Biomedical subjects

Qing Li

Publications and source records attributed to Qing Li.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

[Application of histochemical staining in diagnosis of osteosarcomas].

OBJECTIVE: To study the histochemical staining in the diagnosis of osteosarcoma. METHODS: To compare the effectiveness of picrosirius red, improved Ponceau trichrome and Masson trichrome staining methods on bone formation tissues in conventional osteosarcoma, paraosteal osteosarcoma, periosteal osteosarcoma, extraskeletal osteosarcoma, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour, malignant fibrohistiocytoma, chondrosarcoma, fibrosis with ossification and calcification. RESULTS: With modified Ponceau trichrome staining, bone formation tissues showed a homogenous, orange-red interblended with blue in color. From osteoid to mature bone the color changed from orange-red, light blue to dark blue. Fibrotic tissue was stained blue in color with striated appearance. Cartilage was not stained. Picrosirius red method gave bone formation tissues homogenous staining. Along with bone maturation, from osteoid tissue to mineralized bones, the color showed changes from light red, yellow, orange-red, red to dark purple. The cartilage demonstrated homogenous light red in color. Fibrous tissue stained red interblended with yellow in color, striated in shape. With Masson trichrome staining osteoid displayed pale blue and mineralized bone showed dark blue in color. Fibrotic tissue showed a striated blue staining. CONCLUSION: The modified Ponceau trichrome and Picrosirius red staining methods are better than Masson trichrome to demonstrate bone formation tissue in osteosarcoma. The former two methods could be also used in study on bone formation.

Bone Neoplasms↗

PubMed2005

Construction and functional test of HLA-A*2402-peptide tetramer.

HLA-A*2402 is one of the most frequent HLA-A allele in Asian population. To construct HLA-A*2402-peptide tetramers, the transmembrane and intracellular segments of HLA-A*2402 cDNA were replaced with BSP sequence to form a fusion gene of sHLA-A*2402-BSP. The sHLA-A*2402-BSP fusion protein and beta2m were high-level expressed as insoluble aggregates in E.coli, and refolded to form an HLA-A*2402-peptide monomeric complex by dilution method in the presence of an antigenic peptide. The HLA-A*2402-peptide monomeric complex was biotinated and tetramized to prepare HLA-A*2402-peptide tetramer. Then using the HLA-A*2402-peptide tetramers to detect antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) induced by artificial antigen presenting cell (aAPC) in vitro. The results showed that HLA-A*2402-peptide tetramer was prepared correctly, and functional in detecting antigen-specific CTL in vitro, HLA-A*2402-peptide monomeric and its multimeric complexes are expected to provide a powerful tool for studying mechanisms of immune-related diseases in Asian populations.

Alleles↗

PubMed2005

Preparation of TiO2-MoO3 nano-composite photo-catalyst by supercritical fluid dry method.

A series of TiO2-MoO3 nano-composite photocatalysts were prepared by supercritical fluid dry method (SCFD) and an impregnation technique with TiCl4 and (NH4)6Mo7O24.4H2O as the starting materials. The catalysts were characterized by the means of XRD, TEM and UV-Vis. Methyl orange was used as model compound for the evaluation of their catalytic activities. The results indicated that the photo-catalyst prepared by SCFD had the advantages of small size (12.84 nm), narrow distribution and good dispersivity. The presence of small amount of Mo in composite catalyst gives rise to the red shift of its absorbance wavelength, decrease of its energy gap and increase of the utility of visible light. Furthermore, higher surface acidity of the photo-catalyst was obtained as the result of the addition of MoO3. Compared with pure TiO2, the catalytic activity of the TiO2-MoO3 nano-composite photo-catalyst was improved significantly. As the doping concentration of the composite catalysts was controlled at 0.6% (molar percentage), 100% degradation of methyl orange was achieved with in 1.2 h irradiation time.

Azo Compounds↗

PubMed2005

[Effect of electroacupuncture on metabolism of lipids in rats of obesity induced by sodium glutamate].

OBJECTIVE: To explore mechanisms of acupuncture for reducing of body weight. METHODS: The rat obesity model was developed by subcutaneous injection of sodium glutamate solution, and the experimental rats were divided into a blank control group, a model group, an electroacupuncture group and a sibutramine group; blood TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C contents and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, and serum leptin and insulin levels were determined. RESULTS: The body weight and Lee's index, and TG, TC and LDL-C contents in the electroacupuncture group decreased significantly as compared with those in the model group (all P<0.01), the actions in the electroacupuncture group being superior to those in the sibutramine group; the HDL-C contents in both the electroacupuncture and the sibutramine groups were higher than that of the model group (P<0.01) with no significant difference between the electroacupuncture group and the sibutramine group; LPL activity in the electroacupuncture group increased significantly as compared with that in the model group (P<0.01); serum leptin and insulin levels in both the electroacupuncture group and the sibutramine group were lower than that in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), with no significant difference between the electroacupuncture group and the sibutramine group in the effect on insulin content, and the decrease of leptin level in the electroacupuncture group was more as compared with the sibutramine group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture can improve the status of high blood lipids, increase lipoprotein lipase activity, and regulate serum leptin and insulin levels in the obestic rat.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed2005

[Clinical observation on medicine-separated moxibustion for treatment of primary dysmenorrhea and study on the mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To observe clinical therapeutic effect of medicine-separated moxibustion on primary dysmenorrhea and study on the mechanism. METHODS: Ninety-six cases of primary dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 48 cases in each group. They were treated respectively with medicine-separated moxibustion and Yueyueshu Perfusing Powder for 3 consecutive months. RESULTS: The markedly effective and cured rate and the total effective rate were 87.5% and 100.0% in the treatment group, and 29.2% and 83.8% in the control group with significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). After treatment, blood prosglanding F2 content in menorrhea blood and oxytocin level in plasma during menstruation decreased significantly as compared with those before treatment (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The medicine-separated moxibustion has a reliable therapeutic effect on primary dysmenorrhea and the therapeutic effect is exerted possibly by regulating abnormal prosglanding and oxytocin levels in the patient.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed2004

Effects of nanomolar concentration dihydroouabain on calcium current and intracellular calcium in guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

The effects of nanomolar concentration of dihydroouabain (DHO) on L-type calcium current (ICa-L), TTX-sensitive calcium current (ICa(TTX)), and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) were investigated in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record ICa-L and ICa(TTX); [Ca2+]i was detected and recorded with the confocal microscopy. The nanomolar concentration of DHO increased the ICa-L, ICa(TTX), and [Ca2+]i, which could be partially inhibited by nisoldipine or TTX, but still appeared in the absence of extracellular K+ and Na+. These data suggest that DHO could increase [Ca2+]i in non-beating myocytes via stimulating the ICa-L and ICa(TTX), or perhaps triggering directly a release of intracellular calcium.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

A multiwall carbon nanotubes film-modified carbon fiber ultramicroelectrode for the determination of nitric oxide radical in liver mitochondria.

A novel chemically modified electrode based on the multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) film-coated carbon fiber ultramicroelectrode (CFUE) has been described for the determination of nitric oxide radical (.NO). The electrochemical behaviors of MWNTs-modified CFUE have been characterized in 0.2 mmol L(-1) K(4)Fe(CN)(6) and 0.1 mol L(-1) KCl solution. The Nafion film was used to avoid some electroactive interferences. The amount of Nafion was optimized, and some possible interferents [such as nitrite (NO(2)(-)), nitrate (NO(3)(-)), ascorbate, dopamine (DA), l-arginine (l-Arg), etc.] were tested and evaluated. The oxidation peak current of .NO increases significantly at the MWNT/Nafion-modified CFUE, in contrast to that at the bare and the Nafion-modified CFUE, and the oxidation peak potential is at 0.78 V (vs. SCE), which can be used for the detection of .NO. The oxidation peak current is linearly with the concentration of .NO from 2x10(-7) to 8.6x10(-5) mol L(-1), and the detection limit is 2x10(-8) mol L(-1). The liver mitochondria in Carassius auratus were isolated and .NO release from mitochondria was monitored by using this ultramicroelectrode system.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Assembly of well-aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes in confined polyacrylonitrile environments: electrospun composite nanofiber sheets.

Highly oriented, large area continuous composite nanofiber sheets made from surface-oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) were successfully developed using electrospinning. The preferred orientation of surface-oxidized MWNTs along the fiber axis was determined with transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction. The surface morphology and height profile of the composite nanofibers were also investigated using an atomic force microscope in tapping mode. For the first time, it was observed that the orientation of the carbon nanotubes within the nanofibers was much higher than that of the PAN polymer crystal matrix as detected by two-dimensional wide-angle X-ray diffraction experiments. This suggests that not only surface tension and jet elongation but also the slow relaxation of the carbon nanotubes in the nanofibers are determining factors in the orientation of carbon nanotubes. The extensive fine absorption structure detected via UV/vis spectroscopy indicated that charge-transfer complexes formed between the surface-oxidized nanotubes and negatively charged (-CN[triple bond]N:) functional groups in PAN during electrospinning, leading to a strong interfacial bonding between the nanotubes and surrounding polymer chains. As a result of the highly anisotropic orientation and the formation of complexes, the composite nanofiber sheets possessed enhanced electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, thermal deformation temperature, thermal stability, and dimensional stability. The electrical conductivity of the PAN/MWNT composite nanofibers containing 20 wt % nanotubes was enhanced to approximately 1 S/cm. The tensile modulus values of the compressed composite nanofiber sheets were improved significantly to 10.9 and 14.5 GPa along the fiber winding direction at the MWNT loading of 10 and 20 wt %, respectively. The thermal deformation temperature increased with increased MWNT loading. The thermal expansion coefficient of the composite nanofiber sheets was also reduced by more than an order of magnitude to 13 x 10(-6)/ degrees C along the axis of aligned nanofibers containing 20 wt % MWNTs.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

A point mutation in a silencer module reduces the promoter activity for the human mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase.

A promoter region of human mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MST) [EC 2.8.1.2] is G+C-rich and TATA-less, showing features of a house-keeping gene. In the core promoter, a GC box (-284:GGGGCGTGGC:-275) and an initiator (-219:TTATATG:-225) are found. A cap site hunting analysis for human liver cDNA revealed four possible transcriptional start sites, nucleotides -223, -159, -35 and -25. Point mutagenesis and deletion studies suggest that a module of the silencer element is -394:GCTG:-391. A replacement of -391G to C lost the silencer function; on the other hand, a replacement of -394G to T or C, -393C to T or -392T to G markedly reduced the promoter activity.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Dimethyl 2,2-dichlorovinyl phosphate (DDVP) markedly inhibits activities of natural killer cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes and lymphokine-activated killer cells via the Fas-ligand/Fas pathway in perforin-knockout (PKO) mice.

Natural killer (NK), lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) cells induce target cell death by two main mechanisms, the perforin/granzyme pathway and the Fas-ligand (FasL)/Fas pathway. We have previously found that organophosphorus pesticides significantly inhibit human and murine NK, LAK and CTL activities and that this inhibition is partially mediated by the inhibition of granzymes. We asked here whether organophosphorus pesticides also affect the FasL/Fas pathway by using perforin-knockout (PKO) mice. Thus, we examined the effect that dimethyl 2,2-dichlorovinyl phosphate (DDVP), an organophosphorus pesticide has on NK, CTL and LAK activities of PKO mice in vitro using the Fas antigen-positive YAC-1 cell as a target in the present study. We found that DDVP significantly decreased NK, CTL and LAK activities in a dose-dependent manner, and that the CTL and LAK activities of PKO mice were significantly blocked by anti-FasL antibody, suggesting that DDVP and anti-FasL antibody have the same/similar mechanism of inhibiting LAK and CTL activities. We further found that DDVP decreases the expression of Fas antigen on YAC-1 cells, and the expression of FasL on LAK cells in a dose-dependent manner, respectively. Taken together, these findings indicate that the DDVP-induced inhibition of NK, LAK and CTL activities in PKO mice is mediated by the impairment of the FasL/Fas pathway.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Protein kinase C delta is required for p47phox phosphorylation and translocation in activated human monocytes.

Our laboratory is interested in understanding the regulation of NADPH oxidase activity in human monocyte/macrophages. Protein kinase C (PKC) is reported to be involved in regulating the phosphorylation of NADPH oxidase components in human neutrophils; however, the regulatory roles of specific isoforms of PKC in phosphorylating particular oxidase components have not been determined. In this study calphostin C, an inhibitor for both novel PKC (including PKCdelta, -epsilon, -theta;, and -eta) and conventional PKC (including PKCalpha and -beta), inhibited both phosphorylation and translocation of p47phox, an essential component of the monocyte NADPH oxidase. In contrast, GF109203X, a selective inhibitor of classical PKC and PKCepsilon, did not affect the phosphorylation or translocation of p47phox, suggesting that PKCdelta, -theta;, or -eta is required. Furthermore, rottlerin (at doses that inhibit PKCdelta activity) inhibited the phosphorylation and translocation of p47phox. Rottlerin also inhibited O2 production at similar doses. In addition to pharmacological inhibitors, PKCdelta-specific antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides were used. PKCdelta antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides inhibited the phosphorylation and translocation of p47phox in activated human monocytes. We also show, using the recombinant p47phox-GST fusion protein, that p47phox can serve as a substrate for PKCdelta in vitro. Furthermore, lysate-derived PKCdelta from activated monocytes phosphorylated p47phox in a rottlerin-sensitive manner. Together, these data suggest that PKCdelta plays a pivotal role in stimulating monocyte NADPH oxidase activity through its regulation of the phosphorylation and translocation of p47phox.

Acetophenones↗

PubMed2004

Effects of angiotensin II on the pericyte-containing microvasculature of the rat retina.

The aim of this study was to identify the mechanisms by which angiotensin II alters the physiology of the pericyte-containing microvasculature of the retina. Despite evidence that this vasoactive signal regulates capillary perfusion by inducing abluminal pericytes to contract and thereby microvascular lumens to constrict, little is known about the events linking angiotensin exposure with pericyte contraction. Here, using microvessels freshly isolated from the adult rat retina, we monitored pericyte currents via perforated-patch pipettes, measured pericyte calcium levels with fura-2 and visualized pericyte contractions and lumen constrictions by time-lapse photography. We found that angiotensin activates nonspecific cation (NSC) and calcium-activated chloride channels; the opening of these channels induces a depolarization that is sufficient to activate the voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) expressed in the retinal microvasculature. Associated with these changes in ion channel activity, intracellular calcium levels rise, pericytes contract and microvascular lumens narrow. Our experiments revealed that an influx of calcium through the NSC channels is an essential step linking the activation of AT(1) angiotensin receptors with pericyte contraction. Although not required in order for angiotensin to induce pericytes to contract, calcium entry via VDCCs serves to enhance the contractile response of these cells. In addition to activating nonspecific cation, calcium-activated chloride and voltage-dependent calcium channels, angiotensin II also causes the functional uncoupling of pericytes from their microvascular neighbours. This inhibition of gap junction-mediated intercellular communication suggests a previously unappreciated complexity in the spatiotemporal dynamics of the microvascular response to angiotensin II.

Alkaloids↗

PubMed2004

A novel apoptosis pathway activated by the carboxyl terminus of p21.

Delivery of biologically active peptides into cells may help elucidate intracellular signal transduction pathways, identify additional in vivo functions, and develop new therapeutics. Although p21 was first identified as a major regulator of cell cycle progression, it is now clear that p21 subserves multiple functions. The amino terminus of p21 interacts with cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases, while the carboxyl terminus interacts with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible gene 45 (GADD45), calmodulin, SET, and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-alpha (C/EBP-alpha). A chimeric peptide, p21-IRS, consisting of the carboxyl terminal domain of p21 conjugated to a pentapeptide (RYIRS) rapidly enters lymphoid cells and activates apoptosis. In the present study, we investigate the molecular events involved in p21-activated apoptosis. Comparison of p21-IRS with other known proapoptotic agents demonstrates that p21-IRS activates a novel apoptotic pathway: mitochondria are central to the process, but caspases and a decrease in Deltapsi(m) are not involved. Targeting the p21 peptide to specific cell populations may allow development of novel therapies to eliminate aberrant cells in human diseases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

A death receptor-associated anti-apoptotic protein, BRE, inhibits mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

BRE, brain and reproductive organ-expressed protein, was found previously to bind the intracellular juxtamembrane domain of a ubiquitous death receptor, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNF-R1), and to down-regulate TNF-alpha-induced activation of NF-kappaB. Here we show that BRE also binds to another death receptor, Fas, and upon overexpression conferred resistance to apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha, anti-Fas agonist antibody, cycloheximide, and a variety of stress-related stimuli. However, down-regulation of the endogenous BRE by small interfering RNA increased apoptosis to TNF-alpha, but nottoetoposide, indicating that the physiological antiapoptotic role of this protein is specific to death receptor-mediated apoptosis. We further demonstrate that BRE mediates antiapoptosis by inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptotic machinery but without translocation to the mitochondria or nucleus or down-regulation of the cellular level of truncated Bid. Dissociation of BRE rapidly from TNF-R1, but not from Fas, upon receptor ligation suggests that this protein interacts with the death inducing signaling complex during apoptotic induction. Increased association of BREwith phosphorylated, sumoylated, and ubiquitinated proteins after death receptor stimulation was also detected. We conclude that in contrast to the truncated Bid that integrates mitochondrial apoptosis to death receptor-triggered apoptotic cascade, BRE inhibits the integration. We propose that BRE inhibits, by ubiquitination-like activity, components in or proximal to the death-inducing signaling complexes that are necessary for activation of the mitochondria.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2004

Prolyl endopeptidase-mediated destruction of T cell epitopes in whole gluten: chemical and immunological characterization.

Celiac Sprue is a widely prevalent immune disease of the small intestine induced by dietary gluten intake in genetically susceptible individuals. It has been suggested that prolyl endopeptidases (PEPs) may be useful catalysts for gluten detoxification. We have investigated this hypothesis using food-grade gluten as the target antigen, and a combination of mass spectrometry and patient-derived T cells as quantitative assay systems. Spectrometric characterization of physiologically proteolyzed gluten revealed a number of 10 to 50 residue peptides containing known T cell epitopes involved in Celiac Sprue pathogenesis. Several of these peptides were multivalent, suggesting they may be potent triggers of the inflammatory response to gluten in celiac patients. Treatment of proteolyzed gluten with recombinant bacterial PEP decreased the number of potentially immunostimulatory peptides. Substantially reduced immunogenicity was also quantified in 12 of 14 intestinal polyclonal T cell lines from celiac patients. Kinetic investigations using eight T cell clones showed rapid destruction of alpha-gliadin epitopes, but less complete processing of gamma-gliadin epitopes. Given the difficulty associated with a strict lifelong gluten-exclusion diet, the ability of a single enzyme to greatly reduce the antigenic burden of grocery store gluten reinforces the case for developing oral peptidase therapy against Celiac Sprue.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2004

Elevated frequency of sister chromatid exchanges of lymphocytes in sarin-exposed victims of the Tokyo sarin disaster 3 years after the event.

We previously reported that the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) among victims of the Tokyo subway sarin disaster was significantly higher than that of controls 2-3 months after the disaster. It has been reported that the victims were also exposed to the by-products generated during sarin synthesis, i.e., diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP), diethyl methylphosphonate (DEMP) and N,N-diethylaniline (DEA) during the disaster and we previously found that DIMP, DEMP and DEA induced a significant SCE increase in human lymphocytes in vitro. To monitor the genetic aftereffects of the sarin exposure, SCEs of peripheral blood lymphocytes were measured in fire fighters and police officers involved in the disaster 3 years after the event. We found that the frequency of SCEs was still significantly higher in the exposed subjects than the controls, suggesting a risk of the genetic aftereffects of the sarin exposure. We further found a significant positive correlation between the frequency of SCEs and the inhibition of serum cholinesterase activity in the exposed subjects, suggesting that the elevated frequency of SCEs is related to the sarin exposure. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in natural killer activity between the exposed and the controls.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Expression of transforming growth factor-alpha and hepatitis B surface antigen in human hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and its significance.

AIM: To evaluate the expression of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and its significance. METHODS: Seventy specimens of HCC tissues were detected by immunohistochemical method. Five specimens of normal human liver tissues were used as control. RESULTS: The TGF-alpha positive expression rates in HCC and its surrounding tissues were 74.3%(52/70) and 88.1%(52/59), respectively. TGF-alpha positive granules were mainly in the cytoplasm and fewer existed on the karyotheca. The TGF-alpha positive expressing rate in well differentiated HCC was significantly higher than that in moderately and poorly differentiated HCC (P<0.05). The TGF-alpha positive expression also was observed in intrahepatic bile ducts (part of those were hyperplastic ducts). The HBsAg positive expression rates in HCC and its surrounding tissues were 21.4%(15/70) and 79.7%(47/59), respectively. HBsAg positive granules were in the cytoplasm, inclusion and on the karyotheca. There was a prominent positive correlation between TGF-alpha and HBsAg expression in HCC surrounding tissues (P<0.05, gamma=0.34). TGF-alpha was usually existed with HBsAg in regenerated and/or dysplastic liver cells. In the five normal liver tissues, TGF-alpha and HBsAg were not detectable in hepatocytes and bile ducts. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis B virus infection is closely related with hepatocarcinogenesis. The overexpression of TGF-alpha in the liver seems to be associated with the regeneration of hepatocytes injured by HBsAg. The continued expression of TGF-alpha might lead to dysplasia of liver cells and development of HCC. Furthermore, TGF-alpha might play a role in morphogenesis and regeneration of intrahepatic bile ducts.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

PubMed2004

Therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of anti-fibrosis herbs and selenium on rats with hepatic fibrosis.

AIM: To study the therapeutic effects of anti-fibrosis herbs and selenium on hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) in rats and the underlining molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Fifty-three Wistar rats were randomly divided into: normal control group, model control group, colchicine group, anti-fibrosis herbs group (AF group) and anti-fibrosis herbs plus selenium group (AS group). The last four groups were administered with CCl(4) at the beginning of experiment to induce hepatic fibrosis. Then colchicine, anti-fibrosis herbs and selenium were used to treat them. The normal control group and the model control group were given normal saline at the same time. At the end of the 6(th) week, rats in each group were sacrificed. Blood and tissue specimens were taken. Serum indicators (ALT, AST, HA, LN) were determined and histopathological changes were graded. Lymphocyte CD(4) and CD(8) were examined by flow cytometry. Expression of TGF-beta(1) and NF-kappaB was detected by immunohistochemistry and expression of TGF-beta(1) mRNA was detected by semi-quantified RT-PCR. RESULTS: Histological grading showed much a smaller degree of hepatic fibrogenesis in AS group and AF group than that in colchicine group and model control group. The serum content of ALT, AST, HA and LN in AF group and AS group were significantly lower than that in colchicine group (ALT: 65.8+/-26.5, 67.3+/-18.4 and 96.2+/-20.9 in AF, AS and colchicine groups respectively; AST: 150.8+/-34.0, 154.6+/-27.3 and 215.8+/-24.6 respectively; HA: 228+/-83, 216+/-58 and 416+/-135 respectively; LN: 85.9+/-15.0, 80.6+/-18.6 and 106.3+/-14.2 respectively) (P<0.05). The level of CD(4) and CD(4)/CD(8) ratio in AF group and AS group was significantly higher that those in cochicine group (CD(4): 50.8+/-3.8, 52.6+/-3.4 and 40.2+/-2.1 in AF, AS and colchicine groups respectively; CD(4)/CD(8) ratio: 1.45, 1.46 and 1.26, respectively (P<0.05). The expression level of NF-kappaB and TGF-beta(1) in the liver tissues of AF and AS treatment groups was markedly decreased compared with that in cochicine group, and TGF-beta(1) mRNA was also markedly decreased (1.07+/-0.31 and 0.98+/-0.14 vs 2.34+/-0.43, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Anti-fibrosis herbs and selenium have beneficial effects on hepatic fibrosis in rats by enhancing immunity and inhibiting NF-kappaB and TGF-beta(1) expressions.

Animals↗