Role of haematopoietic cell-specific protein 1-associated protein X-1 gene in lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis of human dermal fibroblasts.

Wound healing may be disrupted by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and excessive oxidative stress, which can lead to undesirable consequences. The haematopoietic cell-specific protein 1-associated protein X-1 (HAX-1) is a mitochondrial matrix protein that regulates mitochondrial function. This study aimed to comprehensively identify the role of HAX-1 in the inhibition of LPS-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). HAX-1 expression was assessed in the HDF-a cell line using real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining. The viability, migration, and apoptosis of HDF-a cells were evaluated using the water-soluble tetrazolium-1 assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Mitochondrial function was evaluated based on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Our results demonstrated that LPS stimulation markedly repressed HAX-1 expression in HDFs and silencing of HAX-1 led to mitochondrial ROS accumulation, ΔΨm disruption, and abnormal mitochondrial morphology. Accordingly, overexpression of HAX-1 or administration of metformin enhanced mitochondrial fusion and normalized mitochondrial dynamics, thereby reversing LPS-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, fibroblast apoptosis, and viability and migration inhibition in HDF-a cells. These data support a mechanism wherein HAX-1 plays a crucial role in LPS-induced fibroblast apoptosis in a mitochondria-dependent manner.

Literature-based analysis on relationship of symptoms, drugs and therapies in treatment of intestinal diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical articles published in the past 30 years using the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory of the lung being connected with large intestine to treat intestinal diseases. We also analyzed the relationship between symptoms, drugs and therapies with data-excavating technology to aid management. METHODS: After retrieving relevant clinical articles, we set up a database, used Microsoft Structured Query Language Server 2005 Analysis Services as a data-excavating tool, and applied the association rule to study the relationship between the symptoms, drugs and therapies of intestinal diseases. RESULTS: The key symptoms of dyschesia, constipation, abdominal fullness, fatigue and pale tongue could be treated with Kuxingren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum), Huangqi (Radix Astragali Mongolici) and Gualou (Fructus et Semen Trichosanthis) to invigorate Qi and moisten the intestine. Among these agents, Kuxingren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum) was used most frequently. Clearing Fu-organs was the most prevalent therapy for abdominal fullness, dyschesia, constipation and red tongue. Clearing Fu-organs could be achieved with Kuxingren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum) and Gua-lou (Fructus et Semen Trichosanthis), whereas Qi could be invigorated using Huangqi (Radix Astragali Mongolici), Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) and Kuxingren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum). Moistening the intestine was possible with Kuxingren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum), Huomaren (Fructus Cannabis) and Jiegeng (Radix Platycodi). Also, moistening the lungs was done with Kuxingren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum), ventilating the lungs with Kuxingren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum) and Gualou (Fructus et Semen Trichosanthis), and nourishing the lungs with Huangqi (Radix Astragali Mongolici), Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) and Kuxingren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum). These data demonstrated that Kuxingren (Semen ArmeniacaeAmarum) was a key agent. CONCLUSION: Our analyses of the literature showed clear relationships between symptoms (constipation, dyschesia, abdominal fullness), drugs [Gualou (Fructus et Semen Trichosanthis), Kuxingren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum), Huangqi (Radix Astragali Mongolici)] and therapies (moistening the intestine, clearing Fu-organs, invigorating Qi, ventilating the lungs).

Analysis on clinically drug-used law for lung-intestine related diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the application laws of clinical drugs by descriptive statistical method with the clinical literatures guided by "lung being connected with large intestine" used as the object. METHODS: Retrieve publicly published clinical literatures about "lung being connected with large intestine" in recent 30 years, establish the database of clinical literature, and study on the clinically drug-used laws by descriptive statistical analytic method. RESULTS: The common high frequent drugs used for the lung-intestine related diseases were Gualou (Ructus Trichsanthis), Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma), Kuxingren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum), Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), Houpu (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis), Zhishi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus). For the different clinical syndrome types, in the commonly used drugs there were different characteristics, reflecting the principle of TCM syndrome differentiation treatment. CONCLUSION: The common high frequent drugs used for the lung-intestine related diseases are Gualou (Fructus Trichsanthis), Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma), Kuxingren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum), Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), Houpu (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis), Zhishi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus), which are commonly-used drugs for the lung-intestine related diseases, with differences for different syndrome types.

[Research on blockprinted versions of Yokucho collected at the libraries in mainland China].

There are several blockprinted versions of Yokucho written by Yoshimasu Todo, a representative of the Koho School, spread into inland China. By comparison, it is found that all these versions use the printing blocks of "Borotei's collected blocks". The descriptions for all these versions reveal as follows: Anhui Provincial Library: the 5(th) year of Yisi (1785) of Japanese Tenmei reign, a blockprinted edition of Langkha Bookstore, Yoshidashokento from the Borotei blocks; National Library: the 5(th) year of Yisi (1785) of Japanese Teimei reign, a blockprinted edition of Hei'an Bookstore (Royal Bookstore), Siwento Bookstore from the Borotei blocks; Library of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences: the 9(th) year of Renshen (1812) of Japanese Bunkha reign, a blockprinted edition of Kyoto Bookstore, Langkha Bookstore, Yoshidashoken Bookstore from the Borotei blocks; Library of Aademia Sinica: (1) the 9(th) year of Renshen (1812) of Japanese Bunkha reign, Khaga-wo Bookstore, Langkha Bookstore from the Borotei blocks; (2) the 5(th) year of Yisi (1785) of Japanese Tenmei reign, a blockprinted edition of Hei'an Bookstore (Royal Bookstore), Siwento Bookstore from the Borotei blocks; Library of Life Sciences, Shanghai Information Center for Life Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences: the 9(th) year of Renshen (1812) of Japanese Bunkha reign, a blockprinted edition of Kyoto Bookstore, Langkha Bookstore, Yoshidashoken Bookstore Borotei blocks.