Self-assembly of paramagnetic amphiphilic copolymers for synergistic therapy.

Engineering nanoparticles (NPs) with multifunctionality has become a promising strategy for cancer theranostics. Herein, theranostic polymer NPs are fabricated via the assembly of amphiphilic paramagnetic block copolymers (PCL-b-PIEtMn), in which IR-780 and doxorubicin (DOX) were co-encapsulated, for magnetic resonance (MR) and near infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging as well as for photo thermal therapy (PTT)-enhanced chemotherapy. The synthesized amphiphilic paramagnetic block copolymers demonstrated high relaxivity (r1 = 7.05 mM-1 s-1). The encapsulated DOX could be released with the trigger of near infrared (NIR) light. In vivo imaging confirmed that the paramagnetic NPs could be accumulated effectively at the tumor sites. Upon the NIR laser irradiation, tumor growth was inhibited by PTT-enhanced chemotherapy. The advantages of the reported system lie in the one-step convergence of multiple functions (i.e., imaging and therapy agents) into a one delivery vehicle and the dual mode imaging-guided synergistic PTT and chemotherapy. This study represents a new drug delivery vehicle of paramagnetic NPs for visualized theranostics.

Dynamic changes of lipopolysaccharide levels in different phases of acute on chronic hepatitis B liver failure.

BACKGROUND: High serum levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with LPS-MD-2/TLR4 complex activated NF-kb and cytokine cause hepatic necrosis in animal models. We investigated the dynamic changes of LPS levels in patients with acute on chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF). METHODS: We enrolled ACHBLF patients for a 12-week study. Patients' LPS levels were measured along with 10 healthy controls. Patients on supportive care and recovered without intervention(s) were analyzed. Patients' LPS levels during the disease progression phase, peak phase, and remission phase were compared with healthy controls. RESULTS: Among 30 patients enrolled, 25 who received interventions or expired during the study period were excluded from the analysis, five patients on supportive care who completed the study were analyzed. Significant abnormal distributions of LPS levels were observed in patients in different phases (0.0168±0.0101 in progression phase; 0.0960±0.0680 in peak phase; 0.0249±0.0365 in remission phase; and 0.0201±0.0146 in controls; respectively, p<0.05). The highest level of LPS was in the peak phase and significantly elevated when compared to controls (0.0201±0.0146 vs. 0.0960±0.0680, p = 0.007). There were no statistically significant differences in LPS levels between healthy controls and subjects in the progression phase or remission phase. Dynamic changes of LPS were correlated with MELD-Na in the progression phase (p = 0.01, R = 0.876) and in the peak phase (p = 0.000, R = -1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Significant abnormal distributions of LPS levels were observed in ACHBLF with the highest level in the peak phase. The dynamic changes of LPS were correlated with disease severity and suggested LPS causing secondary hepatic injury.

[Effect of Suanzaoren decoction on acute hepatic failure in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Suanzao nacute hepatic failure in mice. METHOD: Acute liver failure was induced in male Kunming strain mice by enterocoelia injecting the animals with D-Gal-N and LPS. The mice in treatment groups were given corresponding drug 2 h before administration of D-Ga1-N and LPS, and the mice in control group were given the same dose of distilled water. The 24 h survival rate, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were compared. Serum the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1 and the levels of SOD, MDA, GR, GSH, NO and NOS in the liver were determined. RESULT: Treatment with suanzaoren decoction could increase the survival rate and improve the liver histological feather. Suanzaoren decoction inhibited the serum the levels of ALT, AST, TNF-alpha and IL-1, and reduced the levels of MDA, NO and NOS and increased the levels of GR and SOD in the liver. CONCLUSION: Treatment with Suanzaoren decoction can suppress the D-Gal-N/LPS-induced acute hepatic failure. It may be the mechanism that Suanzaoren decocotion regulate the production of inflammatory cytokines and free radicals.

[Clinical observation on auxiliary treatment with suanzaoren decoction for chronic severe hepatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the curative effect and safety of auxiliary treatment with Suanzaoren Decoction (SZRD) on patients with chronic severe hepatitis (CSH). METHODS: Sixty patients, with the diagnosis in accordance with the diagnostic criterion of CSH, were assigned to the treated group and the control group, 30 in each group. Patients in the control group were treated with comprehensive therapy including symptomatic supportive treatment, anti-infective therapy and artificial liver plasmapheresis etc., while those in the treated group were orally taken SZRD additionally. Patients' condition of sleeping and changes of total bilirubin (TBIL), prothrombin activity (PTA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) were observed before and after treatment, and the adverse reactions were observed as well. RESULTS: The sleeping status were significantly improved in the treated group after treatment, and the serum levels of TBIL, TNF-alpha and IL-1 were significantly decreased. The improvement rate was 66.7% (20/30) and significantly higher than that (40.0%, 12/30) in the control group. CONCLUSION: SZRD can significantly improve the sleeping status of CSH patients, alleviate the hepato-cellular injury by inflammatory cytokines and without obvious adverse reaction.