract (BREE) in rat liver fibrosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN).

METHODS: Hepatic fibrosis was induced by DMN administration intraperitoneally. Thirty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group (GA, n = 10), hepatic fibrosis model group (GB, n = 15) and BREE treatment group (GC, n = 10). From the 1st to 3rd wk, rats in GB and GC were treated with DMN (10 g/L) intraperitoneally in the first three days of each week, while rats in GA were treated with normal saline. From the 4th to 7th wk, rats in GC were treated with 50 g/L BREE (10 mL/kg) intragastrically each day, while rats in GA and GB were treated with normal saline. At the 1st d of the 8th wk, all the rats were sacrificed and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), hyaluronic acid (HA), type Ⅲ procollagen (PC Ⅲ), type Ⅳ collagen (Ⅳ.C) in serum were examined. The expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in liver was also analyzed.

RESULTS: The activity of SOD (98.58±17.36 kNU/L, 9.99±1.69 kNU/L) and GSH-PX (117.37±45.24 U, 12.43±2.99 U) in serum and liver tissue in GB was significantly lower than those in GA (SOD: 129.05±18.55 kNU/L, 19.94±5.87 kNU/L; GSH-PX: 173.79±25.76 U, 22.66±6.99 U)(P < 0.01), while the contents of MDA in GB (10.87±1.23 μmol/L, 1.38±0.37 μmol/L) were higher than those in GA (6.63±1.05 μmol/L, 0.91±0.25 μmol/L)(P < 0.01). The concentrations of serum HA (394.83±103.28 μg/L), PC Ⅲ (13.30±1.88 mg/L) and Ⅳ.C (2.43±1.32 mg/L) in GB were markedly higher than those in GA (186.54±39.87 μg/L, 6.99±1.55 mg/L, 1.18±0.79 mg/L, P < 0.01). The concentrations of serum HA (115.87±13.96 μg/L), PC Ⅲ (6.67±1.86 mg/L) and Ⅳ.C (1.62±0.50 mg/L) in GC were significantly lower than those in GB (P < 0.05), while the activity of SOD (134.29±21.93 kNU/L, 18.99±6.86 kNU/L) and GSH-PX (171.82±37.50 U, 23.57±7.19 U) in serum and liver tissue increased significantly (P < 0.01). The contents of MDA in serum and tissue in GC (8.68±2.32 μmol/L, 0.97±0.22 μmol/L) was lower than those in GB (10.87±1.23, 1.38±0.37 μmol/L)(P < 0.01). The fibrosis index and α-SMA expression in liver decreased in GC too.

CONCLUSION: BREE plays an anti-fibrogenic role in the DMN-induced liver fibrosis of rat by its anti-oxidative effect and inhibition on hepatic stellate cells activation.

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Expression of TGF-b1 and smad4 mRNA in chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and para-cancerous tissues, and their significance

AIM: Transforming growth factor b1 (TGF-b1) signaling pathway is involved in a variety of important cellular regulative functions. including cell growth, differentiation, adhesion migration, extracellular matrix formation and immune regulation. The study was aimed to evaluate the relationship and mechanism of transforming growth factor b1 protein and smad4 mRNA in formation and development of fibrosis by detecting the expression of transforming growth factor b1 protein and smad4 mRNA in liver biopsy of chronic virus hepatitis, hepatocirrhosis and para-cancerous tissues.

METHODS: In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were used in 10 cases of normal liver tissue, 17 cases of para-cancerous tissues, 70 cases of chronic virus hepatitis and hepatocirrhosis.

RESULTS: Increased expression of TGF-b1 and smad4 mRNA in the intermediate degree of chronic virus hepatitis and hepatocirrhosis; the positive rates of TGF-b1 and smad4 mRNA were obviously higher in the chronic virus hepatitis and hepatocirrhosis (83.3%, 87.0% and 87.5%, 87.0%) than those in the normal liver (20.0%, 20.0%), the expression of TGF-b1 and smad4 mRNA had a significant relationship between the intermediate degree of chronic virus hepatitis, hepatocirrhosis and the normal liver (^b3P <0.01, χ² = 12.3980; ^b4P <0.01, χ² = 14.0 609; ^b1P <0.01, χ² = 14.6 953; ^b2P <0.01, χ² = 14.0 609); the expression of TGF-b1 and smad4 mRNA in pare-cancerous tissues were significantly lower than that in the chronic virus hepatitis and hepatocirrhosis, as comparied with with the normal liver; the expression of TGF-b1 and smad4 mRNA reached the highest level at the stage S3, and decreased slightly at the stage S4, with positive relevance (χ² = 4.5 064, P = 0.0 336, r = 0.2 668), in which most of the positive cells were distributed surroundings of portal tract, central vein, and the sinus.

CONCLUSION: TGF-b/smad pathway plays a significant role in formation and development of hepatic fibrosis, and the localization of TGF-b1 and smad4mRNA in hepatic tissue section can be used to evaluate accurately situation and tendency of hepatic fibrosis.