Mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion in regulation of epithelial cell apoptosis in rat ulcerative colitis

AIM:To investigate the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on epithelial cell apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2, Bax, fas and FasL proteins in rat ulcerative colitis.METHODS:A rat model of ulcerative colitis was estabelished by immunological methods and local stimulation. All rats were randomly divided into model control group (MC),electro-acupuncture group (EA), herbs-partition moxibustion group (HPM). Normal rats were used as normal control group (NC). Epithelial cell apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2, Bax, fas and FasL proteins were detected by TUNEL and immunohistochemiscal method respectively.RESULTS: The number of epithelial cell apoptosis in MC was significantly higher than that in NC,and was markedly decreased after the treatment with herbs-partition moxibustion or electro-acupuncture. The expression of Bcl-2, Bax, fas and FasL in colonic epithelial cells in MC was higher than that in NC, and was markedly down- regulated by herbs-partition moxibustion or electro-acupuncture treatment.CONCLUSION: The pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis in rats involves abnormality of apoptosis. Acupuncture and moxibustion can regulate the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, fas and FasL proteins and inhibit the apoptosis of epithelial cells of ulcerative colitis in rats by Bcl-2/Bax, fas/FasL pathways.

Role of endoscopic miniprobe ultrasonography in diagnosis of submucosal tumor of large intestine

AIM: To evaluate the role of miniprobe ultrasonography under colonoscope in the diagnosis of submucosal tumor of the large intestine, and to determine its imaging characteristics.METHODS: Thirty-five patients with submucosal tumors of the large intestine underwent miniprobe ultrasonography under colonoscope. The diagnostic results of miniprobe ultrasonography were compared with pathological findings of specimens by biopsy and surgical resection.RESULTS: Lipomas were visualized as hyperechoic homogeneous masses located in the submucosa with adistinct border. Leiomyomas were visualized as hypoechoic homogeneous mass originated from the muscularis propria.Leiomyosarcomas were shown with inhomogeneous echo and irregular border. Carcinoids were presented as submucosal hypoechoic masses with homogenous echo and distinct border. Lymphangiomas were shown as submocosal hypoechoic masses with cystic septal structures.Malignant lymphomas displayed as hypoechoic masses from mucosa to muscularis propria, while pneumatosis cystoids intestinalis originated from submucosa with aspecial sonic shadow. One large leiomyoma was misdiagnosed as leiomyosarcoma.CONCLUSION: Endoscopic miniprobe ultrasonography can provide precise information about the size, layer of origin,border of submucosal tumor of the large intestine and has a high accuracy in the diagnosis of submucosal tumor of the large intestine, Pre-operative rniniprobe ultrasonography under colonoscope may play an important role in the choice of therapy for submucosal tumor of the large intestine,

Postprocessing techniques of CT colonography in detection of colorectal carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the value of postprocessing techniques of CT colonography, including multiplanar reformation (MPR), virtual colonoscopy (VC), shaded surface display (SSD) and Raysum, in detection of colorectal carcinomas. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with colorectal carcinoma underwent volume scanning with spiral CT. MPR, VC, SSD and Raysum images were obtained by using four kinds of postprocessing techniques in workstation. The results were comparatively analyzed according to circumferential extent, lesion length and pathology pattern of colorectal carcinomas. All diagnoses were proved pathologically and surgically. RESULTS: The accuracy of circumferential extent of colorectal carcinoma determined by MPR, VC, SSD and Raysum was 100.0%, 82.8%, 79.7% and 79.7%, respectively. There was a significant statistical difference between MPR and VC. The consistent rate of lesion length was 89.1%, 76.6%, 95.3% and 100.0%, respectively. There was a statistical difference between VC and SSD. The accuracy of discriminating pathology pattern was 81.3%, 92.2%, 71.9% and 71.9%, respectively. There was a statistical difference between VC and SSD. MPR could determine accurately the circumference of colorectal carcinoma, Raysum could determine the length of lesion more precisely than SSD, VC was helpful in discriminating pathology patterns. CONCLUSION: MPR, VC, SSD and Raysum have advantage and disadvantage in detection of colorectal carcinoma, use of these methods in combination can disclose the lesion more accurately.