Expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in cervical carcinoma and their clinical significance

Objective: To investigate the expressions of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in cervical carcinoma and their clinical significance. Methods: Immunohistochemistry SP method was used to detect the expres- sions of COX-2 and MMP-9 in 72 cases of invasive carcinoma of cervix (ICC) and 16 cases of normal cervical epithelium remote from tumor (NCE). The relationships between the expressions of COX-2, MMP-9 in ICC and some characteristics relating to clinical pathology of cervical carcinoma such as histological grading, lymph node metastasis, stromal invasion and FIGO stage were analyzed statistically. Results: The rates of the positive expressions of COX-2 and MMP-9 in ICC were significantly higher than those in NCE. COX-2: 88.9% (64/72) in group ICC and 12.5% (2/16) in group NCE, P = 0.000; MMP-9: 94.4% (68/72) in group ICC and 43.8% (7/16) in group NCE, P = 0.000. The expression of COX-2 was positively correlated with lymph node metastasis (r = 0.296, P = 0.012) and stromal invasion (r = 0.257, P = 0.029). The expression of MMP-9 was positively correlated with FIGO stage (r = 0.329, P = 0.005) and histological grading (r = 0.351, P = 0.003). The expression of COX-2 was positively correlated with the expression of MMP-9 in ICC (r = 0.297, P = 0.011). Conclusion: The overexpressions of COX-2 and MMP-9 were closely related to the invasion and growth of cervical carcinoma. The tissue with the overexpression of COX-2 had strong invasion ability. COX-2 and MMP-9 had synergistic effect on proliferation, invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. Detecting the coexpression of COX-2 and MMP-9 may be of value in further understanding the biological behavior and predicting the prognosis of cervical carcinoma.

Effects of Fuke Qianjin Formula on hormones and their receptors and metabonomics study in uterine fibroids model rats

Objective To investigate the effects of different fractions from Fuke Qianjin Formula(妇科千金方,FKQJF)on uterine leiomyoma(UL)to determine the best fraction.Methods FKQJF was extracted and isolated to obtain polysaccharides(FKP),flavonoids(FKF),and grease(FKG).140 female SPF SD rats were divided into 14 groups[model(MOD),normal control(NC),Gouliuqing(GLQ),Mifepristone(MFST),FKQJF,low,medium,and high dose of polysaccharides(l-FKP,m-FKP,and h-FKP),low,medium,and high dose of flavonoids(l-FKF,m-FKF,and h-FKF),low,medium,and high dose of grease(l-FKG,m-FKG,and h-FKG)],and uterine fibroids model rats were treated with drugs for four weeks.Serum levels of estrogen and progesterone were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay assay(ELISA)kits.The expression of estrogen receptor(ER-α,ER-β)and progesterone receptor(PR)in the uterus was observed using immunohistochemistry(IHC).Serum metabolite profiles and FKG were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS).Results FKQJF,h-FKF,m-FKG,and h-FKG significantly downregulated the estrogen level in the uterine fibroid model rats(P<0.01).FKQJF,h-FKF,and h-FKG significantly reduced the level of progesterone in the uterine fibroid model rats(P<0.01).The levels of ER-α,ER-β,and PR in uterine fibroid model rats were significantly decreased by FKQJF and h-FKG(P<0.01).The levels of ER-α,ER-β,and PR in the fibroid model rats were decreased by m-FKG(P<0.05).Additionally,serum metabolism results revealed that h-FKG and FKQJF could regulate related endogenous metabolites and make the pathological indices of uterine fibroids in rats close to the normal group.Forty-six components were identified in the oil,accounting for 91.97%of the total oil components.Conclusion FKQJF and h-FKG showed a significant anti-myoma activity and significantly improved the pathological state of the uterus in rats with hysteromyoma.The mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of estrogen progesterone and its receptor in uterine fibroid model animals.These findings proved the effect of FKQJF on uterine leiomyoma and provided an experimental basis for its clinical research and application.

辛亥滦州起义纪念园

北京西郊自古以来就是山清水秀的风景区,黑龙潭西北的温泉更是块宝地。《帝京景物略》这样描述:'西堂村西北曰画眉山,产石墨色,浮质而腻理,入金宫为眉石,亦曰黛石也。山北十里,平畴良苗,温泉出焉,泉如汤未至沸时,甃为池以待浴者。泉虽温乎其出,能藻、能虫鱼,禾黍早成,早于他之秋再旬。林后凋,草色久驻,晚于他之秋再旬。资泉之民,无苦疡瓣。'

Lower cervical spine injury treated with lateral mass plates and pedicle screws through posterior approach

Objective: To treat injury of the lower cervical spine C6 to C7 with cervical lateral mass plates and T1 pedicle screws through posterior approach. Methods: The data of 8 patients with lower cervical spine C6 or C7 injury （6 patients with fracture and dislocation in C6 and C7 and 2 with fracture in C7） were analyzed retrospectively in this study. For the preoperative American Spinal Injury Association （ASIA） classification, Grade C was found in 3 cases and Grade D in 5 cases. Screws were placed on the lateral masses and the first thoracic pedicle with Margerl technique. Lamina or facet bone allografting was used to achieve a long-term stability. Results: All the 8 patients were followed up for 5-37 months （mean: 15 months）. No operative death occurred. There were no examples of aggravation of spinal cord injury or vertebral artery injury, cerebrospinal fluid leak, nerve roots injury, screw malposition or back-out, loose of alignment or implant failure. Clinical symptoms and ASIA classification were improved in all the patients. Postoperative MRI scanning confirmed the satisfactory screw placement in all the cases. Conclusions: Lateral mass plates and pedicle screws through posterior approach are safe and beneficial for patients with lower cervical spine C6 or C7 injury.

Improvement in post-partum uterine involution in rats treated with Apios americana

Objective: Apios americana,a plant used as a staple ingredient of native American diets,has various properties,including anti-cancer,anti-hyperglycemic,hypotensive,and anti-inflammatory activity.In Japan,Apios is used as a post-natal medication.After parturition,women undergo a period of recovery as they return to pre-pregnancy conditions.However,few health products that aid post-partum recovery are on the market.We explored whether Apios can accelerate the post-partum recovery process,in particular the involution of the uterus.Methods: Female rats kept in individual cages were mated with two male rats,with the exception of the control group(female rats without mating,on basal diet;n=6).After delivery,rats were divided into five groups based on their diet: basal diet(model;n=6);basal diet+oral intake at 5.4 g/kg of Chanfukang granules(a Chinese patent medicine preparation for post-partum lochia)(positive;n=6);basal diet containing 10% Apios powder(low;n=6);basal diet containing 20% Apios powder(medium;n=6);basal diet containing 40% Apios powder(high;n=6).Five days later,uteri and spleens were weighed.Uterus and spleen indices for each rat were calculated by dividing visceral weight by the total weight.Hormone and cytokine concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Histological analysis of uteri was completed using hematoxylin and eosin(H&E) staining.Expression of matrix metalloproteinases and inhibitors in uteri was measured by western blotting.Results: Our results showed that Apios treatment reduced the post-partum uterus index and regulated the hormone concentrations.Moreover,we found that the process of uterine involution was accelerated,based on morphological changes in the uterus.In addition,our results indicated that Apios alleviated the inflammatory response induced by the involution process.Transforming growth factor β was also found to be regulated by Apios.There were significant downregulation of matrix metalloproteinases and upregulation of their inhibitors by Apios,which suggested that Apios increased the rate of the collagen clearance process.Conclusions: These results,based on experimental observations at the molecular and protein levels,verified our hypothesis that Apios can improve uterine involution,and demonstrated the potential application of Apios in post-partum care.

Effect of warming Yang and removing blood stasis method on matrix metalloproteinases/tissue inhibitor metalloproteinases levels secreted by cultured endometrial cells from patients with endometriosis

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Chinese medicines using the warming Yang and removing blood stasis method on levels of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs)/tissue inhibitor metalloproteinases(TIMPs) secreted by cultured endometrial cells from patients with endometriosis.METHODS:Ectopic and eutopic endometrial cells obtaind from 15 endometriosis patients were cultured in vitro,and divided randomly into five groups:high dose;moderate dose;low dose;nemestran;blank control.The three dose groups were treated with a decoction prepared according to the principle of warming Yang and removing blood stasis;nemestran and 0.9%NaCI were administered to the nemestran group and balnk control group,respectively.Eutopic endometrial cells obtaind from 10 hysteromyoma patients were cultured in vitro,as the normal control group,0.9%NaCI were administered to the normal control group.Cell culture supernatants were collected and levels of matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1),matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2),matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9),tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) and tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-2(TIMP-2) detected by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay(ELISA).RESULTS:Compared with the normal control group,levels of MMP-1,MMP-2,and MMP-9 in eutopic and ectopic endometrium cell supernatants in the blank control group were increased,whereas levels of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were decreased(P <0.05).Compared with the blank control group,levels of MMP-1 and MMP-2 in ectopic and eutopic endometrium cell supernatants cultured in low-dose,middle-dose,and high-dose groups were decreased,whereas levels of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were increased significantly(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:The warming Yang and removing blood stasis method affects expression of MMPs andTIMPs.