Effects of Ganfukang on expression of connective tissue growth factor and focal adhesion kinase/protein kinase B signal pathway in hepatic fibrosis rats.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Ganfukang (GFK) on connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/protein kinase B (PKB or Akt) signal pathway in a hepatic fibrosis rat model and to explore the underlying therapeutic molecular mechanisms of GFK.

Methods: Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into five groups as follows: the control group, the model group (repeated subcutaneous injection of CCl4), and the three GFK treatment groups (31.25, 312.

Herb medicine Gan-fu-kang attenuates liver injury in a rat fibrotic model.

Aim Of The Study: To verify therapeutic effects of Gan-fu-kang (GFK), a traditional Chinese medicine compound, in a rat model and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Materials And Methods: Liver fibrosis was established by 12 weeks of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) treatment (0.5mg/kg, twice per week) followed by 8 weeks of "recovery" in rats.

Relation of Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) and cardiac transcription factor GATA4 expression in rat's cardiac myocytes hypertrophy and apoptosis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of GATA4 in hypertrophy and survival functions of CT-1 in the heart, and to apply chemical inhibitor strategies to assess a possible interaction of signaling pathways involved in these processes. Expression of GATA4 was determined at the mRNA expression (polymerase chain reaction, PCR) and protein binding activity (electrophoretic mobility shift assays, EMSAs) levels. Myocardial apoptosis was detected using the in-situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method.

[Changes and significance of peripheral blood platelet count in tumor shrinkage induced by a low dose of CTX in T739 mice].

Aim: To establish a mouse model for BTT739 tumor-bearing mice cured by a low dose of cyclophosphamide (CTX). And then to observe the dynamic changes and significance of peripheral blood counts especially blood platelet count during tumor shrinkage induced by a low dose of CTX in T739 mice.

Methods: Mouse bladder carcinoma tissues were inoculated subcutaneously into T739 mice.

Effects of traditional chinese medicine on endotoxin and its receptors in rats with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Aims: The aim of this research is to study the effects of traditional Chinese medicine on endotoxin and its receptors in rats with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Methods: Fifty-six SD rats were divided into seven groups. All the animals were fed high fatty diet for 12 weeks.

[Relationship between TNFalpha and tumor rejection induced by a single dose of melphalan in C57BL/6 mice].

Aim: To investigate the relationship between TNFalpha and tumor rejection induced by a single dose of melphalan in C57BL/6 mice.

Methods: Different gene type mice (TNFR1(+/+), TNFR1(+/-) and TNFR1(-/-)) with the same genetic background of C57BL/6 were used in this experiment. Murine lymphoma EL4 cells were inoculated subcutaneously into the different gene type mice simultaneously.

Effect of Chinese traditional compound, Gan-fu-kang, on CCl(4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats and its probable molecular mechanisms.

Aim: To explore the antifibrotic effect of traditional Chinese medicine compound Gan-fu-kang (GFK) on CCl(4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats and its probable mechanisms.

Methods: The effects of GFK on CCl(4)-induced liver fibrosis were tested in rats. The liver histopathology was examined by light microscope, polaring microscope and electron microscope.

[Effect of cardiotrophin-1 on cardiac transcription factor GATA4 expression in rat cardiomyocytes].

Objective: To investigate the effect of cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) on the GATA4 expression and related signaling pathways (JAK-STAT3, ERK1/2 and PI3-K) in rat cardiomyocytes.

Methods: Using semi-quantitative RT-PCR and EMSA, we measured the dose and time dependent effects of CT-1 on GATA4 mRNA and binding activity in cultured rat cardiomyocytes. Parthenolide (a STAT inhibitor), U-0126 (an ERK inhibitor) and LY-294002 (a PI3-K inhibitor) alone or in combination were added to the culture medium to assess the role of above signaling pathways in CT-1 mediated effects.