Risk of dyslipidemia and major adverse cardiac events with tofacitinib versus adalimumab in rheumatoid arthritis: a real-world cohort study from 7580 patients.

Objective: To compare the effects of tofacitinib and adalimumab on the risk of adverse lipidaemia outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Data of adult patients newly diagnosed with RA who were treated with tofacitinib or adalimumab at least twice during a 3-year period from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2020, were enrolled in the TriNetX US Collaborative Network. Patient demographics, comorbidities, medications, and laboratory data were matched by propensity score at baseline. Outcome measurements include incidental risk of dyslipidemia, major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 7,580 newly diagnosed patients with RA (1998 receiving tofacitinib, 5,582 receiving adalimumab) were screened. After propensity score matching, the risk of dyslipidaemia outcomes were higher in the tofacitinib cohort, compared with adalimumab cohort (hazard ratio [HR] with 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.250 [1.076-1.453]). However, there is no statistically significant differences between two cohorts on MACE (HR, 0.995 [0.760-1.303]) and all-cause mortality (HR, 1.402 [0.887-2.215]). Conclusion: Tofacitinib use in patients with RA may increase the risk of dyslipidaemia to some extent compared to adalimumab. However, there is no differences on MACE and all-cause mortality.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and dermatomyositis: A 2-sample mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in dermatomyositis (DM) patients, but the exact causal relationship between them remains elusive. Our aim is to confirm the causal relationship between 25(OH)D and DM risk through a Mendelian randomization study. METHODS: Retrieve genome-wide association study (GWAS) data on 25(OH)D (n = 441 291) and DM (n cases = 201, n controls = 172 834) from the GWAS database (https://gwas.mrcieu.ac.uk/). Select single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) strongly correlated with 25(OH)D as instrumental variables (IVs). The primary analytical approach involves the use of the inverse-variance weighted method (IVW), supplemented by MR-Egger regression and weighted median methods to enhance the reliability of the results. Heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses were conducted using Cochran's Q and leave-one-out approaches, respectively. RESULTS: The IVW analysis confirmed a positive causal relationship between genetic variation in 25(OH)D levels and DM (OR = 2.36, 95% CI = 1.01-5.52, p = .048). Although not statistically significant (all p > .05), the other methods also suggested a protective effect of 25(OH)D on DM. Based on MR-Egger intercepts and Cochran's Q analysis, the selected SNPs showed no horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated the robustness of the results against individual SNPs. CONCLUSION: We provide the first evidence of a causal relationship between 25(OH)D levels and DM. Our findings support the importance of measuring serum 25(OH)D levels and considering vitamin D supplementation in clinical practice for patients with DM.

Methotrexate and the Risk of Dementia: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have suggested a potential association between methotrexate use and an increased risk of dementia. However, the causal relationship between methotrexate and dementia remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the potential causal effect of methotrexate use on the risk of dementia using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) approach. METHODS: We conducted a TSMR study using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of methotrexate use and dementia. We obtained genetic instruments for methotrexate use from a large-scale GWAS meta-analysis and genetic instruments for dementia from a separate GWAS meta-analysis. We performed several statistical analyses, including inverse-variance weighted (IVW), weighted median (WM1), weighted mode (WM2), and MR-Egger regression methods, to estimate the causal effect of methotrexate on dementia risk. RESULTS: Our TSMR analysis showed a significant positive association between genetic predisposition to methotrexate use and dementia risk. The IVW method estimated a causal odds ratio (OR) of 0.476 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.362-0.626] per unit increase in the log odds ratio of methotrexate use. WM1, WM2, and MR-Egger methods provided consistent results. CONCLUSION: The findings of this mendelian randomization (MR) study suggest a potential causal effect of methotrexate use on the risk of dementia. However, further research is needed to validate these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms. Since methotrexate is widely prescribed for various autoimmune diseases, a better understanding of its potential impact on dementia risk is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies and addressing potential adverse effects.

A bibliometric analysis of the research status and trends in studies on polymyositis and dermatomyositis with interstitial lung disease from 2000 to 2022 using Web of Science.

BACKGROUND: The main subtypes of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs)-polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM)-are often presented as interstitial lung disease (ILD) in clinical practice; therefore, many researchers have combined the three studies into PM/DM with ILD. METHODS: Using bibliometrics, the research status, progress, and hotspots of PM/DM with ILD between 2000 and 2022 were studied. Literature data on PM/DM with ILD were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) database for the research period. Visualization software, including VOSviewer, Pajek, CiteSpace, and Scimago Graphica were used for bibliometric analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1555 relevant articles were obtained, and the overall research in this field showed an increasing trend. Regarding contributing countries and venues, Japan published the most articles while Rheumatology was the most prolific journal. Regarding authors, the most published article was by Wang Guochun from Changchun University of Technology in China. Keyword analysis and cocited literature cluster analysis showed that diagnosis, classification, autoantibodies, antibodies, prognosis, complications, and treatment of PM/DM with ILD have been hot topics in this field recently. Moreover, our study shows that anti-mda5 antibody, mortality, gene 5 antibody, IIMs, double-blind, and prognostic factors, among others, may be new hot topics. CONCLUSION: This study found that research on PM/DM with ILD has increased over time, and scholars are paying more attention to this field. The development of new drugs for the management, treatment, and prevention of PM/DM with ILD is the primary task of researchers and a direction for future research in this field.

Leonurine alleviates rheumatoid arthritis by regulating the Hippo signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause joint inflammation and damage. Leonurine (LE) is an alkaloid found in Leonurus heterophyllus. It has anti-inflammatory effects. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: The molecular mechanisms by which LE acts in RA are unclear and further investigation is required. METHODS: Mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), and RA-fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) isolated from them were used as in vivo and in vitro models of RA, respectively. The therapeutic effects of LE on CIA-induced joint injury were investigated by micro-computed tomography, and staining with hematoxylin and eosin and Safranin-O/Fast Green. Cell Counting Kit-8, a Transwell® chamber, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, RT-qPCR, and western blotting were used to investigate the effects of LE on RA-FLS viability, migratory capacity, inflammation, microRNA-21 (miR-21) levels, the Hippo signaling pathway, and the effects and intrinsic mechanisms of related proteins. Dual luciferase was used to investigate the binding of miR-21 to YOD1 deubiquitinase (YOD1) and yes-associated protein (YAP). Immunofluorescence was used to investigate the localization of YAP within the nucleus and cytoplasm. RESULTS: Treatment with LE significantly inhibited joint swelling, bone damage, synovial inflammation, and proteoglycan loss in the CIA mice. It also reduced the proliferation, cell colonization, migration/invasion, and inflammation levels of RA-FLSs, and promoted miR-21 expression in vitro. The effects of LE on RA-FLSs were enhanced by an miR-21 mimic and reversed by an miR-21 inhibitor. The dual luciferase investigation confirmed that both YOD1 and YAP are direct targets of miR-21. Treatment with LE activated the Hippo signaling pathway, and promoted the downregulation and dephosphorylation of MST1 and LATS1 in RA, while inhibiting the activation of YOD1 and YAP. Regulation of the therapeutic effects of LE by miR-21 was counteracted by YOD1 overexpression, which caused the phosphorylation of YAP and prevented its nuclear ectopic position, thereby reducing LE effect on pro-proliferation-inhibiting apoptosis target genes. CONCLUSION: LE regulates the Hippo signaling pathway through the miR-21/YOD1/YAP axis to reduce joint inflammation and bone destruction in CIA mice, thereby inhibiting the growth and inflammation of RA-FLSs. LE has potential for the treatment of RA.

[Mechanism of Zhongfeng Xingnao Decoction in improving microcirculatory disorders in cerebral hemorrhage based on network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques].

This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Zhongfeng Xingnao Decoction(ZFXN) in intervening microcirculatory di-sorders in cerebral hemorrhage by network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques. The information on the components of ZFXN was obtained through the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP) database, and the predicted targets of chemical components were obtained from PubChem and SwissTargetPrediction. The relevant targets of cerebral hemorrhage and microcirculatory disorders were collected from the GeneCards database, and the common targets of the components and diseases were analyzed by the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery(DAVID) for Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analyses. Visualization of the correlation network was carried out using Cytoscape software to further screen important chemical components for molecular docking prediction with disease targets. The animal experiment validation was performed using modified neurological severity score(mNSS), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR), immunofluorescence, and Western blot to detect the effects of ZFXN intervention in mice with cerebral hemorrhage. The results showed that there were 31 chemical components and 856 targets in the four drugs contained in ZFXN, 173 targets for microcirculatory disorders in cerebral hemorrhage, and 57 common targets for diseases and components. The enrichment analysis showed that common targets were mainly involved in biological processes, such as cell proliferation and apoptosis, and signaling pathways, such as tumor pathway, viral infection, phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway, and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathway. Molecular docking results revealed that the common components ß-sitosterol of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra showed good docking with proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase(SRC), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), phosphoinositide-3-kinase catalytic alpha polypeptide gene(PIK3CA), recombinant protein tyrosine phosphatase non receptor type 11(PTPN11), AKT1, epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR), calcium adhesion-associated protein beta 1(CTNNB1), vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA), and tumor protein p53(TP53). Moreover, sennoside E of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma showed good docking with MAPK1. The results revealed that the ZFXN relieved the neural injury in mice with cerebral hemorrhage, decreased the expression of S100 calcium-binding protein B(S100ß), neuron specific enolase(NSE), matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9), tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), interleukin 1ß(IL-1ß), SRC, EGFR, CTNNB1, VEGFA, TP53, glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP), and leukocyte differentiation antigen 86(CD86), and increased the expression of p-PI3K, p-AKT, and zona occludens 1(ZO-1). The results indicate that ZFXN may inhibit neuronal apoptosis and inflammatory response through PI3K/AKT/p53 pathway to protect the blood-brain barrier, thereby slowing down microcirculatory impairment in cerebral hemorrhage.

The Underlying Mechanism of Duanteng Yimu Decoction in Inhibiting Synovial Hyperplasia in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our previous studies confirmed that Duanteng Yimu decoction (DTYMT) effectively inhibits RA fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) proliferation. In this study, we investigated the influence of DTYMT on miR-221 in RA individuals. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to assess histopathological alterations in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice. The expression of miR-221-3p and TLR4 in PBMC, FLS, and cartilage was measured by RT-qPCR. In the in vitro experiments, DTYMT-containing serum was incubated with FLS-transfected miR-221 mimic or inhibitor. CCK-8 was performed to determine FLS proliferation, and the secretion of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α was quantified by ELISA assay. In addition, the regulation of miR-221 expression on FLS apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry. Finally, western blot was employed to reflect TLR4/MyD88 protein levels. HE results showed that DTYMT effectively reduced synovial hyperplasia in the joints of CIA mice. RT-qPCR assay of FLS and cartilage of the model group showed that miR-221-3p and TLR4 significantly increased compared with those in the normal group. All outcomes were improved by DTYMT. The miR-221 mimic reversed the inhibitory effect of DTYMT-containing serum on FLS proliferation, the release of IL-1ß, IL-18, IL-6, and TNF-α, and FLS apoptosis, as well as TLR4/MyD88 protein levels. The results showed that miR-221 promotes the activity of RA-FLS by activating TLR4/MyD88 signaling, and DTYMT treats RA by reducing miR-221 in CIA mice.

Luteolin-Loaded Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Melanoma.

Background and Purpose: Luteolin (LUT), a flavonoid found in various plants, has been reported to have potential therapeutic effects in melanoma. However, poor water solubility and low bioactivity have severely restricted the clinical application of LUT. Based on the high reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in melanoma cells, we developed nanoparticles encapsulating LUT with the ROS-responsive material poly(propylene sulfide)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PPS-PEG) to enhance the water solubility of LUT, accelerate the release of LUT in melanoma cells, and further enhance its anti-melanoma effect, providing a viable solution for the application of LUT nano-delivery systems in melanoma therapy. Methods: In this study, LUT-loaded nanoparticles were prepared with PPS-PEG and named as LUT-PPS-NPs. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied to determine the size and morphology of LUT-PPS-NPs. In vitro studies were carried out to determine the uptake and mechanism of LUT-PPS-NPs by SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells. According to the CCK-8 assay, the cytotoxic effects of LUT-PPS-NPs on human skin fibroblasts (HSF) and SK-MEL-28 cells were assessed. Apoptosis assays, cell migration and invasion assays, and proliferation inhibition assays with low and normal density plating were also applied to test the in vitro anti-melanoma effect. Additionally, melanoma models were established utilizing BALB/c nude mice and initially evaluated the growth inhibitory impact following intratumoral injection of LUT-PPS-NPs. Results: The size of LUT-PPS-NPs was 169.77 ± 7.33 nm with high drug loading (15.05 ± 0.07%). In vitro, cellular assays confirmed that LUT-PPS-NPs were efficiently internalized by SK-MEL-28 cells and showed low cytotoxicity against HSF. Moreover, LUT released from LUT-PPS-NPs significantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Animal experiments showed that LUT-PPS-NPs inhibited tumor growth more than 2-fold compared with the LUT group. Conclusion: In conclusion, the LUT-PPS-NPs developed in our study enhanced the anti-melanoma effect of LUT.

Study on the effect and mechanism of quercetin in treating gout arthritis.

Quercetin is widely found in natural plants, especially Chinese herbal plants. It has been used to treat arthritis in China for thousands of years. However, the effects and mechanisms of quercetin in the treatment of gout arthritis (GA) remain unclear. We aimed to verify the treatment of GA with quercetin and investigate the underlying mechanism. A combination of network pharmacology and experiments was used to reveal the mechanism of quercetin in the treatment of GA. Potential targets of quercetin and gout were identified. Then, the protein-protein interaction network for the common targets between quercetin and gout was constructed and the core targets were identified. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses for the common targets were performed to elucidate the pharmacological functions and mechanisms associated with quercetin treatment in GA. Finally, a monosodium urate-induced GA rat model was used to validate the predicted mechanisms in network pharmacology. Seventy-two common targets were identified. KEGG analysis revealed that treatment of GA with quercetin predominantly involved the interleukin (IL)-17, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), mitogen-activated protein kinase, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt signaling pathways. In an experimental validation, quercetin attenuated ankle joint inflammation-induced bone destruction and histological lesions. It also diminished the expression of IL-6, IL-17A, and IL-17F in the IL-17 pathway, and regulated the release of RAR-related orphan receptor gamma t,IL-17E, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, Foxp3, and transforming growth factor-beta 1. The collective findings implicate quercetin as a valuable alternative drug for the treatment of GA.

[Galangin alleviates learning and memory impairments in APP/PS1 double- transgenic mice by regulating Akt/MEF2D/Beclin-1 signaling pathway].

The study aimed to investigate the effects of galangin on learning and memory impairments and Akt/MEF2 D/Beclin-1 signaling pathway in APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice. The mice in this experiment were divided into the normal group, model group, low-(25 mg·kg~(-1)), medium-(50 mg·kg~(-1)), and high-dose(100 mg·kg~(-1)) galangin groups, donepezil(3 mg·kg~(-1)) group, Akt inhibitor(25 mg·kg~(-1)) group, and autophagy inhibitor(30 mg·kg~(-1)) group, with ten in each group, and administered with the corresponding drugs for 30 successive days. On the 24 th day of medication, the water maze and dark avoidance tests were performed. The levels of p-tau, ß-amyloid peptide 1-42(Aß_(42)), acetylcholinesterase(AChE), ß-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1(BACE1), and amyloid precursor protein(APP) in hippocampus were detected by ELISA, the Beclin-1 mRNA expression by RT-PCR, the expression of Aß_(42) and glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of myocyte enhancer factor 2 D(MEF2 D) by immunofluorescence assay. The pathological changes in hippocampus were observed after HE staining, and the expression of Akt, MEF2 D, and Beclin-1 in hippocampus were assayed by Western blot. These results showed that compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited prolonged swimming time, increased number of errors and electric shocks, up-regulated p-tau, Aß_(42), APP, AChE, BACE1, GFAP, and Beclin-1, shortened incubation period, decreased p-Akt and MEF2 D, and obvious hippocampal injury. Compared with the model group, donepezil and galangin shortened the swimming time, reduced the number of errors and electric shocks, down-regulated the expression of p-tau, Aß_(42), APP, AChE, BACE1, GFAP, and Beclin-1, prolonged the incubation period, up-regulated p-Akt and MEF2 D, and improved the pathological changes in hippocampus. Compared with the autophagy inhibitor group, galangin prolonged the swimming time, elevated the number of errors and electric shocks, enhanced the expression of p-tau, Aß_(42), APP, AChE, BACE1, GFAP, and Beclin-1, shortened the incubation period, and diminished the expression of p-Akt and MEF2 D. In conclusion, galangin improves the learning and memory impairments and hippocampal neuron injury of APP/PS1 mice, which may be related to its regulation of Akt/MEF2 D/Beclin-1 signaling pathway.

PSORI-CM02 formula alleviates imiquimod-induced psoriasis via affecting macrophage infiltration and polarization.

AIMS: Psoriasis is a refractory skin disease characterized by macrophage cell infiltrated in the dermal layer. Macrophages can simultaneously polarize into two distinct functional subtypes, M1 and M2, and this process is affected by the microenvironment, cytokines and JAK/STAT pathways. Formula PSORI-CM02 is a novel Chinese medicine used to alleviate psoriasis symptoms and regulate T cell differentiation and epithelial cell proliferation. However, the effects of PSORI-CM02 in imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis and macrophage infiltration and polarization in the dermis remain unknown. MAIN METHODS: Imiquimod induced psoriasis mice model and M1/M2 polarization model on mice peritoneal macrophages cell line RAW264.7 in vitro were used to observe the therapeutic effect of PSORI-CM02 on skin and its molecular mechanisms. KEY FINDINGS: PSORI-CM02 can significantly improve skin lesions and reduce macrophage infiltration in mice induced by imiquimod. After treatment with PSORI-CM02 formula, M1 macrophage mediators were significantly reduced, while M2 mediators were significantly increased in mice. Similarly in vitro, M1 macrophage proliferation was suppressed and M2 macrophage proliferation was elevated by PSORI-CM02 in the presence of LPS and IL-4, respectively. The elevated expression of TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-1ß induced by LPS was reduced, while the expression of Arg-1, Fizz-1, Ym-1, and IL-10 induced by IL-4 was elevated in PSORI-CM02-treated cells. Finally, we found that the effects of PSORI-CM02 in macrophage polarization were associated with regulation of STAT1 and STAT6 expression, which were activated by LPS and IL-4, respectively. SIGNIFICANCE: Our novel findings reveal that PSORI-CM02 may possess therapeutic action in psoriasis treatment by regulating the infiltration and polarization of macrophages in the dermal layer.

Total polysaccharides of the Sijunzi decoction attenuate tumor necrosis factor-α-induced damage to the barrier function of a Caco-2 cell monolayer via the nuclear factor-κB-myosin light chain kinase-myosin light chain pathway.

AIM: To explore the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of total polysaccharides of the Sijunzi decoction (TPSJ) on the epithelial barriers in vitro. METHODS: Caco-2 cell monolayers were treated with or without TPSJ in the presence or absence of TNF-α, and paracellular permeability and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) were measured to evaluate the epithelial barrier function. Immunofluorescence and western blotting were respectively used to evaluate the distribution and expression of the tight junction proteins claudin 1, claudin 2, zo3, and occludin in Caco-2 cells. Western blotting was also used to evaluate the cellular expression of myosin light chain (MLC), phosphorylated MLC (pMLC), MLC kinase (MLCK), and nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65. RESULTS: TPSJ promoted the proliferation of Caco-2 cells and inhibited TNF-α-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, TPSJ significantly ameliorated both the reduction of TEER and the increased paracellular permeability observed in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-damaged Caco-2 monolayers. Furthermore, TPSJ remarkably attenuated TNF-α-induced morphological changes, downregulated the expression of claudin 1, claudin 2, zo3, and occludin, and markedly suppressed TNF-α-mediated upregulation of p-MLC and MLCK expression. Finally, TPSJ inhibited the activation and expression of NF-κB p65. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that TPSJ alleviates the TNF-α-induced impairment of the intestinal epithelial cell barrier function by suppressing NF-κB p65-mediated phosphorylation of MLCK and MLC.

Nano-ELISA for highly sensitive protein detection.

Highly sensitive protein detection method based on nanoparticles and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), named Nano-ELISA, was introduced. In this method, the micro-magnetic beads were modified with monoclonal antibody of the target protein p53. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were modified with another monoclonal detector antibody and Horseradish peroxidase (HRP, for signal amplification). The presence of target protein p53 causes the formation of the sandwich structures (magnetic beads-target protein-AuNP probes) through the interaction between the antibodies and the antigen p53. The HRP at the surface of AuNPs catalytically oxidize the substrate and generate optical signals that reflected the quantity of the target protein. Down to 5 pg mL(-1) of protein was detected in less than 2 h with this method. The detection sensitivity of p53 classic ELISA kit is 0.125 ng mL(-1). This method is as simple as ELISA and has higher sensitivity than ELISA, which can potentially be exploited in clinic. This method can be used to detect protein markers of tumors, nervous system or other diseases for early diagnostics.

[Effects and the mechanism of HGF on the apoptosis of rat primary cultured hepatic stellate cells treated with platelet-derived growth factor].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on the apoptosis of rat primary cultured hepatic stellate cells treated with platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB). METHODS: Hepatic stellate cells were cultured and treated with PDGF-BB+HGF, HGF or nothing (controls). Apoptosis of these hepatic stellate cells was evaluated by AO/EB staining, TUNEL and flow cytometry. Expression level of P65 was observed with immunocytochemical staining; DNA-protein binding complex of NF-kappa B was detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. RESULTS: The cell apoptosis rate of the control group was lower than that of the PDGF-BB+HGF group. The apoptosis rate of the PDGF-BB+HGF group was lower than that of the HGF treated group; the expression of P65 was lower in the PDGF-BB+HGF group and HGF treated group compared to the normal control group; DNA-protein binding activity of NF-kappa B was respectively attenuated in the normal control group, PDGF-BB+HGF treated group and HGF treated group (P less than 0.05). CONCLUSION: HGF can induce HSC apoptosis. Its possible mechanism may involve inhibiting DNA-protein binding activity of NF-kappa B and down-regulating the expression level of P65.