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Background: The etiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is complex, and the disease is thus difficult to cure. In this regard, it has been established that SLE patients are characterized by differing levels of vitamin D-hydroxylation; however, the direct effects of vitamin D (VitD) in these patients remain unknown. Objective: Therefore, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of action of VitD in the context of SLE. Methods: The effects of VitD on MRL/LPR mice were studied by synthesizing glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)-interfering lentiviruses and transfecting with miR-126a-5p mimics. Changes in the body weight of mice were recorded for 6 weeks. Western blotting was performed to determine the levels of T-bet, GATA3, and GSK-3β protein expression, and qRT-PCR was performed to determine the levels of miR-126a-5p and GSK-3β mRNA expression. ELISA was performed to determine the levels of ANA, dsDNA, and snRNP/Sm in mice serum. Results: GSK-3β and miR-126a-5p were expressed at high and low levels, respectively, in MRL/LPR mice. VitD (30 ng/kg) was found to reduce the expression of GSK-3β and increase miR-126a-5p expression, which targets GSK-3β. T-bet and GATA3 were found to be positively regulated by miR-126a-5p and VitD and negatively regulated by GSK-3β. The body weight of mice was not altered by VitD. ANA, dsDNA, and snRNP/Sm were positively regulated by miR- 126a-5p and VitD and negatively regulated by GSK-3β. The effects of GSK-3β were enhanced in response to the inhibition of miR-126a-5p expression. Conclusion: VitD upregulated miR-126a-5p to target GSK-3β expression, thereby alleviating the SLE in MRL/LPR mice.

To investigate the reversing effects of curcumin on hepatocellular carcinoma drug resistance Bel7402/5-Fu cell line.Through the exposure to gradual increased concentrations of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu), the cell line Bel7402 was induced to establish a multi-drug resistant sub-cell line Bel7402/5-Fu. The sensitivity to 6 chemotherapeutics of Bel7402 and Bel7402/5-Fu were detected using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) and resistant index (RI) were calculated. The differences of the inhibition ratio of Bel7402/5-Fu by curcumin, 5-Fu, curcumin combined with 5-Fu were detected using MTT assay. The effects of curcumin, 5-Fu, curcumin combined with 5-Fu on the Bel7402/5-Fu apoptosis were detected using flow cytometry.The Bel7402/5-Fu cell line showed multi-drug resistance (MDR) to various chemotherapeutics, with the highest RI shown of 5-Fu (being 109.55 +/- 14.30 times). The inhibition ratio of 5, 10, and 20 microg/mL curcumin combined with 5-Fu (50% IC50) was respectively 21.47% +/- 1.49%, 27.10% +/- 2.32%, and 59.37% +/- 2.45%. The Bel7402/5-Fu apoptosis ratio of 5, 10, and 20 microg/mL curcumin combined with 5-Fu (50% IC50) was 30.92% +/- 2.10%, 44.87% +/- 2.24%, and 50.36% +/- 2.58%, respectively, which was obviously higher than that of the curcumin group and the 5-Fu group. Besides, the apoptosis rate increased along with increased curcumin concentration in the range of 0 -20 microg/mL.Curcumin could induce the apoptosis of Bel7402/5-Fu. Meanwhile, it showed favorable reversing effects on MDR.