Psoralen and isopsoralen improve lipid metabolism disorder via inhibition of NF-κB activation in LO2 cells / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this paper was to investigate the mechanism and effect of psoralen and isopsoralen in the treatment of lipid accumulation in LO2 cells. Human LO2 cells nonalcoholic fatty liver models were established by using palmitic acid( PA). Then psoralen and isopsoralen were administered for intervention. Intracellular triglyceride( TG) and total cholesterol( TC) content,the cell supernatant alanine aminotransferase( ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase( AST) levels were determined by enzyme method. Cell supernatant proinflammatory cytokines( IL-6,TNF-α) and chemokines( IL-8,MCP-1) were determined by ELISA method. Western blot method was conducted to detect the protein expression of intracellular nuclear factor( NF-κB) p65 phosphorylation( p-p65),nonphosphorylated protein( p65),and transforming factor TGF-β1. Result showed that as compared with the model group,intracellular TG and TC levels,the cell supernatant ALT and AST levels,proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines were decreased( P < 0. 01,P <0. 05); the p-p65/p65 ratio and TGF-β1 protein expression were also significantly decreased( P< 0. 01,P< 0. 05) in psoralen intervention group. As compared with the model cells,intracellular TG content had no significant changes,but all the other indexes were reduced( P<0. 01,P<0. 05) in the cells of isopsoralen intervention group. Psoralen exhibited better effect than isopsoralen( P< 0. 01,P<0. 05). It is concluded that psoralen could improve the adipogenesis of LO2 cells induced by PA; both psoralen and isopsoralen are effective in ameliorating LO2 cells injury induced by PA,reducing inflammation via inhibiting the activation of NF-κB and down-regulating the expression of TGF-β1.

Effect of Psoralea corylifolia in treating fatty liver disease in juvenal mouse by inhibiting hepatic NF-κB activation / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the mechanism and effect of Psoralea corylifolia(PC) in the treatment of NAFLD in juvenal mice. The NAFLD model in juvenal mice was established by feeding high-fat diet. Then PC herbal granules (at low and high dose) were administered for 5 weeks. Blood glucose (FBG, PG-1 h/2 h), blood lipid (TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C), fasting insulin, liver function (ALT, AST) were examined. HOMA-IR was calculated. Hepatic histological changes were observed. The content of TG, inflammatory factor (TNF-α, IL-8) and protein expressions of CD44, NF-κB p65, p-NF-κB p65 in hepatic tissues were determined. The ratio of p-NF-κB p65 to NF-κB p65 (p-p65/p65) was calculated. The result showed that compared with the model group, both PC treatment groups showed reduction in hepatic steatosis, inflammatory cell infiltration and fibroplasia in portal area. HOMA-IR, ALT, AST, FBG, PG-2 h, TC, TG, LDL-C concentrations and hepatic TG content were also significantly decreased, with the reduction of TNF-α, IL-8 contents, CD44 expression and p-p65/p65 ratio in hepatic tissues (P<0.01). High-dose PC group had a better effect than low-dose group (P<0.01, P<0.05). In conclusion, PC is effective in treating hepatic injury, glucolipid metabolism disturbances and fibrosis in juvenal NAFLD mice. The mechanism may be related to inhibition of inflammation and down-regulation of the activation of hepatic NF-κB.

Clinical observation of cholestatic liver disease caused by cytomegalovirus infection treated by lidan mixture: a case report of 120 infants / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effects of Linda Mixture (LM) on cholestatic liver diseases caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 240 CMV infected cholestatic liver diseases infants, who were hospitalized at the Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wuhan Children's Hospital from January 2008 to June 2011, were randomly assigned to the treatment group (120 cases) and the control group (120 cases). Patients in the treatment group were treated by LM combined ganciclovir, while those in the control group were treated by ganciclovir alone. The therapeutic course was 2 months. The patients were assigned to 3 sub-groups according to the quantification standards of symptoms and signs, i. e., the No. 1 treatment group (mild, 30 cases), the No. 1 control group (mild, 30 cases), the No. 2 treatment group (moderate, 30 cases), the No. 2 control group (moderate, 30 cases), the No. 3 treatment group (severe, 30 cases), the No. 1 control group (severe, 30 cases). The clinically cured rate and the total effective rate, the jaundice subside time, the retraction time for Gan and Pi, the body weight growth, the indices of the liver function, and lab indices of CMV infection were observed before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment the cured rate was 77.50% and the total effective rate was 88.33% in the treatment group, while they were 60.83% and 76.67% in the control group. There was statistical difference between the two group (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was some improvement in the jaundice subside time, the retraction time for Gan and Pi, the body weight growth, the indices of the liver function in the two groups. Better results were obtained in the treatment group than in the control group, showing statistical difference (P<0.05, P<0.01). The lab indices of CMV infection showed negative to some degrees. The negative rates of serum IgM (83.54% in the treatment group and 63. 64% in the control group) and the serum CMVDNA (84.52% in the treatment group and 67.47% in the control group) were better in the treatment group than in the control group, showing statistical difference (P<0.01). There was no obvious difference in the negative rate of CMV antigen in urine between the two groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>LM combined ganciclovir therapy showed definite effects in treating cholestatic liver diseases caused by CMV infection. Early treatment for severe infants might change their prognosis. LM also could alleviate adverse reactions during the therapeutic course.</p>