《鼠胆英雄》的荒诞美学乌托邦建构

随着国产电影产业逐渐走向娱乐化,电影自身的语言形式也渐趋多元,近年来,具有荒诞性美学风格的电影叙事广泛展映于大银幕,成为时下电影多元语境的重要组成部分。2019年上映的国产喜剧电影《鼠胆英雄》在影片的叙事上呈现出典型的荒诞美学形态,以小人物超越现实、不切实际的命运反转构建出啼笑皆非的荒唐语境,本文将从与现实背反的失序与癫狂、非理性构建出的反常叙事、荒诞语境下的生存异化三个角度来加以解读。

水飞蓟素对实验性肝纤维化的疗效及其作用机制的研究

目的:观察水飞蓟素(Silymarin,SIL)在胆管阻塞性肝纤维化大鼠模型(bile duct occlusion, BDO)中的抗纤维化疗效。方法:雄性SD大鼠60只,随机分为3组,每组20只,分别为假手术对照组、纤维化模型组、水飞蓟素治疗组(50 mg·kg-1·d-1)。制备胆管阻塞性肝纤维化模型。用药6周后,处死大鼠,取肝组织进行病理学观察。测定肝组织羟脯氨酸(HYP)含量。检测I型前胶原(procol-I)mRNA和组织金属蛋白酶抑制因子I(TIMP-1)mRNA表达水平及血清透明质酸、层连蛋白、转氨酶、碱性磷酸酶、γ-谷氨酰转肽酶、胆红素水平。实验结果统计采用SPSS软件进行分析,P<0.05为差异有显著性意义。结果:与对照组比较,水飞蓟素治疗组的组织学评分(2.50)比模型组(3.38)明显下降(P<0.01)。肝脏HYP减少35%。procol-I mRNA和TIMP-1 mRNA分别下降35%和29%。血清HA降低30%,LN下降17%。以上差异均有统计学意义。结论:水飞蓟素抑制procol-I mRNA、TIMP-1mRNA表达,减少肝组织胶原含量,改善肝纤维化程度。

EFFECTS OF MOXIBUSTION ON CEREBRAL ACETYLCHOLINE CONTENT AND CHOLINE ACETYL TRANSFERASE ACTIVITY IN THE AGED RATS

Objective To observe the effect of moxibustion of Baihui（百会GV20） and Shenshu（肾俞 BL 23） on acetylcholine （AOh） content and choline acetyl transferase （CHAT） activity in the brain of aging rats so as to investigate its underlying mechanism in delaying brain aging in the rat. Methods Thirty Wistar rats including 10 young rats （young group） and 20 aged rats that were divided into aging group and moxibustion group evenly, were used in this study. For rats of moxibustion group, moxibustion was applied to Baihui （百会GV20） and Shenshu（肾俞 BL23） for 10 min, once a day, with 5 days being a course of treatment, 8 courses altogether. At the end of the experiments, the rats anesthetized with 6 % chloral hydrate were decapitated for taking brain tissue, then AOh content, CHAT and acetylcholinesterase （ACHE） activity were detected by using high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）. Results Compared with young rat group, AOh contents of basal ganglia, hippocampus and cerebral cortex tissues in aging group and moxibustion group all decreased significantly （P〈 0.05, 0.01 ）, while compared with aging group, ACh contents in the 3 cerebral regions in moxibustion group all increased considerably （P〈0.01）. In comparison with young group, both CHAT activity and AChE activity of the brain tissue in aging group and moxibustion group lowered significantly （ P 〈 0.05, 0.01 ） ; comparison between aging group and moxibustion group showed that CHAT activity of the later group increased evidently （P〈 0.05） while AChE activity in moxibustion group decreased considerably （P〈0.01）, displaying that moxibustion could potentiate CHAT activity and further lower AChE activity of the brain in aged rats. Conclusion Moxibustion of Baihui（百会GV20） and Shenshu（肾俞 BL23） has effects in raising AOh contents and lowering CHAT and AChE activity, which may contribute to its efficacies in repairing the injured central cholinergic nerve system and delaying the aging process in the aged rats.

Effects of soy components on blood and liver lipids in rats fed high-cholesterol diets

AIM: To assess the effects of soy protein, isoflavone, and saponin on liver and blood lipid in rats that consumed high-cholesterol diets.METHODS: High-cholesterol diets (1%) with or without soy material were fed to 6-wk-old male Sprague-Dawley rats for 8 wk. Blood lipids, liver lipids, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels were measured. The in vitro bile acid-binding ability of soy materials was analyzed.RESULTS: The results of in vitro studies showed that soy protein isolate had a significantly higher bile acid-binding ability (8.4±0.8%) than soy saponin (3.1±0.7%) and isoflavone (1.3±0.4%, P＜0.05). On the other hand, at the end of the experimental period, rats that consumed soy protein diets had lower GOT and GPT levels than rats that consumed casein under high-cholesterol diets.Rats that consumed soy protein also had lower total cholesterol (TC) levels in the liver than those that consumed casein under high-cholesterol diets. Rats that consumed the soy protein diet containing both saponin and isoflavone had lower hepatic TC level than those that consumed the soy protein diet without isoflavone alone.The effect of different types of proteins on triglyceride was not significant.CONCLUSION: Consumption of soy provided benefits to control lipid levels under high-cholesterol dieting conditions in this rat model of hypercholesterolemia. The major component that reduced hepatic TC was not saponin, but possibly isoflavone.

Catheterization of the gallbladder: A novel mouse model of severe acute cholangitis

AIM To establish a severe acute cholangitis(SAC) model in mice.METHODS Cholecystic catheterization was performed under the condition of bile duct ligation(BDL). Trans-cholecystic injection of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) was defined as the SAC animal model. Sham operation group, intraperitoneal injection of LPS without BDL group, intraperitoneal injection of LPS with BDL group and trans-cholecystic injection of normal saline with BDL group were defined as control groups. The survival rates and tissue injuries in liver, lungs and kidney were evaluated.RESULTS Mice in the SAC group showed a time-dependent mortality and much more severe tissue injuries in liver, lungs and kidney, compared with other groups. However, relieving biliary obstruction could effectively reduce mortality and attenuate liver injury in the SAC mouse model.CONCLUSION Trans-cholecystic injection of LPS under the condition of biliary obstruction could establish a repeatable and reversible mouse model of SAC.

Thiazolidinedione treatment inhibits bile duct proliferation and fibrosis in a rat model of chronic cholestasis

AIM： To investigate the effects of troglitazone （TGZ）, an anti-diabetic drug which activates peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor-y （PPAR-y）, for liver tissue repair, and the development of ductular reaction, following common bile duct ligation （BDL） in rats. METHODS： Rats were supplemented with TGZ （0.2% w/w in the pelleted food） for i wk before BDL or sham operation. Animals were killed at 1, 2, or 4 wk after surgery. RESULTS： The development of liver fibrosis was reduced in rats receiving TGZ, as indicated by significant decreases of procollagen type I gene expression and liver hydroxyproline levels. Accumulation of a-smooth-muscle actin （SMA）-expressing cells surrounding newly formed bile ducts following BDL, as well as total hepatic levels of SMA were partially inhibited by TGZ treatment, indicating the presence of a reduced number and/or activation of hepatic stellate cells （HSC） and myofibroblasts. Development of the ductular reaction was inhibited by TGZ, as indicated by histochemical evaluation and hepatic activity of γ-glutamyltransferase （GGT）. CONCLUSION： Treatment with thiazolidinedione reduces ductular proliferation and fibrosis in a model of chronic cholestasis, and suggests that limiting cholangiocyte proliferation may contribute to the lower development of scarring in this system.

Study on the Effects of Reducing Blood Lipid by Flavonoids from Ampelopsis grossedentata on Hyperlipidemia Rats

In order to study the effects of Ampelopsis grossedentata on endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis and the effects of reducing blood lipid in hyperlipidemia rats,extraction of flavonoids from Ampelopsis grossedentata by using ethanol(TFAG),and the effects of TFAG on intracellular cholesterol synthesis were detected by amphotericin B-cell model;SD hyperlipidemia rat model was established by feeding high fat diet.A formulated medicine called Xuezhikang was used as a positive control,and TFAG of different doses were administered to the stomach for 30 d continuously to measure the indexes of heart,liver tissue homogenate and serum;part of the liver was taken for pathological observation.The results showed that TFAG could significantly inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol in cells.TFAG of different doses could significantly reduce the content of TC and TG in serum of hyperlipidemia rats,and increase the content of HDL;TC and TG in heart and liver were also decreased;besides,it could increase the content of SOD,CAT and GSH in the liver of hyperlipidemia rats,and reduce the content of MDA.The results of pathological section showed that TFAG could improve the damage degree of hepatocytes in hyperlipidemia rats,and the effect of high dose group was similar to that of Xuezhikang group.In general,TFAG has good antioxidant and reducing blood lipid effects,and can effectively inhibit liver steatosis.

Effect of rhubarb on contractile response of gallbladder smooth muscle strips isolated from guinea pigs

AIM: To investigate the effect of rhubarb on contractile response of isolated gallbladder muscle strips from guinea pigs and its mechanism.METHODS: Guinea pigs were killed to remove the whole gallbladder. Two or three smooth muscle strips (8 mm×3mm) were cut along the longitudinal direction. The mucosa on each strip was carefully removed. Each longitudinal muscle strip was suspended in a tissue chamber containing 5 mL Krebs solution (37 ℃), bubbled continuously with 950 mL/L O2 and 50 mL/L CO2. The resting tension (g), mean contractile amplitude (mm),and contractile frequency (waves/min) were simultaneously recorded on recorders. After 2-h equilibration, rhubarb (10, 20, 70, 200, 700, 1 000 g/L) was added cumulatively to the tissue chamber in turns every 2 min to observe their effects on gallbladder.Antagonists were given 3 min before administration of rhubarb to investigate the possible mechanism.RESULTS: Rhubarb increased the resting tension (from 0 to 0.40±0.02, P＜0.001), and decreased the mean contractile amplitude (from 5.22±0.71 to 2.73±0.41,P＜0.001). It also increased the contractile frequency of the gallbladder muscle strips in guinea pigs (from 4.09±0.46to 6.08±0.35, P＜0.001). The stimulation of rhubarb on the resting tension decreased from 3.98±0.22 to 1.58±0.12by atropine (P＜0.001), from3.98±0.22 to 2.09±0.19 by verapamil (P＜0.001) and from 3.98±0.22 to 2.67±0.43by phentolamine (P＜0.005). But the effect was not inhibited by hexamethonium (P＞0.05). In addition, the action of mean amplitude and frequency was not inhibited by the above antagonists.CONCLUSION: Rhubarb can stimulate the motility of isolated gallbladder muscle strips from guinea pigs. The stimulation of rhubarb might be relevant with M receptor,Ca2+ channel and α receptor partly.

Hepatic fibrosis in biliary-obstructed rats is prevented by Ginkgo biloba treatment

AIM： To assess the antioxidant and antifibrotic effects of long-term Ginkgo biloba administration on liver fibrosis induced by biliary obstruction in rats. METHODS： Liver fibrosis was induced in male Wistar albino rats by bile duct ligation and scission （BDL）. Ginkgo biloba extract （EGb 761, 50 mg/kg.per d） or saline was administered for 28 d. At the end of the treatment period, all rats were killed. Serum aspartate aminotransferase （AST）, alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） levels were determined to assess liver functions and tissue damage, respectively. Tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） was also assayed in serum samples. Liver tissues were taken for determination of the hepatic malondialdehyde （MDA） and glutathione （GSH） levels, myeloperoxidase （MPO） activity and collagen content. Production of reactive oxidants was monitored by chemiluminescence （CL） assay. Serum AST, ALT, LDH, and TNF-α levels were elevated in the BDL group as compared to control group and were significantly decreased by EGb treatment. RESULTS： Hepatic GSH level, depressed by BDL, was elevated back to control level in EGb-treated BDL group. Increase in tissue MDA level, MPO activity and collagen content due to BDL were also attenuated by EGb treatment. Furthermore, luminol and lucigenin CL values in BDL group increased dramatically compared to control and reduced by EGb treatment. CONCLUSION： Our results suggest that Ginkgo biloba protects the liver from oxidative damage following BDL in rats. This effect possibly involves the inhibition of neutrophil infiltration and lipid peroxidation; thus, restoration of oxidant and antioxidant status in the tissue.

Effect of ZVAD-fmk on hepatocyte apoptosis after bile duct ligation in rat

AIM: Retention and accumulation of toxic hydrophobic bile salts within hepatocyte may cause hepatocyte toxicity by inducing apoptosis. Apoptosis is a pathway of cell death orchestrated by a family of proteases called caspases. Z-ValAla-Asp (OMe)-fluoromethyl ketone (ZVAD-fmk) is a cellpermeable irreversible inhibitor of caspase. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of ZVAD-fmk on hepatocyte apoptosis after bile duct ligation in the rat.METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250-300 g,were randomized to five groups of five rats each. Group 1 underwent common bile duct ligation and simultaneous treatment with ZVAD-fmk (dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)). Group 2 underwent common bile duct ligation and simultaneous treatment with Z-Phe-Ala-fluoromethyl ketone ( ZFA-fmk, dissolved in DMSO). Group 3 underwent sham operation and simultaneous treatment with the same amount of DMSO. Group 4 underwent sham operation and simultaneous treatment with the same amount of normal saline. Group 5 underwent common bile duct ligation without other manipulation. After three days, liver tissue was harvested for histopathologic analysis and measurements of apoptosis.RESULTS: When compared with sham operation, common bile duct ligation significantly increased hepatocyte apoptosis (P= 0.008) and ductular proliferation (P= 0.007).ZVAD-fmk significantly diminished the increased hepatocyte apoptosis and ductular proliferation after common bile duct ligation (P = 0.008 and P = 0.007, respectively). ZFA did not show the same effects.CONCLUSION: Hepatocyte apoptosis and ductular proliferation significantly increased after common bile duct ligation. ZVAD-fmk effectively diminished the increased hepatocyte apoptosis and ductular proliferation after common bile duct ligation, whereas ZFA-fmk did not.

Mangiferin,a natural xanthone,accelerates gastrointestinal transit in mice involving cholinergic mechanism

AIM： To investigate the effects of mangiferin on gas- trointestinal transit （GIT） in normal and constipated mice, together with the possible mechanism.METHODS： Intragastrically-administered charcoal mealwas used to measure GIT in overnight starved Swiss mice. In the first experiments, mangiferin （3 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg, po） or tegaserod （1 mg/kg, ip） were administered 30 min before the char- coal meal to study their effects on normal transit. In the second series, mangiferin （30 mg/kg） was tested on delayed GIT induced by several different pharma- cological agonists （morphine, clonidine, capsaicin） or antagonists （ondansetron, verapamil, and atropine） whereas in the third series, mangiferin （30 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg） or tegaserod （1 mg/kg） were tested on 6 h fecal pellets outputted by freely fed mice. The ratio of wet to dry weight was calculated and used as a marker of fecal water content. RESULTS： Mangiferin administered orally significantly （P 〈 0.05） accelerated GIT at 30 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg （89% and 93%, respectively）, similarly to 5-hydroxytrypta- mine4 （5-H%） agonist tegaserod （81%） when compared to vehicle-treated control （63%）. Co-administered man- giferin （30 mg/kg） totally reversed the inhibitory effect of opioid agonist morphine, 5-HT3-receptor antagonist ondansetron and transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 receptor agonist capsaicin on GIT, but only to a partial extent with the GIT-delay induced by ~2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine, and calcium antagonist verapamil. However, co-administered atropine completely blocked the stimulant effect of mangiferin on GIT, suggesting the involvement of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor activation. Although mangiferin significantly enhanced the 6 h fecal output at higher doses （245.5±10.43 mg vs 161.9±10.82 mg and 227.1±20.11 mg vs 161.9±10.82 mg of vehicle-treated control, at 30 and 100 mg/ kg, P 〈 0.05, respectively）, the effect of tegaserod was more potent （297.4±7.42 mg vs 161.9±10.82 mg of vehicle-treated control, P 〈 0.05）. Unlike tegaserod, which showed an enhanced water content in fecal pel- lets （59.20%±1.09% vs 51.44%±1.19% of control, P 〈 0.05）, mangiferin evidenced no such effect, indi-cating that it has only a motor and not a secretomotor effect. CONCLUSION： Our data indicate the prokinetic action of mangiferin. It can stimulate the normal GIT and also overcome the drug-induced transit delay, via a choliner- gic physiological mechanism.

Dose-related effects of dexamethasone on liver damage due to bile duct ligation in rats

AIM: To evaluate the effects of dexamethasone on liver damage in rats with bile duct ligation. METHODS: A total of 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 165-205 g, were used in this study. Group 1 (sham-control, n = 10) rats underwent laparotomy alone and the bile duct was just dissected from the surrounding tissue. Group 2 rats (untreated, n = 10) were subjected to bile duct ligation (BDL) and no drug was applied. Group 3 rats (low-dose dexa, n = 10) received a daily dose of dexamethasone by orogastric tube for 14 d after BDL. Group 4 rats (high-dose dexa, n = 10) received a daily dose of dexamethasone by orogastric tube for 14 d after BDL. At the end of the two-week period, biochemical and histological evaluations were processed. RESULTS: The mean serum bilirubin and liver enzyme levels signifi cantly decreased, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) values were significantly increased in low-dose dexa and high-dose dexa groups when compared to the untreated group. The histopathological score was significantly less in the low-dose and high-dose dexa groups compared to the untreated rats. In the low-dose dexa group, moderate liver damage was seen, while mild liver damage was observed in the high-dose dexa group. CONCLUSION: Corticosteroids reduced liver damage produced by bile duct obstruction. However, the histopathological score was not signifi cantly lower in the high-dose corticosteroid group as compared to the low-dose group. Thus, low-dose corticosteroid provides asignifi cant reduction of liver damage without increased side effects, while high dose is associated not with lower fi brosis but with increased side effects.

Protective effect of low dose of melatonin against cholestatic oxidative stress after common bile duct ligation in rats

AIM: To investigate the role of oxidative injury and the effect of exogenous melatonin administration on liver damage induced by bile duct ligation (BDL), and second, to evaluate the role of nitric oxide (NO), a free oxygen radical, in oxidative injury. METHODS: Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to four groups: sham operation (SO), BDL, BDL+melatonin, and BDL+vehicle. Cholestasis was achieved by double ligature of the common bile duct. Melatonin was injected intraperitoneally 500 μg/(kg·d) for 8 d. Hepatic oxidative stress markers were evaluated by changes in the amount of lipid peroxides, measured as malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced GSH. Total nitrite (NOx) concentrations were determined in hepatic homogenates. Histopathological examination was performed using a histological scoring system. RESULTS: The histopathological changes including portal inflammation, necrosis,apoptosis, focal inflammation and fibrosis were severe in the BDL and BDL+vehicle groups. There were numerous large areas of coagulation necrosis. Histological Activity Index scores of these groups were significantly higher than that of the SO group. Treatment with melatonin reduced these alterations significantly. The degree of necro-inflammation and fibrosis showed significant difference between the BDL and BDL+melatonin groups. BDL was accompanied by a significant increase in MDA and NOx, and a significant decrease in GSH levels. Mean±SE values of MDA, GSH and NOx levels of SO group were 147.47±6.69, 0.88±0.33 μmol/g and 180.70±6.58 nm/g, respectively. The values of BDL group were 200.14±21.30, 0.65±0.02 μmol/g, and 400.46±48.89 nm/g, respectively, whereas the values of BDL+melatonin group were 115.93±6.8,0.74±0.02 μmol/g, and 290.38±32.32 nm/g, respectively. Melatonin treatment was associated with a significant recovery of MDA, GSH and NOx levels. CONCLUSION: We have concluded that oxidative stress is associated with the pathogenesis of cholestatic liver damage and NO contributes to oxidative damage. Melatonin, even at low dose, is an efficient agent in reducing negative parameters of cholestasis.

Biphasic Response of Mouse Ileal Smooth Muscles to Aspirin in a Dose Response Manner

Strips of mouse ileum were used in current study to investigate the effect of different concentrations of aspirin on their smooth muscles activities. Student＇s kymograph and glass jacket organ bath were used for recording ilum smooth muscles contractions. The recording of the muscles contractions showed regular autorhythmic pattern, and this contraction was enhanced by both ACh （acetylcholine） and KCI （potassium chloride）. This normal contraction and that induced by ACh and KCI mainly depended on the extracellular calcium in their tension and maintaining. Aspirin exerted different effects on ileal smooth muscles contractions depending upon concentrations. Low concentrations 2-40 mM had an stimulatory effects, while high concentrations 60-200 mM had an inhibitory effects, which led to relaxation. Ca^＋2 free solution abolished muscles response to aspirin with the concentrations caused contractions. Aspirin in tum led to continuation of acetylcholine induced contractions.

Effects of warm ischemia time on biliary injury in rat liver transplantation

AIM:To investigate the effect of different secondary warm ischemia time (SWIT) on bile duct injury in livertransplanted rats. METHODS:Forty-eight male inbred Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups:a shamoperation group and three groups with secondary biliary warm ischemia time of 0 min, 10 min and 20 min. A rat model of autologous liver transplantation under ether anesthesia was established, and six rats were killed in each group and blood samples and the median lobe of the liver were collected for assay at 6 h and 24 h after hepatic arterial reperfusion. RESULTS:With prolongation of biliary warm ischemia time, the level of vascular endothelial growth factor-A was significantly decreased, and the value at 24 h was higher than that at 6 h after hepatic arterial reperfusion, but with no significant difference. The extended biliary SWIT led to a significant increase in bile duct epithelial cell apoptosis, and a decrease in the number of blood vessels, the bile duct surrounding the blood vessels and bile duct epithelial cell proliferation in the early postoperative portal area. Pathologic examinations showed that inflammation of the rat portal area was aggravated, and biliary epithelial cell injury was significantly worsened. CONCLUSION:A prolonged biliary warm ischemia time results in aggravated injury of the bile duct and the surrounding vascular plexus in rat autologous orthotopic liver transplantation.

Histochemical study of the pre- and postnatal development of acetylcholinesterase in the rat spinal cord

The distribution of acetylcholinesterase(AChE)-positive structures in the developing rat spinal cord was studied with AChE-histochemistry.AChE-positive perikarya were first seen on embryonic day 14(E14) in the ventrolateral portion of the spinal cord.From that time onward.AChE=containing cells appeared gradually in the intermediate gray,dorsal horn and lateral spinal nucleus of the spinal cord in a ventral-to-dorsal,and lateral-to-medial order.No obvious rostral-to-caudal sequence was found.At birth,the distribution pattern of AChE-positive perikarya was basically similar to that in adults.After birth a dramatic increase in the AChE staining intensity extended from postnatal day 5(P5) to postnatal day 21(P21),In addition,two phases of transient AChE staining were observed in the external surface of the dorsal horn from embryonic day 15(E15) to embryonic day 21(E21) and in the marginal layer from embryonic day 21(E21) to postnatal day 14(P14),respectively.

Can pigment gallstones be induced by biliary stricture and prevented by medicine in Guinea pigs?

AIM: To determine the relationship between biliary stricture and pigment gallstone formation, and the prevention of pigment gallstones with medicine. METHODS: One hundred and eighteen male guinea pigs were randomly divided into four groups: stricture group (S, n = 30) underwent partial ligation of common bile duct, and fed on regular chow; S plus medicine group (S+M, n = 27) underwent the same operation but fed on medicinal chow (0.3 g chenodeoxycholic acid, 0.5 g glucurolactone, and 0.5 g aspirin were mixed up in 1.2 kg regular chow); medicinal control group (C+M, n = 30) was free of operation, and fed on medicinal chow; and control group (C, n = 31) was free of operation and fed on regular chow. One week later, laparotomy was performed, and the bile of gallbladder was collected, measured, and cultured. RESULTS: Gallstones were identif ied. Pigment gallstones were induced by biliary stricture in 95% (22/23) of S group. In the S+M group, the incidence of gallstone was reduced to 55% (11/20, vs S group, P < 0.01). The changes of indirect bilirubin and ionized calcium in the bile were consistent with gallstone incidences. CONCLUSION: Biliary stricture can cause pigment gallstone formation in guinea pigs, and the medicines used can lower the incidence of gallstones. The bilirubin and ionized calcium play important roles in pigment gallstone formation.

A simple taurocholate-induced model of severe acute pancreatitis in rats

AIM: To investigate gut barrier damage and intestinal bacteria translocation in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), a simple rat model of SAP was induced and studied.METHODS: Pancreatitis was induced by uniformly distributed injection of 3.8% Na taurocholate (1 mL/kg) beneath the pancreatic capsule. Rats in the control group were injected with normal saline in the identical location. RESULTS: Serum amylase, plasma endotoxin, intestinal permeability, and pancreatitis pathology scores were all markedly higher in the pancreatitis group than in the control group (P < 0.01). The bacterial infection rate was signif icantly higher in the SAP group than in the control group (P < 0.01), observed in parallel by both bacterial culture and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Acute damage of the pancreas was observed histologically in SAP rats, showing interstitial edema, leukocyte infiltration, acinar cell necrosis and hemorrhage. The microstructure of the intestinal mucosa of SAP ratsappeared to be destroyed with loose, shortened microvilli and rupture of the intercellular junction, as shown by electron microscopy. CONCLUSION: Significant gut barrier damage and intestinal bacterial translocation were def initely observed with few potential study confounders in this SAP rat model, suggesting that it may be an appropriate animal model for study of gut barrier damage and bacterial translocation in SAP.

α-Lipoic acid protects against cholecystokinin-induced acute pancreatitis in rats

AIM: α-Lipoic acid (ALA) has been used as an antioxidant.The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of α-lipoic acid on cholecystokinin (CCK)-octapeptide induced acute pancreatitis in rats.METHODS: ALA at 1 mg/kg was intra-peritoneally injected, followed by 75 μg/kg CCK-octapeptide injected thrice subcutaneously after 1, 3, and 5 h. This whole procedure was repeated for 5 d. We checked the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio, the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the levels of lipase,amylase of serum. Repeated CCK octapeptide treatment resulted in typical laboratory and morphological changes of experimentally induced pancreatitis.RESULTS: ALA significantly decreased the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio and serum amylase and lipase in CCK octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis. However,the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were comparable in CCK octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis.CONCLUSION: ALA may have a protective effect against CCK octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis.