Genomewide DNA Methylation Responses in Patients with β-Thalassemia Treated with Yisui Shengxue Granules () / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To examine the clinical effects of Yisui Shengxue Granules () in the treatment of β-thalassemia and explore its mechanism on DNA methylation levels.@*METHODS@#A randomized placebo-controlled double-blinded trial was conducted. Forty patients with β-thalassemia were recruited and distributed randomly by envelope method into an experimental group and a control group, 20 patients in each group. The patients were given Yisui Shengxue Granules in the experimental group and placebo in the control group (12 g/bag three times a day) during a 3-month intervention. Before and after 1, 2, and 3 months of treatment, peripheral intravenous blood was sampled, and blood parameters such as hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBCs), reticulocytes (Ret), and fetal hemoglobin (HbF) were analyzed. Mononuclear cells from 5 patients, who showed an obvious treatment effect, were isolated by density gradient centrifugation. DNA methylation was analyzed using an Affymetrix USA GeneChip Human Promoter 1.0 Array and Input-promoter 1.0.@*RESULTS@#Compared with pre-treatment, there was an obvious increase in Hb and RBCs counts after 1, 2, and 3 months in the experiment group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Meanwhile, HbF increased from the 2nd to the 3rd month (P<0.05). In the control group, Hb and RBCs showed no obvioas change. After 3-month treatment, DNA methylation results from 5 patients revealed that there were 24 hypomethylated genes and 3,685 hypermethylated genes compared with pre-treatment. Genes of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) and Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) revealed the most relations with other genes (degree: 21) and genes of 1-phosphatidylinositol-4, 5-bisphosphate phosphodiesterase gamma 2 (PLCG2) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 10 (MAPK10) showed a stronger intermediary role (betweenness centrality=0.04).@*CONCLUSIONS@#JAK3 and MAPK10 are two key genes in bone marrow and the lymphatic system, and JAK3 is likely to be related to hematopoietic cytokines in the process of early hematopoiesis. (Registration No. NCT01549080).

Bushen Qiangji Granule () medicated serum inhibits osteogenic differentiation of fibroblasts in ankylosing spondylitis by inhibiting the BMP/Smads signal pathway in vitro / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of Bushen Qiangji Granule (, BSQJ) in restraining the osteogenic differentiation of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) fifibroblasts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Hip joint capsules were obtained from AS patients (n=10) receiving total hip replacement and healthy hip joint capsules from patients with hip fracture (n=10) receiving surgery as a control. Finite fifibroblast lines were established from these tissue samples to observe the effect of BSQJ on suppressing osteogenic differentiation of fifibroblasts. The expression of osteogenic marker gene corebinding factor a1 (Cbfa1) and Smad family proteins were examined by Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mRNA expression level of Cbfa1 was significantly higher in AS fibroblasts than that in normal fibroblasts and the expression of pSmad1, pSmad5, Smad4 and Cbfa1 in AS fibroblasts was also higher, demonstrating the activation of the BMP/Smads signal pathway in AS fifibroblasts. BSQJ-medicated serum not only restrained the mRNA and protein expression levels of Cbfa1 and inhibited protein expression level of Smad4 but also decreased the expression quantities of pSmad1 and pSmad5.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>BSQJ can inhibit osteogenic differentiation of AS fifibroblasts in vitro by suppressing the activation of the BMP/Smads signal pathway. This may be the important molecular mechanism of BSQJ in regulating AS ossifification.</p>

Effect of Yisui Shengxue Granule () on the oxidative damage of erythrocytes from patients with hemoglobin H disease / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Yisui Shengxue Granule (, YSSXG), a complex Chinese medicine, on the oxidative damage of erythrocytes from patients with hemoglobin H (HbH) disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-two patients with HbH disease and 22 healthy volunteers were observed. YSSXG was given to patients with HbH disease for 3 months. Before and after the 3-month treatment, blood parameters [hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBCs), and reticulocyte percent (Ret)] were examined; inclusion bodies in erythrocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM); activities of antioxidant defense enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (Cat)] and erythrocyte membrane malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In patients with HbH disease, measured values of RBC and Hb obtained from the first to the third months after treatment with YSSXG were significantly higher than before treatment (P<0.01). Measured values of Ret from the second to the third months after treatment were significantly lower than before treatment (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Prior to treatment with YSSXG, TEM images of RBCs showed the presence of numerous inclusion bodies. After treatment with YSSXG, the amount and volume of inclusion bodies decreased. Treatment with YSSXG also led to a significant increase in SOD activity (P<0.01), a decrease in Cat activity (P<0.01), and no significant differences in GSHPx activity (P>0.05) or MDA concentration (P>0.05). However, compared with the healthy counterparts, SOD, GSH-Px, and Cat activities presented at high levels (P<0.01) both before and after treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>YSSXG could improve the degree of hemolysis and anemia in patients with HbH disease. The mechanism may be related to its antioxidative effects, which could elevate the activity of total SOD in erythrocytes and efficiently inhibit the oxidative precipitation of β-globin chains.</p>

Effect on expression of mice alpha-hemoglobin stabilizing protein in different developmental stages treated with Yisui Shengxue granules / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the effect of Yisui Shengxue granules on expression of alpha-hemoglobin stabilizing protein (AHSP) mRNA in different developmental stages mice.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The total RNAs were extracted from the bone marrow karyocyte of normal adult mice and the karyocyte of fetus liver and fetus spleen in pregnanted mice (pregnanted 21 days) and fetal mice (pregnanted 14 days). The expression level of AHSP mRNA in different developmental stages mice interfered with Yisui Shengxue granules was measured by real-time PCR.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The intervention of Yisui Shengxue granules could significantly up-regulated the expression levels of AHSP mRNA in normal adult mice.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The result revealed that one of possible molecular mechanism of the effects caused by Yisui Shengxue granules is that it can promote the AHSP gene expression, reduce the free a-globin deposit, then prevent the poison to erythrocyte and decrease the haemolysis.</p>

Study on the screening program of thalassemia and the genotype and hematologic parameter among people of productive age in a village, Nanning Guangxi / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the carrier ratio and the genotype of thalassemia in the rural people of reproductive age in Nanning, and to analyze the characteristics of hematologic parameter in thalassemia carriers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>2044 cases of productive age youths were detected with hemoglobin autoanalyse-Variant (HPLC) and Cell Dyn 1700 automatic hemocyte analysator. Among them,430 cases (75 couples randomly selected in thalassemia screening, 140 couples who were told that one or both of them were positive for thalassemia phenotype through hemocyte analysis) carried out thalassemia gene detection in synchronism.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>163 cases were detected beta-thalassemia and the thus beta-thalassemia carrier ratio was 7.97%. 13 cases were detected HbH disease, and 2 cases Hb Manitoba, 2 cases HbJ, and 1 case HbQ. As for genotypes,-alpha (3.7)/alpha,-alpha(CS)/alphaalpha and -alpha(WS)/alphaalpha were common ones with in alpha-thalassemia-2, --(SEA)/alphaalpha the most common one in alpha-thalassemia-1, and 41-42 were the most common ones in beta-thalassemia heterozygotes. The detection ratio of alpha,beta combination thalassemia was also relatively high. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were low in all cases of HbH disease and beta-thalassemia, also low in 86 cases of alpha-thalassemia-1 with the exception of normal MCH in 1 case, yet normal in 17 cases out of 66 cases of alpha-thalassemia-2. HbF raised in 32 cases out of 69 cases of beta-thalassemia heterozygote, no case showed raised HbF without the raise of HbA2. Hematologic characteristic of alpha, beta combination thalassemia was mainly caused by beta-thalassemia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Carrier ratio of thalassemia in rural productive age youths in Nanning was high while alpha-thalassemia-2 with the genotype -alpha(WS)/alphaalpha and -alpha(CS)/ alphaalpha were common. To those with low MCV and MCH in high-risk region, thalassemia should be suspected.</p>

Clinical observation on effects of Yisui Shengxue Granule in treating 156 patients with beta-thalassemia / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical effect and security of Yisui Shengxue Granule (YSG) in treating beta-thalassemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and fifty-five patients with beta-thalassemia from high-incidence area in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region were treated with YSG for 3 months. Clinical symptoms and levels of hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), reticulocyte (Ret) and hemoglobin F (HbF) were observed before and after treatment, and the adverse reaction occurred in the therapeutic course was observed as well. A 3-6 months follow-up study was performed after withdrawal of YSG.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Levels of Hb, RBC, Ret and HbF obviously elevated, and clinical symptoms markedly improved in patients after treatment since the 1st month to the 3rd month (all P < 0.01). Dynamical observation showed that the improvement of symptoms was in accordance with the elevation of hemorrheological indexes. The treatment was effective in 145 patients and ineffective in 11, and the total effective rate being 92.9%, without any adverse reaction occurred. Follow-up study showed the therapeutic effect could be sustained for 3 to 4 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YSG has evident effect on alpha-thalassemia without obvious adverse reaction, which provides a definite basis for treatment of beta-thalassemia with TCM.</p>

Effect of yisui shengxue granule on gene expression in children with beta-thalassemia / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the mechanism of yisui shengxue granule (YSG) in children with betathalassemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The changes of hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBC), reticulocyte (Ret) and fetal hemoglobin (HbF) of 20 children with beta-thalassemia were measured before and after treatment. The effect of YSG on gene expression in myelo-karyocytes in 3 selected children treated effectively by YSG was determined by using DDRT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The hematologic parameters were significantly enhanced and the ferritin gene expression declined after treatment respectively, as compared with those before treatment, the difference were significant (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YSG could improve the clinical symptoms of children with beta-thalassemia. One of its therapeutic mechanisms may be its action in decreasing ferritin gene expression so as to effectively relieve the accumulation of iron in body.</p>

Effect of Chinese Herbs on ?-Globin Gene Cluster Locus Control Hepersensitive site 2 Site Binding with Nucleoprotein / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To explore molecular mechanism and the curative effect of Yisuishengxue powder and its function of the hepersensitive site 2 (HS2) in ?-globin gene cluster locus control region binding with nucleoprotein.Methods After 3 months treatment of Yisuishengxue powder, nucleoprotein was extracted from the morrow cell before and after treatment. The HS2 DNA probes was combined with nucleoproteins.Electrophoresis gel mobile lag was utilized for observing the mobile velocity of DNA segment.Observe the mobile velocity of DNA probes.Results The mobile velocity of probes combined with nucleoproteins before treatment was different form that of the controls, while it was very close to the controls after treatment.Conclusions It is suggested that this compounding medicine might affect the DNA segment of HS2 site in ?-LCR binding with nucleoprotein GATA-1, which may be one molecular mechanism of Chinese herb therapy.