[The efficacy and safety of intravenous sucrose iron therapy for recurrent iron deficiency anemia].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous iron supplementation in patients with recurrent iron deficiency anemia (IDA) . Methods: This retrospective analysis of 90 patients with recurrent IDA from May 2012 to December 2021 was conducted, comparing the efficacy and safety of the intravenous iron therapy group and the oral iron therapy group. Results: Among the 90 patients with recurrent IDA, 20 were males and 70 were females, with a median age of 40 (range: 14-85) years. A total of 60 patients received intravenous iron supplementation and 30 received oral iron supplementation. The hematologic response rates in the intravenous iron group were significantly higher than those in the oral iron group at 4 and 8 weeks after treatment [80.0% (48/60) vs 3.3% (1/30) and 96.7% (58/60) vs 46.7% (14/30), all P<0.001, respectively]. The median increase in hemoglobin levels was also significantly higher in the intravenous iron group than in the oral iron group [38 (4, 66) g/L vs 7 (1, 22) g/L at week 4 and 44.5 (18, 80) g/L vs 19 (3, 53) g/L at week 8, all P<0.001]. The intravenous iron group had a significantly higher proportion of patients who achieved normal hemoglobin levels than the oral iron group (55.0% vs 0 and 90% vs 43.3%, all P<0.001, respectively). Iron metabolism indicators were tested before and after 8 weeks of treatment in 26 and 7 patients in the intravenous and oral iron groups, respectively. The median increase in serum ferritin (SF) levels in the intravenous iron group 8 weeks after treatment was 113.7 (49.7, 413.5) µg/L, and 54% (14/26) of these patients had SF levels of ≥100 µg/L, which was significantly higher than the median increase in SF levels in the oral iron group [14.0 (5.8, 84.2) µg/L, t=4.760, P<0.001] and the proportion of patients with SF levels of ≥100 µg/L (P=0.013). The incidence of adverse reactions was 3.3% (2/60) in the intravenous iron group, which was significantly lower than that in the oral iron group [20.0% (6/30), P=0.015]. Conclusion: Intravenous iron supplementation is more effective for hematologic response, faster hemoglobin increase, and higher iron storage replenishment rates compared with oral iron supplementation in patients with recurrent IDA, and it is well tolerated by patients.

[Effect of respiratory filter on pulmonary function in occupational health examination].

Objective: To explore the influence and significance of respiratory filter on the judgment of pulmonary function and the conclusion of occupational health examination in occupational health examination. Methods: From August to November 2020, 252 occupational health examinees were randomly selected as the research objects, and the lung function was examined with the respiratory filter bite and the straight cylinder bite without filter, respectively. The lung function examination indexes and the qualification rate of lung function examination were analyzed and compared between the two groups, and the diagnostic criteria of lung function examination was corrected. Results: 252 subjects were 36 (30, 42) years old. The qualified rate of lung function examination with respiratory filter bite (28.17%, 71/252) was lower than that with straight cylinder bite (34.92%, 88/252) , the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . The percentage of forced vital capacity in normal predicted value (FVC%) , percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first second in normal predicted value (FEV(1)%) , and percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first second in forced vital capacity (FEV(1)/FVC%) of subjects using respiratory filter bite were lower than those using the straight cylinder bite (P<0.05) . The corrected diagnostic criteria of pulmonary function were FVC%>78%, FEV(1)%>77%, FEV(1)/FVC%>68%. There was no significant difference between the qualified rate of the respiratory filter bite lung function test calculated according to the corrected diagnostic criteria (35.71%, 90/252) and the qualified rate of the straight cylinder bite lung function test calculated according to the original diagnostic criteria (34.92%, 88/252) (P>0.05) . Conclusion: In occupational health examination, the use of respiratory filter may affect the results of pulmonary function examination. The diagnostic criteria of pulmonary function can be corrected according to different filtering effects to ensure the accuracy of the conclusions of occupational health examination.

[Study of the predictive role of serum HBV RNA on HBeAg serological conversion in children with chronic hepatitis B].

Objective: To investigate the role of serum hepatitis B virus RNA (HBV RNA) in predicting HBeAg serological conversion in children with chronic hepatitis B. Methods: 175 children aged 1~17 years with chronic hepatitis B who received interferon α (IFNα) for 48 weeks were selected. Patients were divided into HBeAg seroconversion and non-conversion based on whether HBeAg seroconversion occurred at 48 weeks of treatment.T-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare between groups; chisquare test or Fisher exact probability method was used to compare the frequency between groups of classified variables; and Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between indicators. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify influencing factors associated with HBeAg serological conversion. The predictive effect of HBV RNA, HBV DNA, and HBsAg on HBeAg serological conversion was compared and analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results: The seroconversion rate of HBeAg at 48 weeks was 36.0% (63/175). The reduction in HBVRNA levels from baseline to the 12th, 24th, 36th, and 48th weeks of antiviral therapy was significantly greater in the HBeAg serological conversion group than that in the non-conversion group, and the difference was statistically significant between the two groups (P < 0.05). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses showed that age and a decline in HBV RNA levels at week 12 were independent predictors of HBeAg serological conversion. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of HBV RNA decline at week 12 was 0.677(95% CI∶0.549-0.806, P = 0.012), which was significantly better than the same period of AUROC of HBV DNA (0.657, 95% CI∶0.527-0.788, P = 0.025) and HBsAg (0.660, 95% CI∶0.526-0.795, P = 0.023) decline. HBV RNA levels decreased (>1.385 log10 copies/ml) at week 12, with a positive predictive value of 53.2%, a negative predictive value of 72.2%, a sensitivity of 77.4%, and a specificity of 57.9% for HBeAg seroconversion. Conclusion: HBV RNA level lowering during the 12th week of antiviral therapy can serve as an early predictor marker for HBeAg serological conversion in children with chronic hepatitis B.

[Relationship of serum 25- hydroxy vitamin D and systemic lupus erythematosus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application value of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Data of 158 patients with SLE in Department of Rheumatology and Immunology in the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from July 2016 to July 2019. All the SLE patients were divided into two groups by SLE scores of the disease activity index (SLEADI): 59 cases of active group (SLEADI > 4), 99 cases of non-active group (SLEDAI ≤4). Fifty healthy people were selected as healthy control group. The patients' general information and their laboratory data including serum 25(OH)D levels were collected. Statistical methods used were t-test, Spearman's correalation analysis and Logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: (1) A total of 208 cases were included in this study. The level of 25(OH)D in SLE group [10.4(5.6, 15.8) µg/L] was significantly lower than that in healthy control group [25.5(22.8, 32.3) µg/L, P < 0.01]. 25(OH)D level in active SLE patients [6.2(3.7, 13.8) µg/L] was significantly lower than that in remission SLE patients [12.3(7.2, 16.7) µg/L, P < 0.01]. The serum 25(OH)D level in lupus nephritis [6.7 (4.4, 12.9) µg/L] was significantly lower than that in SLE without renal involvement [13.3 (7.4, 18.7) µg/L, P < 0.01]. (2) A significant negative correlation was demonstrated between the serum level of 25(OH)D and SLEDAI (r=-0.35, P < 0.01), and the 24h urinary protein excretion (r=-0.39, P < 0.01).Positive correlation was demonstrated between the serum level of 25(OH)D and C3 that decreased (r=0.249, P < 0.05). (3) Univariate analysis showed anti- dsDNA antibodies(ds-DNA), anti-Sm antibodies(Sm), IgG, C3, C4, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), 24h urinary protein quantification(24h-pro) and 25(OH)D were associated with disease activity in the SLE patients; Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that 25(OH)D was associated with the disease activity of the lupus patients. CONCLUSION: The decrease of vitamin D level is related to the disease activity of SLE patients, and may be related to lupus nephritis, which plays an important role in the occurrence and development of SLE.

[Clinical features of patients with Rhupus syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and serological features of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) overlap syndrome (Rhupus syndrome). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 21 patients with Rhupus syndrome who were hospitalized at Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region between January 2010 and January 2018. We compared the joint involvement, autoantibodies and clinical manifestations of Rhupus syndrome with 81 cases of RA-alone and 51 cases of SLE-alone. RESULTS: In 21 patients with Rhupus syndrome, there are 3 males and 18 females. Compared with the SLE-alone group, the patients with Rhupus syndrome were older [(49.43±11.66) vs. (40.59±12.73), P=0.008]. The median age of the patients with Rhupus syndrome at RA onset was significantly younger than that of the RA-alone patients [(32.58±11.14) vs. (43.11±11.83), P=0.010]. Of the 21 patients with Rhupus syndrome, the initial diagnosis was RA in 57% (12/21), except 2 male patients, the other 10 patients with SLE manifestations were menopause, the mean age of amenorrhea or menopause was (44.30±5.33) (36-50) years. The mean interval between the onset of SLE and RA was 10.83 years. Two patients started with SLE manifestations. Moreover, both diseases simultaneously developed in 33.3% of the patients. Except one male patient, 3 patients were in menopause stage when RA and SLE appeared. The positive rate of specific antibody Rhupus syndrome was similar to that of RA. Renal damage was relatively rare in SLE related manifestations, but the incidence of interstitial lung disease was higher. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of complements C3 and C4, antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA), anti-SSA or anti-SSB antibody between the Rhupus syndrome and SLE-alone group. CONCLUSION: Rhupus syndrome is an overlapping syndrome in which RA and SLE coexist. Most of the diseases occur in RA and the related manifestations of RA are more serious than those of SLE. The incidence of Rhupus syndrome may be related to the change of sex hormone levels.

[The clinical significance of serum autoantibodies and HLA-B(27) molecule testing in Uygur patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection].

Objective: To explore the clinical value of serum autoantibodies and human leukocyte antigen (HLA-B(27)) molecular testing in Uygur patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Method: A total of 727 HIV-infected Uygur patients who visited Kuche infectious diseases hospital during May 2016 to March 2017 were include in this study. The other 390 healthy people were enrolled as controls. Serum antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody, anti-extractable nuclear antigen (ENAs) antibody and HLA-B(27) molecule were tested. Result: Among 727 HIV-infected Uygur patients, 317 were males and 410 were females with mean age (35.52±13.44) years old. The mean duration of disease was (6.34±3.05) years. There were 697 (95.87%) patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with mean duration of treatment (5.52±3.47) years. The mean CD4(+)T cell count was (520±271) cells/µl in 202 HIV-infected patients, and mean virus load was (108 139±20 498) copies/ml in 20 HIV-infected patients. Rheumatic manifestations were recorded in 238 (32.74%) HIV-infected Uygur patients, mainly with dry mouth and dry eye (15.41%) , alopecia (9.90%) , arthralgia (8.94%) , ect. Compared with the health controls, positive ANA was more common in HIV infected Uygur patients (33.43% vs. 17.43%, P<0.001) with low titers (ANA titer:1∶100) . HIV-infected Uygur patients had higher positive anti-u1-RNP antibodies positive rate (1.10%), but lower anti-SSA antibodies positive rate (0.14%) and anti-CCP antibodies positive rate (0.28%). Patients with positive ANA in HAART group were significantly less than that in non-treatment group (32.71% vs. 50.00%, P=0.049). There were no correlations between ANA and duration of HAART, CD4(+)T cell counts and virus load (r values 0.061, 0.047, 0.121, respectively. P>0.05). Only one female patient was HLA-B(27) positive (0.14%), which was significantly lower than that in healthy controls (3.08%) (P<0.001). Also, only one patient was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Conclusion: Autoimmune manifestations are common in HIV-infected Uygur patients. Several autoantibodies are positive, but the coincidence of rheumatic diseases is rare. It's noted that patients with autoimmune manifestations should be considered as a differential diagnosis of HIV infection.

[The diagnostic value of serum KL-6 in connective tissue disease associated interstitial lung disease].

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of the serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) for the interstitial lung disease associated with connective tissue diseases (CTD-ILD). Methods: 84 patients with CTD-ILD (CTD-ILD group) and 91 patients with connective tissue disease (CTD group) who visited the department of rheumatology and immunology of People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region between January, 2016 and December, 2017 were included. Serum KL-6 levels were measured by commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Results: The significantly higher levels of KL-6 were determined in the CTD-ILD group than CTD group [1 239 (577, 2 094) vs 152 (89, 280) U/ml] (P<0.001). The optimal cutoff value of serum KL-6 for diagnosis of CTD-ILD was 402 U/ml, and the sensitivity and specificity were 82.1% and 86.8%, respectively. Area Under the Curve (AUC) was 0.905. Logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated KL-6 and decreased Carbon monoxide diffusion capacity were independently correlated with the occurrence of CTD-ILD, the decreased of DLcoSB% (OR=0.928, 95%CI: 0.891-0.968) and increase of KL-6 level (OR=1.005, 95%CI: 1.003-1.007) was the independent risk factor for the occurrence of ILD. Conclusion: The serum KL-6 is an important biomarker for the diagnosis of CTD-ILD and when the level of KL-6 is increased, the ILD should be alert.

[Value of musculoskeletal ultrasound in assessing the disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis].

Objective: To investigate the value of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) in assessing the disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: As a retrospective study, clinical data, laboratory test results and MSUS results of 22 joints (2 wrist joints, 10 metacarpophalangeal joints, 2 thumb interphalangeal joints, 8 proximal interphalangeal joints) were collected from 403 hospitalized RA patients (including Han and Uygur patients) in the People's Hospital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 2016 to December 2016. Result: (1) There was a positive correlation between swollen joints count, tender joints count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reaction protein and sum scores of articular cavity effusion, Grey Scale (GS), Power Doppler (PD), tenosynovitis in RA patients; (2)there was a positive correlation between DAS28-ESR, DAS28-CRP, SDAI, CDAI and sum scores of effusion, GS, PD, tenosynovitis in RA patients. The ulnar extensor tendon of the wrist of RA patients was more susceptible to extensor tendon than other extensor tendons; (3)there was significant statistical difference between Uygur and Han RA patients in bone erosion (P<0.05), however the statistical difference between Uygur and Han RA patients in effusion, GS or PD score was not significant (P>0.05). Few Uygur RA patients achieved clinical remission and subclinical synovitis was not detected, while such subclinical synovitis was detected in Han RA patients who achieved clinical remission. Conclusion: The MUSU can assess the disease activity of RA patients, and provide a more direct and objective evidence for the rapid evaluation of disease.

Community Alcohol Partnerships with the alcohol industry: what is their purpose and are they effective in reducing alcohol harms?

Background: Local initiatives to reduce alcohol harms are common. One UK approach, Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAPs), involves partnerships between the alcohol industry and local government, focussing on alcohol misuse and anti-social behaviour (ASB) among young people. This study aimed to assess the evidence of effectiveness of CAPs. Methods: We searched CAP websites and documents, and databases, and contacted CAPs to identify evaluations and summarize their findings. We appraised these against four methodological criteria: (i) reporting of pre-post data; (ii) use of comparison area(s); (iii) length of follow-up; and (iv) baseline comparability of comparison and intervention areas. Results: Out of 88 CAPs, we found three CAP evaluations which used controlled designs or comparison areas, and further data on 10 other CAPs. The most robust evaluations found little change in ASB, though few data were presented. While CAPs appear to affect public perceptions of ASB, this is not a measure of the effectiveness of CAPs. Conclusions: Despite industry claims, the few existing evaluations do not provide convincing evidence that CAPs are effective in reducing alcohol harms or ASB. Their main role may be as an alcohol industry corporate social responsibility measure which is intended to limit the reputational damage associated with alcohol-related ASB.

Hepatitis B virus basal core promoter/precore mutants and association with liver cirrhosis in children with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

We investigated 168 children and analysed the virological characterization and association with disease progression in children with hepatitis B virus (HBV) basal core promoter/precore (BCP/PC) mutants. Among 168 patients with HBV infection (aged 0.5-18 years old, mean 10.1), 86 of them had HBV-related liver cirrhosis (LC) and 82 had HBV-related chronic hepatitis B (CHB). A direct sequencing method was employed to determine the HBV genotypes and the mutations in BCP/PC regions. In all, 133 of them were infected with genotype C viruses (79.17%); only 35 patients (20.83%) were infected with genotype B viruses. Both LC patients and CHB patients had significantly higher ratios of genotype C when compared with the ratios of genotype B (83.7%-16.3% versus 74.4%-25.6%). For patients with CHB, the prevalence of BCP/PC wild-type viruses was 52.4%; but this was only 4.7% in patients with LC. The C1653T, T1753C, A1762T/G1764A and G1896A mutations had a significantly higher prevalence in patients with LC. Among all the patients with genotype B viruses, those with LC had lower HBV DNA levels and higher G1899A mutation frequency than patients with CHB. Among all the patients with genotype C viruses, the patients with LC had higher prevalence of C1653T, A1762T/G1764A and G1896A mutation frequency, higher hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) -negative rates, lower viral load, lower elevated alanine aminotransferase and lower anti-HBe positive rates than CHB patients. The HBV BCP/PC variants were more common in HBeAg-negative LC patients than in the CHB group (BCP, 53.4% versus 15.6%; PC, 18.6% versus 3.7%, respectively, p < 0.001). Patients with HBV genotype C viruses, high viral load and C1653T, A1762T/G1764A, G1896A mutant viruses, were more susceptible to developing LC.

Double-pulse laser based on a semiconductor optical amplifier.

In this paper, a double-pulse laser with a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) is proposed. By adjusting the polarization controller, we observe double pulses with repetition frequencies of 10.05 and 12.70 MHz and pulse widths of 33.40 and 30.13 ns, respectively. The laser consists of a SOA asymmetrically placed in a short fiber loop. Its switching time is determined by the off-center position of the SOA within the loop. In the loop, the two pulses, which have the same widths, transmit in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction separately.

Prohibitin 1 gene delivery promotes functional recovery in rats with spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) represents a severe health problem worldwide usually associated with severe disability and reduced quality of life. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of prohibitin 1 (PHB1) in the progression of SCI in rats. Firstly, we observed that expression of PHB1 was downregulated following SCI in rats. Then, we hypothesized that PHB1 overexpression by delivery of Ad-PHB1 could result in neuroprotection and promote functional recovery following SCI. Briefly, Wistar rats received a 35-g clip-compression injury and were administered Ad-PHB1 or Ad immediately following SCI. It was found that Ad-PHB1 administration significantly improved locomotor function and increased pain tolerance in rats with SCI. Furthermore, Ad-PHB1 administration following SCI attenuated axonal degradation and increased neuron sparing. Ad-PHB1 administration following SCI reduced apoptosis through inhibiting the Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 pathway. Ad-PHB1 administration following SCI suppressed endoplasmic reticulum stress, evidenced by reduced mRNA levels of CCAAT enhancer binding protein homologous protein, chaperone-ucose-regulated protein 78, and X-box protein 1. Ad-PHB1 administration following SCI restored mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate formation, reduced reactive oxygen species formation, and improved mitochondrial respiration rates. Finally, Ad-PHB1 administration following SCI activated downstream signals including phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), and nuclear factor-kappaB. These data indicate that the PHB1 plays an important role in the development of SCI and might provide a therapeutic target to promote recovery from SCI.

Scavenging effects of natural phenols on oxidizing intermediates of peroxynitrite.

Most of peroxynitrite (ONOO-/ONOOH) is formed via the diffusion-limited reaction between nitric oxide and superoxide. In biological systems, the decomposition of ONOO- yields 30-35% of carbonate radical (CO3*-) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2*), which are strongly oxidizing intermediates and are suggested to take a part of the responsibility for the toxicity of nitric oxide (NO*) or ONOO-. Therefore, the current study focuses on the scavenging activities of phenols toward CO3*- and NO2* to protect biomolecules from damage caused by NO* or ONOO- using the technique of pulse radiolysis. From the build-up kinetic of the phenoxyl radicals and the decay kinetic of CO3*- radical, the rate constants of scavenging reactions were determined to be 1.9-3.4 x 10(8) M(-1) x s(-1) and 0.11-1.9 x 10(8) M(-1) x s(-1) for CO3*- and NO2* respectively. The results indicated that the tested phenols are the efficient scavengers of CO3*- and NO2*.

Fast repair of the poly G hydroxyl radical adduct by two phenylpropanoid glycosides.

The repair activities and the reaction mechanisms of two phenylpropanoid glycosides (PPGs), isolated from a herb used in Chinese folk medicine, towards the oxidizing hydroxyl radical adduct of poly G were studied with a pulse radiolytic technique. On pulse irradiation of a nitrous oxide saturated 4 mM aqueous solution of poly G containing one of the tested compounds, the transient absorption spectrum of the hydroxyl radical adduct of poly G decays with the formation of that of the phenoxyl radical of the tested compound within several tens microseconds after the electron pulse irradiation. The results indicated that there was a repair reaction between the hydroxyl radical adduct of poly G and the compounds tested. The rate constants for the repair reactions of poly G hydroxyl radical adducts by verbasicoside and cistanoside C were determined to be 1.4 and 1.0 x 10(9) M(-1) x s(-1), respectively.

[Clinical study on treatment of female idiopathic precocious puberty with combined therapy of Chinese medicine and megestrol acetate].

OBJECTIVE: To find effective therapeutic approach for treating true idiopathic precocious puberty suitable to our national condition and different from gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist. METHODS: One hundred and six girls with idiopathic precocious puberty were divided into 3 groups. The 51 girls in the combination therapy group were treated with megestrol acetate (MA) and Chinese medicine for nourishing Yin and removing Fire, the 35 girls in the MA treated group were treated with MA alone and the other 20 girls were given no treatment at all as control. Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) stimulating test was performed before and after treatment, and size of uterus and ovary, linear growth rate, X-ray bone age measurement and final height prediction were also observed simultaneously. RESULTS: After being treated with combination therapy for 2.7 years in average, in the combination therapy group, the luteinizing hormone peak value of LHRH stimulating test was reduced from 48.5 +/- 37.1 IU/L to 12.2 +/- 9.3 IU/L (P < 0.001), size of uterus and ovary decreased, secondary sexual characteristics regressed, the bone age difference/chronological age difference value (delta BA/delta CA) reduced from 1.35 +/- 0.64 to 0.65 +/- 0.36(P < 0.001), and predictive final height increased from 153.3 +/- 3.6 cm to 158.5 +/- 4.3 cm (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Combination therapy could not only modulate the function of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and the development of internal genitalia, but also could slow down skeletal growth, delay skeletal maturation, and thereby prevent premature epiphyseal fusion and increase the final height of patients.

Effects of ascorbic acid and DL-alpha-tocopherol on human hepatoma cell proliferation and redifferentiation.

AIM: To examine the effects of ascorbic acid (AA) and DL-alpha-tocopherol (alpha T) on the proliferation and redifferentiation of human hepatoma cell. METHODS: Choosing an all-trans retinoic acid (RA) as a positive control, cell surface charge, biochemical changes, and cell growth in soft agar were measured. RESULTS: After treatment with AA 4 mmol.L-1 and alpha T 1 mmol.L-1 together, the growth curve and mitotic index of human hepatoma cells decreased remarkably, the cellular growth inhibitory rate amounted to 61.3%. The indices related to cell malignancy alleviated significantly; cell surface charge decreased, the electrophoresis rate dropped from 1.64 to 0.89 microns.s-1.V-1.cm-1, the average value of alpha-fetoprotein (alpha-FP) content decreased from 300 to 80 micrograms.g-1 (protein), and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (gamma-GT) activity decreased from 0.81 to 0.201 U.g-1(protein). The index related to cell differentiation increased significantly, such as the average level of tyrosine-alpha-ketoglutarate transaminase activity increased from 10.6 to 45 micrograms.g-1 (protein), and the colonogenic potential decreased by 96.6%. CONCLUSION: AA and alpha T combination inhibited human hepatoma cell proliferation, induced redifferentiation, and reversed its malignant phenotypic characteristics.

Effects of ascorbic acid on human hepatoma cell proliferation and redifferentiation.

AIM: To examine the effects of ascorbic acid (AA) on hepatoma. METHODS: Choosing an all-trans tretinoin (Tre) as a positive control, cell growth, and cell redifferentiation tests by cell surface charges, biochemical changes, and cell growth in soft agar were measured. RESULTS: After being treated with AA 6 mmol.L-1, the growth curve and mitotic index of human hepatoma cells decreased remarkably, the cellular growth inhibitory rate amounted to 58.9%. The indices related with cell malignancy alleviated, such as cell surface charge obviously decreased, the electrophoresis rate dropped from 1.64 microns.s-1.V-1.cm-1 to 0.93, the average value of alpha-fetoprotein (alpha-FP) content decreased from 302 micrograms.g-1(protein) to 90, and gamma-glytamyl-transpeptidase (gamma-GT) activity from 0.81 U.g-1(protein) to 0.16. The index related with cell differentiation increased, such as the average level of tyrosine-alpha-ketoglutarate transminase activity increased from 10.3 micromol.g-1(protein) to 41.2, and the colonogenic potential decreased 94.4%. CONCLUSION: AA can inhibit human hepatoma cells proliferation, induce redifferentiation, and reverse its malignant phenotypic characteristics.