Role of miR-511 in the Regulation of OATP1B1 Expression by Free Fatty Acid

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of non-coding RNA that are able to adjust the expression of many proteins, including ATP-binding cassette transporter and organic cation transporter. We sought to evaluate the effect of miR-511 on the regulation of OATP1B1 expression by free fatty acids. When using free fatty acids to stimulate Chang liver cells, we found that the expression of miR-511 increased significantly while the expression of OATP1B1 decreased. We also proved that SLCO1B1 is the target gene of miR-511 with a bioinformatics analysis and using the dual luciferase reporter assay. Furthermore, the expressions of SLCO1B1 and OATP1B1 decreased if transfecting Chang liver cells with miR-511, but did not increase when transfecting the inhibitors of miR-511 into steatosis cells. Our study indicates that miR-511 may play an important role in the regulation of OATP1B1 expression by free fatty acids.

Effects of brucine on vascular endothelial growth factor expression and microvessel density in a nude mouse model of bone metastasis due to breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of brucine on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and microvessel density (MVD) in a nude mouse model of bone metastasis due to breast cancer, and to assess the possible antitumor mechanism of brucine. METHODS: A syringe needle was used to directly inject 0.2 mL monoplast suspension (with 2×10(5) human breast cancer cells contained) into the bony femoral cortex of the right hind leg for modeling. Twenty-five nude mice were randomized into five groups and administered with an intraperitoneal injection of saline or drug for 8 consecutive days: model group (0.2 mL normal saline), low-dose brucine group (1.73 mg·kg(-1)), medium-dose brucine group (3.45 mg·kg(-1)), high-dose brucine group (6.90 mg·kg(-1)), and thalidomide group (200 mg·kg(-1)). Diet and activity were recorded, and the tumors were harvested 5 weeks later. The percentage of VEGF-positive cells was determined with hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining, and MVD expression was determined by optical microscopy. RESULTS: The VEGF expressions in brucine- or thalidomide-treated mice were significantly reduced as compared with mice in the model group (P <0.01). There were no significant difference between the high-dose brucine group and the thalidomide group (P >0.05). Significant difference was between the high- and low-dose brucine group P<0.05). Further, VEGF expression was significantly increased in the low- and medium-dose brucine groups compared with the thalidomide group (P <0.05). The MVD values in the three brucine and thalidomide groups were significantly lower than that in the model group (P <0.01). The MVD values in the medium- and high-dose brucine groups were not significantly different from those in the thalidomide group (P >0.05), while the MVD value showed a significant increase in the low-dose group compared with the thalidomide group (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Brucine could inhibit the growth of breast cancer to bone metastases, possibly by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis.

Progress of experimental researches on Chinese herbal compounds for inducing tumor cell apoptosis.

Cell apoptosis is an initiative process of cell death regulated by genes. Inducing cell apoptosis is a new way of cancer treatment. In this paper, the progress in experimental studies on the effect of Chinese herbal compounds (CHC) on the induction of tumor cell apoptosis will be reviewed in terms of major mechanisms (gene expression regulation, cell morphology change, telomerase activity change, and immunity enhancement, etc.). The study on disassembled CHC, as well as the synergistic effect when in combined use with chemotherapy for inducing apoptosis, is also reviewed here.

Construction and application of a genechip method for detection of hepatitis B virus lamivudine-resistant mutants and basal core promotor/Pre-C mutants / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The objective of this research is to construct a clinic-usable genechip method for detection of hepatitis B virus lamivudine-resistant mutants and basal core promotor/Pre-C mutants, compare this method with DNA sequencing to investigate this genechip's character (sensity, specificity, stability and practicability in clinic) and apply it in clinic.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This genechip detection method can detect the DNA and 8 mutative site of HBV, include 3 lamivudine-resistant mutation site(No. 180, 204, 207 site in DNA polymerase gene), 5 HBeAg escape-related mutation site (nt 1896, 1899, 1862, 1764,1762 site in BCP/Pre-C region).The results of genechip method was verified by DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In detecting HBV DNA, the results of genechip were agree with 100% of the results of DNA sequencing. In detecting HBV mutants, 251 sites (in 32 samples, 256 sites) showed the same results using both methods, and only 5 sites were not completely match (P > 0.05). In these 5 sites, genechip methods got multi-infection results, but sequencing got single-infection results.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These results suggest that genechip method has the same positive rate and almost these same specificity with DNA sequencing method, and is better than DNA sequencing method in detecting multi-infected HBV strains. [Key words]</p>

High-flux detection of HBV lamivudine resistant strains by genechip and analysis of mutant hotspots in those strains / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Lamivudine resistant HBV strains in Shenzhen were detected at multiple sites and in large amounts to understand further the distribution of lamivudine resistant mutants.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>552 Hepatitis B patients's sera were examined using genechip method. Among them, 192 samples of lamivudine resistant mutant were further analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In those 192 lamivudine resistant samples, 191 were YMDD mutants, 124 mutants of codon 528 and 9 mutants of codon 555. 88% YMDD mutants were multi-mutants of YVDD and codon 528; single mutants of YIDD; multi-mutants of YIDD and codon 528. 91% codon of YMDD mutants were GTG, ATT; the other 9% were ATA, ATC.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results suggest that mutants of codon 552 (YMDD) are core mutants. Mutants of codon 528 and 555 are incidental mutants, YVDD mutants always emerge with mutants of codon 528, but YIDD mutants appear differently. 9% YMDD mutants's codons are ATA or ATC. This may be the reason for the low positive rate shown by using the conventional PCR methods.</p>

Study on purification technology of patchouly oil with molecular distillation / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish an advanced purification techniques of the essential oils obtained from Pogostemon cablin.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Molecular distillation (MD) was applied.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Four distillates were obtained, chemical constituents of which were analyzed with GC-MS. Compared with those in original oils, the contents of active compounds (patchouli alcohol and pogostone) rose by 27%-47% in the distillates II and III.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Molecular distillation (MD) effectively raises the contents of patchouli alcohol and pogostone. The work is of great economic and scientific significance for the industrialization of P. cablin and the discovery of new drugs.</p>

Construction of a genechip method for detection of hepatitis B virus DNA, basal core promotor and Pre-C mutants / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To establish a genechip method for detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, basal core promotor (BCP), and Pre-C mutants.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study used two kinds of technology (PCR, oligochip), which can detect five mutant hotspots including nt 1 896, nt 1 899, nt 1 862, nt 1 764 and nt 1 762. The results of genechip method was verified by DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In detecting HBV DNA, the results of genechip were 100% consistent with those of DNA sequencing. In detecting HBV BCP and Pre-C mutants, 146 codons showed the same results using both methods, except for only 4 codons (P greater than 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This convenient high throughput genechip method could detect several BCP and Pre-C mutant codons at the same time. These results suggest that genechip method has the same positive rate and specificity with DNA sequencing method. It has more advantages than the latter in detecting mixed mutants and therefore may be used in clinical practice.</p>