Interleukin-1β upregulates matrix metalloproteinase-13 gene expression via c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 MAPK pathways in rat hepatic stellate cells.

Matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) is crucial in the cleavage and remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and its expression levels are decreased following the induction of liver fibrosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in interleukin (IL)-1β-mediated MMP-13 gene expression in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In the present study, we demonstrated that IL-1β is capable of activating JNK and p38 in a time-dependent manner and the inhibition of the JNK pathway is able to increase MMP-13 mRNA expression; however, the inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway is capable of inhibiting MMP-13 gene expression.

Mechanism of interleukin-1β-induced proliferation in rat hepatic stellate cells from different levels of signal transduction.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the major producers of collagen in the liver. Their conversion from resting cells to proliferative, contractile, and activated cells is a critical step leading to liver fibrosis that is characterized by the deposition of excessive extracellular matrix. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) may play a role in maintaining HSC in a proliferative state that is responsible for hepatic fibrogenesis.

Role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38/activation protein-1 in interleukin-1β-mediated type I collagen synthesis in rat hepatic stellate cells.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) may play a role in maintaining hepatic stellate cell (HSC) in activated state that is responsible for hepatic fibrogenesis. However, the signal transduction pathway that is stimulated by IL-1 in HSC remains to be fully elucidated. The aims of this study were to investigate the role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38/activation protein (AP-1) in IL-1β-mediated type I collagen synthesis in rat HSCs.

Differential role of YiGanKang decoction in IL-1β induction of IL-1RI and AP-1 in rat hepatic stellate cell.

Background/aim: YiGanKang, a combination of Chinese herbs, has anti-fibrosis effects in chronic liver diseases. The present study tries to demonstrate differential role of YiGanKang Decoction in interleukin-1β (IL-1β) induction of the type I receptor (IL-1RI) and the activator protein 1 (AP-1) in rat hepatic stellate cell (HSC).

Methods: Flow cytometry was used to detect the IL-1RI expression.

Suppressive effects of YiGanKang, a combination of Chinese herbs, on collagen synthesis in hepatic stellate cell.

Background/aim: Clinical practice and animal research demonstrated that YiGanKang, a combination of Chinese herbs, has anti-fibrosis effects in chronic liver diseases. However, the mechanism is not clear. The present study is to investigate the inhibiting mechanism of YiGanKang on collagen type I synthesis induced by Interleukin-1β(IL-1 β) in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

[The role of apoptosis and the related genes in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis].

Objective: To study the role of apoptosis and the expression of apoptosis-related genes Fas ligand (FasL), Fas, caspase-3 and caspase-8 in an animal model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Methods: An experimental progressive NASH model was established by feeding male C57BL6/J mice with a high fat, methionine-choline deficient (MCD-) diet for two days, five days, ten days, three weeks and eight weeks. Control mice were fed methionine-choline supplemented (MCD+) diet.

Diabetes mellitus with hepatic infarction: a case report with literature review.

Hepatic infarction rarely occurs due to the double supply of arterial and portal inflow. A 53-year-old man with diabetes mellitus developed multiple hepatic infarctions after an episode of fever and diarrhea. The infarction was documented by pathology after partial liver resection.

Comparison of protocatechuic aldchyde in Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza and corresponding pharmacological sera from normal and fibrotic rats by high performance liquid chromatography.

Aim: To observe the effect of protocatechuic aldchyde on the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Methods: Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Then normal and fibrotic drug sera were extracted from rats.

Interleukin-1 beta up-regulates tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 mRNA and phosphorylation of c-jun N-terminal kinase and p38 in hepatic stellate cells.

Aim: To study the relationship between interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) up-regulating tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMMP-1) mRNA expression and phosphorylation of both c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC).

Methods: RT-PCR was performed to measure the expression of TIMMP-1 mRNA in rat HSC. Western blot was performed to measure IL-1beta-induced JNK and p38 activities in rat HSC.

Efficacy of Chinese medicine Yi-gan-kang granule in prophylaxis and treatment of liver fibrosis in rats.

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of a Chinese medicine, Yi-gan-kang granule (granules for benefiting the liver), in prophylaxis and treatment of liver fibrosis in rats and its possible mechanism.

Methods: One hundred and forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups (20 each): group 1, blank control group without any interference during the study; group 2, CCl4-induced liver fibrosis group; group 3, pig serum-induced liver fibrosis group; group 4, prophylaxis group of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis by Yi-gan-kang; group 5, prophylaxis group of pig serum-induced liver fibrosis by Yi-gan-kang; group 6, treatment group of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis by Yi-gan-kang; group 7, treatment group of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis by Yi-gan-kang. At wk 6, 10, 14 and 20 (baseline for CCl4 or big serum induction), five rats in each group were anesthetized and their livers were removed for pathological studies including immunohistochemical studies for alpha-SMA, type I collagen and in situ hybridization of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) mRNA of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Effects of pharmacological serum from normal and liver fibrotic rats on HSCs.

Aim: To make drug sera of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Yigankang, both of which are Chinese herbs that activate bleeding and eliminate stasis, in normal rats and those with liver fibrosis, respectively. To investigate and compare the effects of the two different drug sera on the proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Methods: Some rats were induced with liver fibrosis: 40% carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) subcutaneous injection, twice a week for 9 wk.

[Effects of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae on Ca2+ in hepatic stellate cells].

Objective: To investigate the effects of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (RSM) on intracellular free calcium in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Methods: After the model of hepatic fibrosis was established in SD rats, RSM [20 ml/(kg x d)] was given via gastrogavage to the rats of treatment groups while the same volume of 0.9% NaCl was given to the rats of control groups twice a day for 6 consecutive days.

Effects of killing Helicobacter pylori quadruple therapy on peptic ulcer: a randomized double-blind clinical trial.

Aim: To study the therapeutic efficacy of a Chinese and Western integrated regimen, killing Helicobacter pylori quadruple therapy on H pylori-associated peptic ulcers (PU).

Methods: With prospective and double-blind controlled method, seventy-five active PU patients with H pylori infection were randomized to receive one of the following three regimens: (1) new triple therapy (group A: lansoprazole 30 mg qd, plus clarithromycin 250 mg bid, plus amoxycillin 500 mg tid, each for 10 d); (2) killing Hp quadruple therapy(group B: the three above drugs plus killing H pylori capsule 6 capsules bid for 4 wk) and (3) placebo(group C: gastropine 3 tablets bid for 4 wk). H pylori eradication and ulcer healing quality were evaluated under an endoscope 4 wk after treatment.

Current research of hepatic cirrhosis in China.

Hepatic cirrhosis is a common disease that poses a serious threat to public health, and is characterized by chronic, progressive and diffuse hepatic lesions preceded by hepatic fibrosis regardless of the exact etiologies. In recent years, considerable achievements have been made in China in research of the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and especially the treatment of hepatic fibrosis, resulting in much improved prognosis of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. In this paper, the authors review the current status of research in hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and their major complications.

[Effects of aldosterone and spironolactone on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of hepatic stellate cells in rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of aldosterone and spironolactone on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of hepatic stellate cells.

Methods: Rat HSC were incubated with aldosterone or spironolactone, an aldosterone receptor antagonist at different concentrations. The proliferation of HSC was measured by (3)H-thymidine incorporation, and the collagen synthesis by (3)H-Proline.

[Effects of ET-1 on isolated perfused rat liver and vascular rings at two stages of cirrhosis].

Objective: To investigate the effects of ET-1 on isolated perfused rat liver and vascular rings at early and late stages of cirrhosis.

Methods: Liver cirrhosis was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of 50% CCl(4) (0.3 ml/100 g, twice a week).

The expression of hTERT mRNA and cellular immunity in gastric cancer and precancerosis.

Aim: To observe the expression of Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in gastric carcinomas and precancerosis lesions, to evaluate the immune state of such patients, and to then study the clinical significance of hTERT and immune state for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of gastric cancer.

Methods: In situ hybridization was used to detect the expression of hTERT mRNA in 116 endoscopic of gastric mucosa. Analyzed tissue samples were as follows: 30 cases of chronic superficial gastritis (CSG), 44 of precancerosis lesions (including 27 of chronic atrophic gastritis, 8 of adenomatous polyp and 9 of gastric ulcer) and 42 of gastric cancer (GC).

Effects of Yigan Decoction on proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells.

Aim: To investigate the effects of Chinese herb Yigan Decoction on proliferation and apoptosis of the hepatic stellate cells (HSC) in vitro.

Methods: The study in vitro was carried out in the culture of HSC lines. Various concentrations of Yigan Decoction were added and incubated.

Clinical and experimental study of effect of Raondix Salviae Militiorrhiza and other blood-activating and stasis-eliminating Chinese herbs on hemodynamics of portal hypertension.

AIM:To study the effects of Radix Salviae Militiorrhiza (RSM), other blood-activating and stasis-eliminating Chinese herbs on hemodynamics of portal hypertension.METHODS:Portal pressure of cirrhotic dogs after chronic common bile duct ligation was measured directly; portal blood flow in patients with liver cirrhosis were detected by ultrasound Doppler.RESULTS:After administration of RSM and Radix Angelicae Sinensis (RAS) by intravenous infusion in cirrhosis dogs, the portal venous pressure (Ppv), wedge hepatic venous pressure (WHVP), hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), were significantly decreased (P < 0.