Ziyuglycoside II is an active compound of Sanguisorba officinalis L. that has anti-inflammation, antioxidation, antibiosis, and homeostasis properties. We report here on the anticancer effect of ziyuglycoside II on human gastric carcinoma BGC-823 cells. We investigated the effects of ziyuglycoside II on cell growth, cell cycle, and cell apoptosis of this cell line. Our results revealed that ziyuglycoside II could inhibit the proliferation of BGC-823 cells by inducing apoptosis but not cell cycle arrest, which was associated with regulation of Bax/Bcl-2 expression, and activation of the caspase-3 pathway. Our study is the first to report the antitumor potential of ziyuglycoside II in BGC-823 gastric cancer cells. Ziyuglycoside II may become a potential therapeutic agent against gastric cancer in the future.

Intestinal obstruction is a common disease requiring abdominal surgery with significant morbidity and mortality. Currently, an effective medical treatment for obstruction, other than surgical resection or decompression, does not exist. Si-Jun-Zi Decoction is a famous Chinese medicine used to replenish qi and invigorate the functions of the spleen. Modern pharmacological studies show that this prescription can improve gastrointestinal function and strengthen immune function. In this study, we investigated the effects of a famous Chinese herbal formula, Si-Jun-Zi Decoction, on the restoration of intestinal function after the relief of obstruction in a rabbit model. We found that Si-Jun-Zi Decoction could reduce intestinal mucosal injury while promoting the recovery of the small intestine. Further, Si-Jun-Zi Decoction could regulate the intestinal immune system. Our results suggest that Si-Jun-Zi Decoction promotes the restoration of intestinal function after obstruction by regulating intestinal homeostasis. Our observations indicate that Si-Jun-Zi Decoction is potentially a therapeutic drug for intestinal obstruction.

Intestinal obstruction can induce disruption of intestinal homeostasis.

ABSTRACT. We investigate whether three common polymorphisms in ERCC1 and ERCC2 are predictor factors for the chemotherapy response, as well as the clinic outcome of patients with gastric cancer. Between May 2011 and May 2013, 263 patients with gastric cancer who were newly diagnosed by histopathology were enrolled in our study. Genotyping of the ERCC1 rs11615 and rs3212986, and ERCC2 rs1799793 polymorphisms were conducted by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Patients carrying the TT genotype and TT+CT genotype of ERCC1 rs11615 were associated with poorer response to chemotherapy and shorter survival times when compared with the CC genotype. In conclusion, our results suggested that the ERCC1 rs11615 polymorphism in the DNA repair pathways can be used as predictive factors to the clinical outcome of patients with gastric cancer.

Objective To investigate structural and quantitative alterations of gut microbiota in an experimental model of small bowel obstruction. Method A rat model of small bowel obstruction was established by using a polyvinyl chloride ring surgically placed surrounding the terminal ileum. The alterations of gut microbiota were studied after intestinal obstruction. Intraluminal fecal samples proximal to the obstruction were collected at different time points (24, 48 and 72 hours after obstruction) and analyzed by 16s rDNA high-throughput sequencing technology and quantitative PCR (qPCR) for target bacterial groups. Furthermore, intestinal claudin-1 mRNA expression was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, and serum sIgA, IFABP and TFF3 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Small bowel obstruction led to significant bacterial overgrowth and profound alterations in gut microbiota composition and diversity. At the phylum level, the 16S rDNA sequences showed a marked decrease in the relative abundance of Firmicutes and increased abundance of Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia and Bacteroidetes. The qPCR analysis showed the absolute quantity of total bacteria increased significantly within 24 hours but did not change distinctly from 24 to 72 hours. Further indicators of intestinal mucosa damage and were observed as claudin-1 gene expression, sIgA and TFF3 levels decreased and IFABP level increased with prolonged obstruction. Conclusion Small bowel obstruction can cause significant structural and quantitative alterations of gut microbiota and induce disruption of gut mucosa barrier.