Tocopheryl quinone improves non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) associated dysmetabolism of glucose and lipids by upregulating the expression of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) via restoring the balance of intestinal flora in rats.

CONTEXT: Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and α-tocopheryl quinone can promote the growth of intestinal flora and affect the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). OBJECTIVE: This study determines the molecular mechanism of the effect of tocopheryl quinone in the treatment of high cholesterol and cholate diet (HFCC)-induced NASH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats grouped as lean control (LC), LC + tocopheryl quinone (1 mL of 3 × 106 dpm tocopheryl quinone via i.p. injection), HFCC (5.1 kcal/g of fat diet), and HFCC + tocopheryl quinone. Profiles of intestinal flora were assessed by 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid-based analysis. Levels and activity of GLP-1, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in intestinal tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: HFCC rats presented higher levels of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), while tocopheryl quinone reversed the effects of HFCC. HFCC dysregulated malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Vitamin E, 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HODE) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and the effects of HFCC were reversed by the treatment of tocopheryl quinone. Also, GLP-1 in the HFCC group was down-regulated while the IL-6 and TNF-α activity and endotoxins were all up-regulated. HFCC significantly decreased the number and diversity of bacteria, whereas tocopheryl quinone substantially restored the balance of intestinal flora and promoted the growth of both Bacteroides and Lactobacilli in vitro. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: α-Tocopheryl quinone relieves HFCC-induced NASH via regulating oxidative stress, GLP-1 expression, intestinal flora imbalance, and the metabolism of glucose and lipids.

[Effect of umbilical sticking therapy with qitou xiaogu plaster in treating liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of umbilical sticking therapy (UST) with Qitou Xiaugu Plaster (QXP) on hemodynamics of portal system in patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients of liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension were assigned to two groups. On the basis of conventional therapy, UST was applied in the 66 patients in treated group, which was exchanged once every 3 days with an interval of 1-day rest. The 54 patients in the control group were orally administered with propanolol. The therapeutic course for both groups was 1 month. Before and after treatment, the hemodynamic changes in portal or splenic veins were observed by color Doppler ultrasonograph, and the changes of liver function, blood coagulation and patients' subjective symptoms were observed as well. RESULTS: After treatment, portal vein diameter and splenic vein diameter significantly decreased (P < 0.05, portal venous flow velocity and splenic venous flow velocity apparently increased (P < 0.05), and portal venous flow apparently decreased in both groups (P < 0.05), while no significant change was found in the splenic venous flow (P > 0.05). The liver function and blood coagulation indexes in both groups were improved. The improvement of clinical symptoms in the treated group was superior to that in the control group. CONCLUSION: UST with QXP could decrease the portal vein pressure in a short time, with the therapeutic effect comparable to propanolol, and with no adverse reaction.

[Clinical observation on effect of xuefu zhuyu decoction in treating patients with liver fibrosis caused by chronic hepatitis B].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction (XZD) on the chronic hepatitis B caused liver fibrosis (CHBLF) and the portal hemodynamics. METHODS: Sixty patients with CHBLF were randomly divided into two groups, the 28 patients in the treated group were treated with oral intake of XZD and conventional liver protective treatment, the 32 patients in the control group were treated with conventional liver protective treatment alone, the therapeutic course for both groups was 3 months. Serum liver fibrosis criteria and portal dynamical criteria were observed before and after treatment. RESULTS: Comparison of the remarkable effective rate between the two groups showed significant difference. After treatment, in the treated group, all the serum criteria for liver fibrosis (HA, PCIII, LN) and criteria for portal trunk hemodynamics, such as mean velocity and quantity of blood flow were significantly improved (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), as compared with those in the control group, the difference was also significant (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: XZD has definite therapeutic effect on chronic hepatitis B caused liver fibrosis.