Jinwujiangu Capsule Treats Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Inhibiting Pyroptosis via the NLRP3/CAPSES/GSDMD Pathway.

Jinwujiangu capsule (JWJGC) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, whether its mechanism is associated with pyroptosis remains unclear. In this study, the ability of JWJGC to inhibit the growth of fibroblast-like synoviocytes of RA (RA-FLS) through pyroptosis was evaluated. The cells isolated from patients with RA were identified by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. After RA-FLS were treated with different concentrations of JWJGC-containing serum, the cell proliferation inhibition rate, expression of caspase-1/3/4/5, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), gasdermin-D (GSDMD), and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), concentrations of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin-18 (IL-18), the activity of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and pyroptosis were evaluated. The results showed that JWJGC increased the proliferative inhibition rate, decreased the expression of caspase-1/3/4/5, GSDMD, NLRP3, and ASC, suppressed the expression of IL-1ß and IL-18, induced the activity of LDH, and downregulated the number of double-positive FITC anti-caspase-1 and PI. Generally, our findings suggest that JWJGC can regulate NLRP3/CAPSES/GSDMD in treating RA-FLS through pyroptosis.

[TCM Combined Western Medicine Treatment of Advanced NSCLC: a Preliminary Study of mIRNA Expression Profiles].

Objective To preliminarily observe miRNA gene profiles in benefit serum of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated by TCM combined Western medicine (WM) , and to seek for molecular markers for its efficacy monitoring and prediction. Methods Recruited were 5 advanced NSCLC patients who received TCM combined WM treatment and obtained efficacy benefit ( as the treatment group) , 3 advanced NSCLC patients who received early treatment ( as the lung cancer group) , and 3 healthy subjects (as the control group). Serum samples were collected and total RNA was extracted using Trizol method. Using microRNA PCR ARRAY chip technology (product of Exiqon Company) , differentially miRNA expression profiling in serum between the lung cancer group and the control group, and between the treatment group and the lung cancer group were detected. Benefit miRNA expression profiling was ob- tained based on cluster analysis and comparative analysis. Results After tested by miRNA PCR ARRAY and managed by data analysis, a total of 42 miRNAs with more than 2 folds difference were screened in the lung cancer group and the control group, including 29 up-regulated and 12 down-regulated miRNAs. Be- sides, miR-10b-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-182-5p, miR-361-3p, and miR-382-5p were statistically different (P < 0. 05). A total of 45 miRNAs with more than 2 folds difference were screened in the treatment group and the lung cancer group, including 12 up-regulated and 33 down-regulated miRNAs. Fifteen miRNAs were statistically different including miR-137-3p, miR-182-5p, miR-376a-3p, miR-382-5p, miR-409-3p, miR-10a-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-29a-3p, miR-141-3p, miR-150-5p, miR-200c-3p, miR-342-3p, miR-365a-3p, miR-375, miR- 502-3p (P<0.05). Totally 22 miRNAs were screened in the treatment group with more than 2 folds differ- ence as compared with the lung cancer group and with less than or equivalent to 2 folds difference as com- pared with the control group, including 7 up-regulated and 15 down-regulated miRNAs, of which, miR-127- 3p, miR-182-5p, miR-382-5p, miR-409-3p, miR-10a-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-141-3p, miR-342-3p were statistically different (P <0. 05). Conclusion miRNAs including miR-21-5p, miR-182-5p, miR-382-5p are promising to become molecular markers for efficacy monitoring and prediction of advanced NSCLC treated by TCM combined WM, which provides reference for individualized treating advanced NSCLC.

Standardized treatment of Chinese medicine decoction for cancer pain patients with opioid-induced constipation: a multi-center prospective randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and the influence on quality of life (QOL) of syndrome differentiation treatment with Chinese medicine (CM) for opioid-induced constipation as well as the safety and influence on analgesic effect of opioids. METHODS: Totally 406 cases enrolled from 53 collaborating medical centers were randomly assigned to a CM group and a control group. The CM group were treated with CM decoction based on syndrome differentiation, and the control group were treated with Phenolphthalein Tablet. Both groups were treated for 14 days. Cleveland constipation score (CCS), numerical rating scale (NRS) of pain and Chinese version of European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 V3.0 (EORTC QLQ-C30 V3.0) were used to evaluate the efficacy, pain controlled and QOL status. RESULTS: The comparisons of CCS score reduction and QOL between the two groups after treatment suggested that the improvements of constipation and QOL in the CM group were better than that in the control group (P<0.05). The total efficiency of the CM group was better than the control group (93.5% vs. 86.4%, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in NRS scores between before and after treatment in both groups. There was no serious drug-related adverse event during the course of study. CONCLUSION: CM decoction could effectively treat opioid-induced constipation and improve patients' QOL at the same time. It is safe and doesn't affect the analgesic effect of opioids when treating constipation.