Hepatic differentiation capability of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and hematopoietic stem cells

AIM: To investigate the different effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) on hepatic differentiation.METHODS: MSCs from rat bone marrow were isolated and cultured by standard methods. HSCs from rat bone marrow were isolated and purified by magnetic activated cell sorting. Both cell subsets were induced. Morphology, RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry were used to identify the hepatic differentiation grade.RESULTS: MSCs exhibited round in shape after differentiation, instead of fibroblast-like morphology before differentiation. Albumin mRNA and protein were expressed positively in MSCs, without detection of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). HSCs were polygonal in shape after differentiation. The expression of albumin signal decreased and AFP signal increased. The expression of CK18 was continuous in MSCs and HSCs both before and after induction.CONCLUSION: Both MSCs and HSCs have hepatic differentiation capabilities. However, their capabilities are not the same. MSCs can differentiate into mature hepatocyte-like cells, never expressing early hepatic specific genes, while Thy-1.1^+cells are incllned to differentiate into hepatic stem cell-like cells, with an increasing AFP expression and a decreasing albumin signal. CK18 mRNA is positive in Thy-1.1^+ cells and MSCs, negative in Thy-1.1^+ cells. It seems that CK18 has some relationship with Thy-1.1 antigen, and CK18 may be a predictive marker of hepatic differentiation capability.

CYP1A1,GSTs and mEH polymorphisms and susceptibility to esophageal carcinoma:Study of population from a high-incidence area in north China

AIM: To characterize cytochrome P4501A1 (CYPIA1), glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) polymorphisms in Chinese esophageal cancer patients. METHODS: Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR based restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCRRFLP) were used to detect polymorphism changes of CYP,GSTs and mEH on esophageal cancerous and precancerous lesions as well as in case control group. All the examination samples were obtained from Linzhou (formerly Linxian), Henan Province, the highest incidence area for esophageal. RESULTS: The frequency of CYP1A1 3'' polymorphism in case control group (26/38, 68 %) was significantly higher than in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma^roup (ESCC) (29/62, 47 %) (P<0.05). A significant difference in the incidence of mEH slow allele variant was observed between case control group (15/38, 39 %) and esophageal dysplasiagroup (22/32, 69 %) or ESCC group (39/62, 63 %) (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed among different groups in the polymorphisms of CYPIA1 exon 7, GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 and mEH fast allele. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that CYPIA1 3'' polymorphism may be one of the promising protectivef actors and its wild gene type may be an indicator for higher susceptibility to esophageal cancer, mEH slow allele variant,associated with the progression of esophageal precancerous lesions, may conthbute to the high susceptibility to esophageal carcinoma.

Application of Polyaniline Incorporated Carbon Particles Coated Platinum Electrode in Coulometric Titration to Determination of Polyisoprene Alcohol

The feasibility of using electrodes modified with polyaniline incorporated carbon particles films for improving the precision of coulometric titration is demonstrated. The problem of large deviation produced during determining polyisoprene by coulometric titration with direct titration technique(double Pt electrodes indicating electrode) has been solved. In the titration process, polyisoprene alcohol, an electro-inactive species, is adsorbed on the surface of the bare Pt electrode, which inhibits the electrode reaction of Br - and Br 2. Therefore, when the titration reaches the end-point, the detected current will slowly change with time, which can make the repeatability of end-point poor. The atomic force microscopic images show the morphology of the electrode surface of adsorbing polyisoprene alcohol. The application of the chemically modified electrode instead of the bare Pt electrode to indicating the end-point has been investigated. The results show that the Pt electrode coated with polyaniline incorporated carbon particles films is an excellent indicator electrode. This electrode has advantages that the indicating signals are sharp and repeatable at end-point. The precision and the accuracy of the determination of polyisoprene alcohol are satisfactory.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF INTRAVENOUS ACCELERATED STREPTOKINASE DOSE REGIMEN WITH CONVENTIONAL DOSE REGIMEN FOR CORONARY THROMBOLYSIS

The aim of this study is to test the patency rate and safety of the accelerated streptokinase dose regimen for coronary thrombolysis compared with the conventional one. One hundred and four patients enterring three hospitals up to 12 hours after the onset of definite acute myocardial infarction were randomizely treated with intravenous accelerated streptokinase dose regimen ( 1. 5 million units/30 min) (group A, 47 cases) and conventional dose regimen ( 1. 5 million units/60 min) (group B , 57 casese). The reperfusion rate of infarct-related arteries determined by clinical evidence of reperfusion was 76. 6% (36/47) in group A VS 61. 4% (35/57) in group B. There was significant difference in reperfusion rates among patients within 6 hours after the onset of chest pain : 87. 9% (29/33) in group A VS 67. 4 (29/43) in group B(P<0. 05 ). The incidence of mild bleeding , allergic reaction , hypotension was 12. 8 % ( 6/47 ) , 4. 3 % ( 2/47 ) , 12. 8 ( 6/47 ) respectively in group A vs 21. 1 ( 12/57 ) , 3. 5 (2/57) . 17. 5 % ( 10/57) respectively in group B. Compared to conventional dose regimen, intravenous accelerated streptokinase dose regimen for coronary thrombolysis seems to improve reperfusion rate markedly without increasing adverse events such as bleeding , allergic reaction and hypotension. It suggests that accelerated streptokinase therapy deserves more extensive investigation.

Serum Levels of Interleukin-2 and- 10 in Patients with Early Syphilis

Objective: To investigate the roles of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in pathogenesis of early syphilis.Methods: The serum levels of IL-2 and IL-10 in 48 patients with early syphilis were detected by ABC-ELISA.Results: (1) The level of IL-2 in the patients with early syphilis was significantly higher than that in healthy controls, while that of IL-10 was lower (P<0.001 and P<0.001). (2) The levels of IL-2 and IL-10 were almost identical in patients with primary and secondary syphilis (P>0.05), as well as between dif-ferent RPR titers (P>0.05). (3) After therapy, the level of IL-2 decreased markedly (P<0.05), while that of IL-10 increase (p>0.05). (4) A significant correlation was found between the serum levels of IL-2 and IL-10 (r=0.5385 P<0.05).Conclusions: Th1 up-regulation occurs in patients with early syphilis, and plays an active role in fighting against TP infection.