[Xinfeng capsule improves hypercoagulative state by inhibiting miR-155/NF-κB signaling pathway in patients with...

Objective To observe the effect of Xinfeng capsule (XFC) on miR-155, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signal pathway, and indexes related to hypercoagulative state in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and investigate the possible mechanism. Methods Fifty-six cases in active AS were randomly divided into XFC group and sulfasalazine (SASP) group. All cases in the XFC group took three capsules three times daily for twelve consecutive weeks. The ones in the SASP group took four tablets two times daily for twelve consecutive weeks. The expression of miR-155 was detected by real-time PCR. The mRNA expressions of nuclear factor κB activator 1(Act1), NF-κB inhibitor-alpha (IκBα), inhibitor of kappa-B kinase beta (IKKβ), NF-κB p65, and NF-κB p50 were tested by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Meanwhile, the protein expressions of NF-κB P65 and NF-κB P50 were determined by Western blotting. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IL-17, thromboxane B2 (TXB2), 6-ketone-prostaglandin F1 (6-keto-PGF1), platelet granular membrane protein 140 (GMP140), platelet activation factor (PAF), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2) were determined by ELISA. Clinical efficacy was evaluated in the two groups. Results Compared with the SASP group, 50% Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI50) was significantly higher in the XFC group. Compared with the SASP group after treatment, platelet (PLT), fibrinogen (FBG) and D-D dimer (D-D), TXB2, GMP140, PAF, PAI-2, IL-17, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), visual analog scale (VAS), BASDAI, BASFI, and BAS-G were reduced more obviously in the XFC group after treatment; meanwhile, 6-keto-PGF1, IL-4, and IL-10 significantly increased. Compared with the SASP group after treatment, the expressions of IKKβ mRNA, IκBα mRNA, NF-κB p65 mRNA, NF-κB p50 mRNA, NF-κB P65 protein, NF-κB P50 protein, and miR-155 were lower in the XFC group after treatment. Conclusion XFC could effectively improve hypercoagulative state in active AS patients. The potential mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of miR-155 and NF-κB signal pathway.