Angiogenesis function of astragaloside IV in rats with myocardial infarction via PKD1-HDAC5-VEGF pathway / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of Astragaloside IV (AS-IV)in rats with myocardial infarction.METHODS The myocardial infarction model was established by ligation of the left anterior descending artery. The rats were randomly divided into sham, DMSO, model group, AS-IV and CID755673 groups. The rats were sacrificed 4 weeks later, and segmental heart samples were used for hematoxylin and eosin staining and masson staining. The expression of PKD1, HDAC5 and VEGF were analyzed using immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription poly-merase chain reaction and western blot. RESULTS Compared with the sham operation and DMSO groups,morphology of myocardium in model group was disordered,accompanied with necrotic myocar-dial cells and obvious collagen tissues. After treatment with AS-IV, the morphology of myocardium was obviously improved, and the number of new blood vessels increased significantly. However, after treatment with CID755673, the myocardial tissue of rats became disordered again, the necrotic cells increased, and some vessels closed. The expression levels of PKD1, HDAC5 and VEGF mRNA and protein in myocardial tissue of model group were significantly lower than the other four groups(P<0.05), whereas these levels in the AS-IV group were significantly higher than those in the other four groups (P<0.01). Additionally, the CID755673 group had significantly higher levels of PKD1, HDAC5 and VEGF mRNA and protein than the sham group, DMSO group and model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION AS-IV may partly promote the angiogenesis of myocardial tissue in rats with myocardial infarction via the PKD1-HDAC5-VEGF pathway.

Astragaloside IV promotes angiogenesis in rats with myocardial infarction via PKD1-HDAC5-VEGF pathway / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the angiogenic effect and mechanisms of astragaloside IV(AS-IV)in rats with myocardial infarction via protein kinase D 1(PKD1)-histone deacetylase 5(HDAC5)-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)signaling pathway.METHODS:The classic model of myocardial infarction by ligation of the left anterior de-scending coronary artery was replicated,and the rats were randomly divided into model group,AS-IV group,and AS-IV+CID755673(PKD1 inhibitor)group.The sham operation control group and DMSO control group were also set up.All the rats were given intravenous injection via caudal vein.The rats were sacrificed 4 weeks later,and segmental heart samples were used for HE staining and Masson staining.The expression of PKD1,HDAC5 and VEGF was analyzed by immunohis-tochemistry,RT-PCR and and Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with sham operation group and DMSO group,the myo-cardium in model group showed disordered arrangement, accompanied with necrotic myocardial cells and obvious fibrosis tissue.After treatment with AS-IV,the morphological changes of myocardium were obviously improved,and the number of new blood vessels increased significantly.However,after treatment with AS-IV+CID755673,the myocardial tissues of the rats became disordered again,with increased necrotic cells and some closed vessels.The mRNA and protein expression of PKD1,HDAC5 and VEGF in myocardial tissue in model group was significantly lower than that in sham operation and DMSO groups(P<0.05).The expression in AS-IV group was significantly higher than that in model group(P<0.01), while that in AS-IV+CID755673 group was significantly lower than that in AS-IV group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:AS-IV promotes the angiogenesis of myocardial tissues in the rats after myocardial infarction partly by regulating the PKD 1-HDAC5-VEGF signaling pathway.

Improvement and Evaluation on Bisulfite Modification of DNA for DNA Methylation Detection / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a rapid and convenient method of DNA modification by bisulfite sodium for the detection of DNA methylation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Through increasing the bisulfite sodium concentration and the temperature of treatment, cutting down the modification time, besides using glassmilk to adsorb the DNA in the purification and recovery, to improve the methods of DNA modification. Efficiency of cytosine converted to thymine in MAGE-A3 gene and DAP-K gene fragments were analyzed by bisulfite sequencing PCR in order to evaluate the DNA modification effect among the improved method, traditional method and kit method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The operating time of test was shortened to about 3 hours by the improved method; conversion rate of unmethylated cytosine to thymine was over 99%; compared with the traditional method and kit method, there was no significant difference (χ(2) = 0.0564, P > 0.05); the improved method was only for the unmethylated cytosine conversion modification, and there was no significant difference in process of methylated cytosine converted to thymine comparing with the traditional method (χ(2) = 0.0149, P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The improved method has high efficiency of DNA modification and has no significant effect on excessive modification;meanwhile, it has many advantages such as time-saving and easy to operate etc.</p>

Value of DAPK Gene Methylation Patterns in the Diagnosis of Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen the differential methylation patterns of tumor suppressor gene DAPK and evaluate its value as a biomarker for the diagnosis of leukemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The methylation status of DAPK gene promoter's CpG island was analyzed in the genomes of normal human white blood cells and HL-60, U937 and Jurkat cell lines by bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP). The effectiveness of differential methylation patterns of DAPK gene for diagnosis of leukemia was verified in the leukemia cell lines and peripheral blood samples by methylation specific PCR (MSP).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The methylation pattern of DAPK gene in different cell genomes displayed that the degree of unmethylation in normal cell genome was higher than that of leukemia cell lines. The differential CpG sites were found and could be used to differentiate HL-60 and the other 3 cell lines by MSP. Meanwhile, the differential methylation patterns in clinical specimens could distinguish acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) and other types of leukemia by MSP. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 59.1%, 100% and 82.7% respectively. No relationship was found between MSP diagnosis results and clinical pathological typing.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The differential methylation patterns of DAPK gene as potential tumor biomarker for diagnosis of leukemia can enrich the means of diagnosis of leukemia, provide idea and basis for finding all kinds of tumor's DNA methylation biomarkers in the future.</p>

Effect of Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo Recipe on Peripheral Blood Thl7/Treg Cell Balance in Systemic Sclerosis Patients / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo Recipe (WYHZTLR) on the proportion of T helper 17 cells (Thl7)/regulatory T cells (Treg), and serum levels of IL-17 and IL-10 in peripheral blood of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with yang qi insufficiency and turbidity induced collaterals blockage syndrome (YQITICBS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 82 SSc patients were randomly assigned to the Western medicine group (as the control group) and the integrated Chinese and Western medicine group (as the treatment group), 41 cases in each group. All patients took methotrexate (MTX) tablet and prednisone tablet. Patients in the treatment group additionally took WYHZTLR. The treatment course for all was six consecutive months. Besides, another 70 healthy volunteers were recruited as a healthy control group (as the healthy group). Percentages of Th17 and Treg in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-17, IL-10, von Willebrand factor (vWF), aminoterminal propeptide of type l procollagen (PIIINP), and cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen ( I CTP) were measured by double antibody sandwich ELISA. The correlations between Th17/Treg and levels of vWF, PIIINP, I CTP, skin score, and disease activity index were observed by Pearson correlation analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The percentage of Th17 in peripheral blood, ratios of Th17/Treg, and the serum level of IL-17 were significantly higher, but the percentage of Treg and the serum level of IL-10 were significantly lower in SSc patients, when compared with those of the healthy group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the same group before treatment, the percentage of Thl7, ratios of Thl7/Treg, and levels of IL-17, vWF, and PIIINP all decreased in the two groups after treatment (P <0.05, P <0.01), but the percentage of Treg and the IL-10 level increased (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Meanwhile,the level of I CTP was higher in the treatment group after treatment (P <0. 05). The improvement of all indices except the percentage of Th17 was more obvious in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). The ratio of Th17/Treg was positively correlated with levels of vWF, PIIINP, skin score, and disease activity index before and after treatment respectively (P <0. 01), but with no obvious correlation with the level of I CTP (P >0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>WYHZTLR could achieve its therapeutic effect on SSc patients by regulating Th17/Treg imbalance, lowering levels of vWF and PIIINP, and elevating the level of I CTP.</p>

Effects of Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo Recipe Containing Serum on Transforming Growth Factor β1/ Smad Signaling Pathway of Skin Fibroblasts in Systemic Sclerosis / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo Recipe (WYHZTLR) containing serum on transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling pathway of skin fibroblasts in systemic sclerosis (SSc).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 36 SSc patients were randomly assigned to Chinese medicine (CM) group, Western medicine (WM) group, and integrative medicine (IM) group according to random digit table, 12 in each group. Patients in the CM group took WYHZTLR decoction (one dose per day). Patients in the WM group took penicillamine tablet (0. 125 g each time, bid) and Prednisone Acetate Tablet (PAT 20 mg, qd). Patients in the IM group took penicillamine, PAT, and WYHZTLR decoction (in the same dosage of corresponding drugs as aforesaid). All patients were treated for one month to get drug containing serum. Besides, 10 untreated SSc patients' serum was taken as the control group. Healthy subjects' skin fibroblasts were originated from healthy skin tissue of the upper arms of 2 female patients undergoing plastic surgery. Corresponding serum of each group was added in the culture system of SSc patients' and healthy subjects' dermal fibroblasts respectively. Expression levels of TGF-β1 receptor type I (TGF-β1 RI), TGF-β1 receptor II (TGF-β1 RII), p-Smad2/3 and Smad7 protein were examined by Western blot. Expression levels of collagen type I and collagen type III (Col-I, Col-III) mRNA were examined by reverse transcription PCR. Contents of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in the supernatant of SSc, skin fibroblasts were examined by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, expression levels of TGF-β1 R I and p-Smad2/3 protein significantly decreased, but expression levels of Smad7 protein significantly increased in skin fibroblasts of SSc patients and healthy subjects of WM, CM, and IM groups (P <0.05, P <0. 01). Meanwhile, the expression level of TGF-β1 RII decreased in the IM group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the WM group, expression levels of TGF-β1 RI and p-Smad2/ 3 protein significantly decreased, but that of Srnad7 protein significantly increased in IM groups (P <0. 01). mRNA expression levels of Col-I and Col-II in SSc skin fibroblasts significantly decreased more in WM, CM, and IM groups than in the control group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Besides, the expression level of Col-III mRNA was significantly lower in the IM group than in the WM group (P <0.01). Compared with the control group, serum levels of MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios increased more obviously in WM, CM, and IM groups (P <0.05, P <0.01). But expression levels of TIMP-1 decreased significantly in CM and IM groups (P <0.01). Expression levels of MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios increased more in the IM group than in the WM group (P <0. 01). Expression levels of TIMP-1 decreased more in CM and IM groups than in the WM group (P <0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>WYHZTLR containing serum could reduce expression levels of Col-I and Col-III possibly through regulating key signal molecules, such as TGF-β1 RI, p-Smad2/3, and Smad7 in TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway of SSc skin fibroblasts, and inhibiting transduction of TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.</p>