CT arterial portography and CT hepatic arteriography in detection of micro liver cancer

AIM To recognize the characteristic findings of micrQliver cancer (MLC) and to evaluate the effect of CT arterial portography (CTAP) and CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA) in diagnosis of MLC. METHODS Between April 1996 to December 1998, CTAP and CTHA were performed in 12patients with MLC, which were not detect ed byconventional CT examinations. After CTHA, 3 mL-- 5 mL mixture of lipiodol, doxorubic in andmitomycin C were injected into hepatic arterythrough the catheter, and then followed up by CTthree or four weeks later (Lipiodol CT LP-CT).RESULTS A total of 22 micro--tumors (0 .2 cm 0.6 cm in diameter ) were detected in 12patients, which manifested as small perfusiondefects in CTAP and small round enhancement inCTHA. The rate of detectability of CTAP andCTHA was 68.2% (15/ 22) and 77.3% (17/ 22)respectively, and the rate of the simultaneoususe of both procedures reached 86. 4% (19/ 22 ).All micro--tumors were demonstrated as punctatelipiodol deposit fool in LP--CT. After LP--CT, theelevated serum level of Q-fetoprotein (AFP)dropped to the normal level in all patients.CONCLUSION The CTAP and CTHA are the mostsensitive imaging methods for detecting microIiver cancer. Confirmed by the change of theelevated serum AFP level and lipiodol depositfool in LP-CT, small perfusion defects in CTAPand punctate enhancement in CTHA may suggestmicro--liver cancer.

Paeoniflorin reduces cardiotoxicity of aconitine in H9c2 cells

OBJECTIVE Aconitine(ACO)as the main active component in Aconitum carmichaelii debeaux(family Ranunlaceae),has highly toxicity in heart and the mechanisms are not clear yet.Paeoniflorin(PF),the main chemical ingredient in Herbaceous peony,can protect heart hurt by antioxidant,vasodilator effect and other effects.In this study,we focused on investigating the mechanism of PF reducing the cardiotoxicity of ACO.METHODS We chose H9c2 cells as experimental subject.MTT,Western blotting and real-time PCR were used to measure cell proliferation,apoptosis,ion channels and oxidative stress.RESULTS Cell proliferation in ACO+PF group was significantly increased compared with ACO group;the ratio with Bcl-2 and Bax and the level of p53 were upregulated by PF,while the level of caspase-3 was lightly reduced.The expression of SCN5A mRNA significantly was increased in ACO+PF group,while the expres⁃sion of RyR2 and Cx43 mRNA was dropped.Compared with ACO group,extracellular LDH and intracellular MDA were highly decreased,while intracellular SOD was regulated.CONCLUSION Cardiotoxicity of ACO in H9c2 cells was signifi⁃cantly decreased by PF.