Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a flavonoid monomer with confirmed antioxidant activity. However, the specific effects of ISL on AP have not been determined. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of ISL on AP using two mouse models. In the caerulein-induced mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) model, dynamic changes in oxidative stress injury of the pancreatic tissue were observed after AP onset. We found that ISL administration reduced serum amylase and lipase levels and alleviated the histopathological manifestations of pancreatic tissue in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, ISL decreased the oxidative stress injury and increased the protein expression of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. In addition, after administering a Nrf2 inhibitor (ML385) or HO-1 inhibitor (zinc protoporphyrin) to block the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, we failed to observe the protective effects of ISL on AP in mice. Furthermore, we found that ISL mitigated the severity of pancreatic tissue injury and pancreatitis-associated lung injury in a severe acute pancreatitis model induced by L-arginine. Taken together, our data for the first time confirmed the protective effects of ISL on AP in mice via inhibition of oxidative stress and modulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.
Objective: Wogonin has been reported to exhibit pharmacological effects against cancer by regulating cell proliferation, metastasis and apoptosis, however, the role of wogonin in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains poorly elucidated. Objective: The current study aimed to illustrate whether wogonin influences HCC cell cycle progression and apoptosis by regulating Hippo signaling. Methods: The effects of wogonin on HCC cell viability, cell cycle progression and apoptosis were analyzed by utilizing CCK-8 and flow cytometry. RNA-seq was employed to analyze the expression profiles between wogonin-treated and control HCC cells, and the selected RNA-seq transcripts were validated by Reverse Transcription-quantitative realtime Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the distribution of YAP/TAZ in the nucleus and cytoplasm in HCC cells. Western blotting and human apoptosis array were performed to examine the expression of the indicated genes. Results: We demonstrated that wogonin induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of HCC cell lines SMMC7721 and HCCLM3. RNA-seq analysis showed enrichment in genes associated with cell cycle progression and apoptosis following incubation with wogonin in HCC cells, and the pathways analysis further identified that Hippo signaling pathways highly altered in wogonin-treated cells. Specifically, wogonin increased the phosphorylation of MOB1 and LATS1, promoted translocation of endogenous YAP and TAZ from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and facilitated phosphorylation of YAP and TAZ. Notably, overexpression of YAP or TAZ partially abrogated the wogonin-mediated HCC cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and reversed wogonin-mediated suppression of Claspin. Conclusion: Wogonin induced HCC cell cycle arrest and apoptosis probably by activating MOB1-LATS1 signaling to inhibit the activation of YAP and TAZ, and then decrease the expression of Claspin, suggesting that the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying wogonin-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis may be useful in HCC therapeutics.
Objective
To explore the protective effect of astragaloside Ⅳ on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) in rats.
Methods
Seventy-five SD rats were divided into Sham group (control group) , HIRI group (ischemia-reperfusion group) , and astragaloside Ⅳ groups (low dose group, middle dose group, and high dose group) , to establish the model of rat HIRI. After liver was reperfused with blood for 4 h, 8 h, and 16 h, specimens of blood and liver tissues were collected. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) , aspertate aminotransferase (AST) was detected, the changes of liver cell micro-structure were observed under the optical microscope. Western Blotting and immunohistochemical staining was used to analyze the expression of Caspase-3, 8, 9 protein in liver tissues. The liver cell apoptosis rate was examined by flow cytometry.
Results
The levels of ALT, AST in HIRI group raised and in the drug groups decreased obviously. The liver cell damage significantly reduced in drug groups. Compared to HIRI group, the expression of Caspase-3, 8, 9 and apoptosis rate in high dose group were significantly reduced.
Conclusion
Astragaloside Ⅳ pretreatment can reduce HIRI in rats and its mechanism may be associated with inhibiting the expression levels of Caspase-3, 8, 9 and apoptosis inhibition.
Key words:
Immunochemistry; Reperfusion injury; Ischemia; Caspases
Objective
To observe and to compare the efficacy of laparoscopic and laparotomy splenectomy and pericardial devascularization in the treatment of portal hypertension.
Methods
From March 2013 to December 2018, clinical data of patients with portal hypertension for splenomegaly, hypersplenism and esophageal and gastric fundus varices were analyzed retrospectively, among them, 21 cases underwent laparoscopic splenectomy and pericardial devascularization (laparoscopic group) and 50 cases underwent laparotomy of splenectomy and pericardial devascularization (laparotomy group). Statistical analysis were performed by using GraphPad Prism 6.0 software. Measurement data such as intraoperative and postoperative indicators were expressed as (±s) and examined by using independent t-test. The complication rate were compared by using χ2 test. Survival were analyzed by using Kaplan Meier method, and were examined by using log rank test. A P value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant difference.
Results
Compared with laparotomy group, in addition to much longer operating time(P 0.05).
Conclusion
Laparoscopic splenectomy and pericardial devascularization for the treatment of portal hypertension has the advantages of less surgical trauma, less intraoperative bleeding, faster postoperative recovery, lower incidence of postoperative incision infection, and shorter hospital stay. Laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of portal hypertension is safe and feasible.
Key words:
Hypertension, portal; Splenectomy; Laparoscopes; Laparotomy; Comparative effectiveness research
Abstract Background: To investigate the value of serum hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH) level, an isozyme of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), in evaluating the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP).Methods: Patients diagnosed with AP from January 2013 to December 2018 were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into the normal serum HBDH levels group (n-HBDH group) and the high serum HBDH levels group (h-HBDH group) according to the criteria HBDH ≥ 182 U/L after admission. The demographic parameters, laboratory data and the severity of AP in the two groups were compared. The receiver operating curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the efficacy of serum HBDH in predicting persistent organ failure and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).Results: A total of 260 AP patients were enrolled, including 176 cases in the n-HBDH group and 84 cases in the h-HBDH group. The incidence of SIRS and organ failure in the h-HBDH group were significantly higher than those in n-HBDH group (both P < 0.001). In addition, the HBDH level was significantly decreased in 110 patients who were re-measured after AP treatment. The serum HBDH levels were positively correlated with Atlanta classification, Ranson score, and BISAP score (all P < 0.05). ROC analysis showed that a serum HBDH cut-off point of 195.0 U/L had optimal predictive value for the development of persistent organ failure (AUC = 0.778) and 166.5 U/L for the development of SIRS (AUC = 0.724).Conclusion: The elevated serum HBDH in early stage of AP is closely related to the adverse prognosis of AP patients, which can be used as a potential early biomarker for predicting the severity of AP.
The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of fatty pancreas in Yangzhou, China.This was a cross-sectional study. Initially, 2093 subjects were included in the study. After the exclusion of 865 subjects based on incomplete information, a total of 1228 subjects were selected for further analysis. The subjects were stratified into two groups (the fatty pancreas group and the non-fatty pancreas group) based on the results. Anthropometric and biochemical findings were compared between the groups.Among the 2093 study subjects, 56 (2.7%) had fatty pancreas. Overall, 53 out of 1228 subjects were diagnosed with fatty pancreas and included into the fatty pancreas group. Univariate analysis showed significant differences in age and the prevalence of general obesity, central obesity, alcohol consumption, metabolic syndrome and fatty liver between the two groups (all p < 0.01). The fatty pancreas group had higher levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, serum uric acid, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein, and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein than did the non-fatty pancreas group (all p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (p = 0.007), central obesity (p = 0.002) and fatty liver (p = 0.006) were independent risk factors for fatty pancreas, with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.034 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.009-1.059), 5.364 (95% CI: 1.890-15.227), and 2.666 (95% CI: 1.332-5.338), respectively.The prevalence of fatty pancreas in the examined population is approximately 2.7%. Increased age, central obesity and fatty liver disease are independent risk factors for fatty pancreas.
Abstract Background: To investigate the value of serum hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH) level, an isozyme of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), in evaluating the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP).Methods: Patients diagnosed with AP from January 2013 to December 2018 were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into the normal serum HBDH levels group (n-HBDH group) and the high serum HBDH levels group (h-HBDH group) according to the criteria HBDH ≥ 182 U/L after admission. The demographic parameters, laboratory data and the severity of AP in the two groups were compared. The receiver operating curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the efficacy of serum HBDH in predicting persistent organ failure and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).Results: A total of 260 AP patients were enrolled, including 176 cases in the n-HBDH group and 84 cases in the h-HBDH group. The incidence of SIRS and organ failure in the h-HBDH group were significantly higher than those in n-HBDH group (both P < 0.001). In addition, the HBDH level was significantly decreased in 110 patients who were re-measured after AP treatment. The serum HBDH levels were positively correlated with Atlanta classification, Ranson score, and BISAP score (all P < 0.05). ROC analysis showed that a serum HBDH cut-off point of 195.0 U/L had optimal predictive value for the development of persistent organ failure (AUC = 0.778) and 166.5 U/L for the development of SIRS (AUC = 0.724).Conclusion: The elevated serum HBDH in early stage of AP is closely related to the adverse prognosis of AP patients, which can be used as a potential early biomarker for predicting the severity of AP.