[Effect of alisol A 24-acetate on proliferation of aorta smooth muscle cells in rats induced by ox-LDL].

Alisol A 24-acetate, a triterpenoid extracted from Alisma orientale, has shown anti-atherosclerotic actions and many studies have proved that oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) could promote proliferation of aorta smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) which are closely related to atherosclerosis (AS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of alisol A 24-acetate on the proliferation of VSMCs isolated from the thoracic aorta of rats induced by ox-LDL. VSMCs were induced by ox-LDL(50 mg·L⁻¹) to establish the proliferation model and intervened by alisol A 24-acetate (5, 10, 20 mg·L⁻¹) for 12, 24 and 48 h.

Effects of storage conditions on the stability of serum CD163, NGAL, HMGB1 and MIP2.

Background: Several cytokines have been involved in the diagnosis and prognosis for the pathogenesis and severity of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) such as cluster of differentiation 163 (CD163), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2). Nevertheless, the stability and reliability of these cytokines can be greatly influenced by handling and storage processes.

Methods: In this study, potential utility of serum samples of a CHB cohort was evaluated to investigate several processes that might impact cytokine profiles such as temperature, storage time and number of freeze-thaw cycles.

Interferon-associated retinopathy risk in patients with diabetes and hypertensive hepatitis C.

Aim: To investigate the association of hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) with interferon-associated retinopathy (IAR) risk in chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Methods: Two investigators independently searched PubMed and Embase for eligible articles published prior to December 2013; additional studies were identified by reviewing the bibliographies. Only case-control or cohort studies that evaluated the association between hypertension and/or DM and IAR incidence in CHC patients were included.

Involvement of REST corepressor 3 in prognosis of human hepatitis B.

Aim: To examine the potential correlation between serum REST corepressor 3 (RCOR3) level and the outcome of patients with hepatitis B.

Methods: Concanavalin A (ConA)-induced mouse hepatitis model was used. The mRNA level of RCOR3 in mouse liver was measured using GeneChip array and real-time PCR.