Objective: To detect the expression levels of globin transcription factor-1 (GATA-1) and histone deacetylase-1 (HDAC-1) of bone marrow mono-nuclear cells (BMMNCs) in patients of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)

in order to analyze the effects of Chinces medicine formulas of ‘strengthening healthy energy’ and ‘eliminating pathogenic factors’ and HDAC inhibitor Vorinostat (SAHA) on acetylation and GATA-1 activation of bone marrow mono-nuclear cells (BMMNCs) from MDS patients in vitro. Method: BMMNCs were collected from 10 lower-risk MDS patients

5 higher-risk MDS patients and 3 healthy control cases

and then treated with ethanol-extracts of compound Chinese medicine formulas of ‘strengthening healthy energy’ or ‘eliminating pathogenic factors’

or SAHA as positive control for 48 h. The mRNA and protein expression levels of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and erythroid transcription factor (GATA-1) were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blot. Result: After treatment with the formula of ‘strengthening healthy energy’ or ‘eliminating pathogenic factors’ at the concentrations from 0.062 5 to 2.0 g · L-1 for 48 hours

or with SAHA at the concentraions from 3.125 to 10 μmol · L-1 for 48 hours

mRNA and its protein expression levels of HDAC1

GATA-1 were significant different compared with normal group.The formula of ‘strengthening healthy energy’ or ‘eliminating pathogenic factors’ could increase GATA-1 expression by regulating histone acetylation in both lower-risk and higher-risk MDS patients(P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: The data suggests that epigenetic alternation may be one of the important therapeutic mechanisms of SAHA and ethanol-extracts of compound Chinese medicine on erythroid transcription regulation. In our study

Chinese medicine formulas had a HDACI-like acetylation regulating effect

but with no significant difference between the formulas of ‘strengthening healthy energy’ formula and ‘eliminating pathogenic factors’.