The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the miR-301a/PTEN pathway in cervical cancer. miR-301a and PTEN expression were measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in tissues samples and HeLa cells. PTEN protein level was determined by Western blotting. Dual reporter luciferase assay was performed to validate PTEN as a direct target of miR-301a. The gain- and loss-of function assay was performed by miR-301a overexpression and silencing. Cell proliferation was monitored by cell counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). Cell apoptosis was quantitated by flow cytometry. SPSS was used to analyze the significant difference in the treatments. miR-301a demonstrated a significantly higher expression in cervical carcinoma tissues compared with the paired non-carcinoma tissues (n = 12), while PTEN expression was found to be significantly lower in cervical carcinoma tissues than their paired non-carcinoma tissues (n = 12). In addition, PTEN was identified as the direct target of miR-301a. Moreover, overexpression of miR-301a significantly promoted HeLa cells proliferation and anti-apoptosis which had a reverse pattern after PTEN overexpression. Our results confirm PTEN as a direct target of miR-301a in HeLa cells and suggest that miR-301a/PTEN pathway contributes to the development and progression of cervical cancer.

Preeclampsia is a severe complication which influences pregnant women all around the world, the symptom of which is serious maternal hypertension. Phytosterol is a type of natural compound commonly found in plant products, and has been incorporated into various food vectors and natural drugs. In the paper, the curative effect on preeclampsia by combination of oral nifedipine and phytosterol was assessed. Random grouping was carried out, with 253 preeclampsia patients being registered and taking orally nifedipine+phytosterol or nifedipine+placebo. The time for controlling the blood pressure and the time needed for the occurrence of another hypertensive crisis were defined as primary endpoints. The dosage required for controlling blood pressure, and the adverse effects from infants and mothers were defined as secondary endpoints. The nifedipine+phytosterol group required a remarkably shorter time for controlling blood pressure than the nifedipine+placebo group, an obviously delayed time for the occurrence of new hypertensive crisis, and an obvious lower dosage for controlling blood pressure. There was no difference between the two groups regarding the adverse effects from infants and mothers. Findings in the study suggest that phytosterol is an effective and safe adjuvant of the oral nifedipine and can alleviate the hypertension symptoms in preeclampsia patients. Impact statement There was no difference between the two groups regarding the adverse effects from infants and mothers. Findings in the study suggest that phytosterol is an effective and safe adjuvant of the oral nifedipine and can alleviate the hypertension symptoms in preeclampsia patients.