肿瘤坏死因子α对心肌细胞内受磷蛋白表达和细胞内钙的调节作用

目的探讨肿瘤坏死因子α(TNFα)对培养的乳鼠心肌细胞内受磷蛋白(PLB)和肌浆网钙泵蛋白同功酶(SERCA2a)基因表达及细胞内游离钙离子浓度的影响。方法体外培养的乳鼠心肌细胞被随机分成对照组和不同浓度TNFα(1、10、30、50、70μg/L)干预组,用单管一步法逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和Westernblotting技术,观察TNFα对乳鼠心肌细胞PLB和SERCA2a基因表达的影响。采用Fluo-3/Am荧光染色剂负载细胞,在激光共聚焦显微镜下测定TNFα对单个乳鼠心肌细胞内游离钙离子浓度的影响。结果TNFα浓度依赖性增高PLBmRNA和蛋白质的表达,10、30、50、70μg/LTNFα组PLBmRNA表达量分别较对照组增加66%、106%、141%、189%(P<0.05),蛋白质的表达分别较对照组提高30%、48%、73%、114%(P<0.001)。而1μg/LTNFα组与对照组PLBmRNA和蛋白质表达差异均无显著性。TNFα不影响SERCA2a的表达。50μg/LTNFα作用细胞24h,能降低异丙肾上腺素刺激的[Ca2+]i变化幅度的增高,[Ca2+]i变化幅度较对照组减少33%(P<0.01),但对静息状态下[Ca2+]i变化幅度无影响。结论TNFα可增强心肌细胞内PLB的表达,降低心肌细胞内[Ca2+]i的变化,这可能与TNFα对心肌细胞的负性肌力作用有关。

Expression and significance of VEGF-C and FLT-4 in gastric cancer

AIM:To investigate the expression of pathological factors of VEGF-C and its receptor FLT-4 in primary gastric cancer and adjacent normal tissues.METHODS: The expression of VEGF-C and FLT-4 was studied in 80 primary gastric cancers and adjacent normal tissues from the same patients by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immu mohistochemistry.RESULTS:Both primary gastric cancer and adjacent normal tissue could express VEGF-C and FLT-4, and FLT-4 expression was also detected in endothelial cells of stromal blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. There was a significant difference in expression of VEGF-C between primary tumor and adjacent normal tissue samples (P=0.01),and a statistical correlation between VEGF-C and FLT-4 expression in tumors (P=-0.00886). With regard to VEGF-C expression,there was a significant difference between moderate-poor differential type and high differential type (P=0.032), and a significant difference between positive and negative lymph node metastases (P=0.024).However,there was no significant difference between positive and negative serosal invasions (P=0.219).CONCLUSION: VEGF-C and its receptor FLT-4 play a role in the development of gastric cancer, and the tumors with expression of VEGF-C and FLT-4 are more likely to have lymph node metastasis.

Diallyl disulfide-induced G2/M arrest of human gastric cancer MGC803 cells involves activation of p38 MAP kinase pathways

AIM: To determine the role of p38 MAP kinase signal transduction pathways in diallyl disulfide (DADS)-induced G2/M arrest in human gastric cancer MGC803 cells.METHODS: MGC803 cell growth inhibition was measured by MTT assay. Phase distribution of cell cyde was analyzed by flow cytometry. Expression of Cdc25C, p38, phosphorylation of p38 (pp38) were determined by Western blotting.RESULTS: MT1- assay showed that SB203580, a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor blocked DADS-induced growth inhibition.Flow cytometry analysis revealed that treatment of MGC803 cells with 30 mg/L DADS increased the percentage of cells in the G2/M phase from 9.3% to 39.4% (P<0.05), whereas inhibition of p38 activity by SB203580 abolished induction of G2/M arrest by DADS. Western blotting showed that phosphorylation of p38 was increased 3.52-fold following treatment of MGC803 cells with 30 mg/L DADS for 20 min(P<0.05), whereas Cdc25C was decreased 68% following treatment of MGCS03 cells with 30 mg/L DADS for 24 h(P<0.05). Decreased Cdc25C protein expression by DADS was attenuated by SB203580 (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: DADS-induced G2/M arrest of MGC803 cells involves activation of p38 MAP kinase pathways.Decreased Cdc25C protein expression by p38 MAPK played a crucial role in G2/M arrest after treatment with DADS.

Key role of mast cells and their major secretory products in inflammatory bowel disease

Historically, mast cells were known as a key cell type involved in type I hypersensitivity. Until last two decades, this cell type was recognized to be widely involved in a number of non-allergic diseases including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Markedly increased numbers of mast cells were observed in the mucosa of the ileum and colon of patients with IBD, which was accompanied by great changes of the content in mast cells such as dramatically increased expression of TNFα,IL-16 and substance P. The evidence of mast cell degranulation was found in the wall of intestine from patients with IBD with immunohistochemistry technique. The highly elevated histamine and tryptase levels were detected in mucosa of patients with IBD, strongly suggesting that mast cell degranulation is involved in the pathogenesis of IBD.However, little is known of the actions of histamine, tryptase,chymase and carboxypeptidase in IBD. Over the last decade,heparin has been used to treat IBD in clinical practice. The low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was effective as adjuvant therapy, and the patients showed good clinical and laboratory response with no serious adverse effects. The roles of PGD2, LTC4, PAF and mast cell cytokines in IBD were also discussed. Recently, a series of experiments with dispersed colon mast cells suggested there should be at least two pathways in man for mast cells to amplify their own activation-degranulation signals in an autocrine or paracrine manner.The hypothesis is that mast cell secretogogues induce mast cell degranulation, release histamine, then stimulate the adjacent mast cells or positively feedback to further stimulate its host mast cells through H1 receptor. Whereas released tryptase acts similarly to histamine, but activates mast cells through its receptor PAR-2. The connections between current anti-IBD therapies or potential therapies for IBD with mastcells were discussed, implicating further that mast cell is a key cell type that is involved in the pathogenesis of IBD.In conclusion, while pathogenesis of IBD remains unclear, the key role of mast cells in this group of diseases demonstrated in the current review implicates strongly that IBD is a mast cell associated disease. Therefore, close attentions should be paid to the role of mast cells in IBD.

Intra-tumor injection of H101,a recombinant adenovirus,in combination with chemotherapy in patients with advanced cancers:A pilot phase Ⅱ clinical trial

AIM: HI01, an EIB 55 kD gene deleted adenovirus, has been shown to possess oncolysis activity experimentally and proved to be safe in preliminary phase I study. The current study was designed to evaluate its anti-tumor activity and toxicity in combination with chemotherapy in patients with late stage cancers.METHODS: H101 5.0×10^11 virus particles were given by intra-tumor injection daily for five consecutive days at every three-week cycle, combined with routine chemotherapy,to one of the tumor lesions of 50 patients with different malignant tumors. Tumor lesions without H101 injection in the same individuals were used as controls. The efficacy and toxicity were recorded.RESULTS: Forty-six patients were evaluable with a 30.4% response rate. H101 injection in combination with chemotherapy induced three complete response (CR) and 11 partial response (PR), giving an overall response rate of 28.0% (14/50) among intention-to-treat patients. The response rate for the control lesions was 13.0%, including one case with CR and five cases with PR, which was significantly lower than that for the injected lesions (P<0.05).Main side effects were fever (30.2%) and pain at the injected sites (26.9%). Grade 1 hepatic dysfunction was found in four patients, grade 2 in one patient, and grade 4 in one patient. Hematological toxicity (grade 4) was found in four patients.CONCLUSION: Intra-tumor injection of the genetically engineered adenovirus H101 exhibits potential anti-tumor activity to refractory malignant tumors in combination with chemotherapy. Low toxicity and good tolerance of patients to H101were observed.

Overexpression of Aurora-A kinase promotes tumor cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line

Attrora-A kinase, a serine/threonine protein kinase, is a potential oncogene. Amplification and overexpression of Aurora-A have been found in several types of human tumors, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma （ESCC）. It has been demonstrated that cells overexpressing Attrora-A are more resistant to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating these effects remain largely unknown. In this report, we showed that overexpression of Attrora-A through stable transfection of pEGFP-Aurora-A in human ESCC KYSE150 cells significantly promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cisplatin- or UV irradiation-induced apoptosis. Cleavages of caspase-3 and poly （ADPribose） polymerase （PARP） in Attrora-A overexpressing cells were substantially reduced after cisplatin or UV treatment. Furthermore, we found that silencing of endogenous Aurora-A kinase with siRNA substantially enhanced sensitivity to cisplatin- or UV-induced apoptosis in human ESCC EC9706 cells. In parallel, overexpression of Aurora-A potently upregulated the expression of Bcl-2. Moreover, the knockdown of Bcl-2 by siRNA abrogated the Aurora-A＇s effect on inhibiting apoptosis. Taken together, these data provide evidence that Aurora-A overexpression promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis, suggesting a novel mechanism that is closely related to malignant phenotype and anti-cancer drugs resistance of ESCC cells.

DNA ploidy and c-Kitmutation in gastrointestinal stromal tumors

AIM: To investigate the prognostic significance of c-Kitgen emutation and DNA ploidy in gastointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).METHODS: A total of 55 cases of GISTs were studied for the expression of c-Kit by immunohistochemistry, and the c-Kit gene mutations in exons 9, 11, 13, and 17 were detected by polymerase chain reaction-single strand confirmation polymarphism (PCR-SSCP) and denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (D-HPLC) techniques. DNA ploidy was determined by flow cytometry.RESULTS: Of the 55 cases of GISTs, 53 cases (96.4%) expressed c-Kit protein. The c-Kit gene mutations of exons 11 and 9 were found in 30 (54.5%) and 7 cases (12.7%),respectively. No mutations were found in exons 13 and 17.DNA aneuploidy was seen in 10 cases (18.2%). The c-Kit mutation positive GISTs were larger in size than the negative GISTs. The aneuploidy tumors were statistically associated with large size, high mitotic counts, high risk groups, high cellularity and severe nuclear atypia, and epithelioid type.There was a tendency that c-Kit mutations were more frequently found in aneuploidy GISTs.CONCLUSION: DNA aneuploidy and c-Kit mutations can be considered as prognostic factors in GISTs.

Functional changes of intestinal mucosal barrier insurgically critical patients

BACKGROUND： The gut is capable of inducing multiple organ dysfunction syndrome （MODS）. In the diagnosis and treatment of critical ill patients, doctors should pay particular attention to the protection or recovery of intestinal barrier function. However, no reliable diagnostic criteria are available clinically. This study aimed to assess the changes of intestinal mucosal barrier function in surgically critical ill patients as well as their signi？ cance.METHODS： Thirty-eight surgically critical ill patients were enrolled as a study group （APACHE II〉8 scores）, and 15 non-critical ill patients without intestinal dysfunction were selected as a control group （APACHE II〈6）. General information, symptoms, physical signs, and APACHE II scores of the patients were recorded. The patients in the study group were subdivided into an intestinal dysfunction group （n=26） and a non-intestinal dysfunction group （n=12）. Three ml venous blood was collected from the control group on admission and the same volume of plasma was collected from the study group both on admission and in the period of recovery. The plasma concentrations of endotoxin, diamine oxidase （DAO）, D-lactate, and intestinal fatty-acid binding protein （iFABP） were detected respectively. The data collected were analyzed by the SPSS 17.0 software for Windows. RESULTS： The levels of variables were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group （P〈0.01）. They were higher in the intestinal dysfunction group than in the non-intestinal dysfunction group （DAO P〈0.05, endotoxin, D-lactate, iFABP P〈0.01）. In the non-intestinal dysfunction group compared with the control group, the level of endotoxin was not significant （P〉0.05）, but the levels of DAO, D-lactate and iFABP were statistically significant （P〈0.05）. The levels of variables in acute stage were higher than those in recovery stage （P〈0.01）.The death group showed higher levels of variables than the survival group （endotoxin and D-lactate P〈0.01, DAO and iFABP P〈0.05）.CONCLUSION： The plasma concentrations of endotoxin, DAO, D-lactate, and intestinal fatty-acid binding protein （iFABP） could re？ ect a better function of the intestinal mucosa barrier in surgically critical ill patients.

15d-PGJ_2 inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis of MCG-803 human gastric cancer cell line

AIM: To investigate the influence of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) ligand, 15-deoxy-△12, 14-prostaglandin J2 (15dPGJ2) on the proliferation and apoptosis of MCG-803 human gastric cancer cell lines.METHODS: Cell proliferation was measured by 3H-TdR assay. Apoptosis was determined by ELISA and TUNEL staining. Protein and mRNA level of bcl-2 family and COXs were measured by Western blotting and Northern blotting respectively. PGE2 production was examined by RIA.RESULTS: 15dPGJ2 inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis of MlCG-803 cells. The COX-2 and bcl-2/bax ratios were decreased following 15dPGJ2 treatment. The PGE2production in supernatants was also decreased. These changes were in a dose-dependent manner.CONCLUSION: 15dPGJ2 may be a useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Inhibition of human La protein by RNA interference downregulates hepatitis B virus mRNA in 2.2.15 cells

AIM: To investigate the role of human La protein in HBV mRNA expression.METHODS: Three human La protein (hLa) specific siRNA expression cassettes (SECs) containing U6+1 promoter were prepared via one-step overlapping extension PCR. After transfection with SECs into HepG2 cells, inhibition effects on hLa expression were analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting. Then, effective SECs were screened out and transfected into 2.2.15 cells, a stable HBV-producing cell line. HBV surface antigen(HBsAg) and e antigen (HBeAg) secretions into culture media were detected by microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) and HBs and HBe mRNA levels were analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.RESULTS: SEC products containing U6+1 snRNA promoter,and 3 sites of hLa mRNA specific siRNA were obtained successfully by one-step overlapping extension PCR and could be directly transfected into HepG2 cells, resulting in inhibition of La protein expression in both mRNA and protein levels, among which U6+l-hLa833 was the most efficient,which reduced 18.6-fold mRNA and 89% protein level respectively. In 2.2.15 cells, U6+l-hLa833 was also efficient on inhibition of hLa expression. Furthermore, semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that HI3s and HBe mRNA levels were significantly decreased by 8-and 66-fold in U6+l-hLa833 transfected cells compared to control. Accordingly, HBsAg and HBeAg secretions were decreased partly posttransfection with SECs.CONCLUSION: PCR-based SECs can be used to mediate RNAi in mammalian cells and provide a novel approach to study the function of La protein. The inhibition of La protein expression can result in a significant decrease ofHBV mRNA, which implies that the hLa protein is also involved HBV RNA metabolism as one of the HBV RNA-stabilizing factors in human cells.

Analysis of clinical effect of high-intensity focused ultrasound on liver cancer

AIM: To evaluate the clinical effect of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in the treatment of patients with liver cancer.METHODS: HIFU treatment was performed in 100 patients with liver cancer under general anesthesia and by a targeted ultrasound. Evaluation of efficacy was made on the basis of clinical symptoms, liver function tests, AFP,MRI or CT before and after the treatment.RESULTS: After HIFU treatment, clinical symptoms were relieved in 86.6%(71/82) of patients. The ascites disappeared in 6 patients. ALT (95±44) U/L and AST(114±58) U/L before HIFU treatment were reduced to normal in 83.3%(30/36) and 72.9%(35/48) patients,respectively, after the treatment. AFP was lowered by more than 50% in 65.3%(32/49) patients. After HIFU treatment,MRI or CT findings indicated coagulation necrosis and blood supply reduction or disappearance of tumor in the target region.CONCLUSION: HIFU can efficiently treat the patients with liver cancer. It will offer a significant noninvasive therapy for local treatment of liver tumor.

Treatment of pig serum-induced rat liver fibrosis with Boschniakia rossica, oxymatrine and interferon-α

AIM: To investigate the effect of Boschniakia rossica (BR),oxymatrine (OM) and interferon-alpha (IFN-α) 1b on the therapy of rat liver fibrosis and its mechanism.METHODS: By establishing a rat model of pig serum-induced liver fibrosis, liver/weight index and serum alanine transaminase (ALT) were observed to investigate the therapeutic effect of BR, OM and IFN-α. Radioimmunoassay was utilized to measure procollagen type Ⅲ (PCⅢ) and collagen type Ⅳ (CIV). RT-PCR was used to assay the expression of liver transforming growth factor- beta 1 (TGF-β1) mRNA. Immunohistochemistry of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and pathologic changes of liver tissues were also under investigation.RESULTS: Serum PCⅢ and CIV in BR, OM and IFN-α groups were significantly declined compared with those in model group, and their RT-PCR revealed that TGF-β1 mRNA expression was also reduced more than that in model group. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that α-SMA also declined more than that in model group. Serum ALT in IFN-α, control and model groups was within normal level.Serum ALT in BR group had no significant difference from those of IFN-α, control and model groups. Serum ALT in OM group was significantly higher than those in BR, IFN-α,model, and control groups.CONCLUSION: BR, OM and IFN-α can prevent pig seruminduced liver rat fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells and synthesizing collagen. OM has hepatotoxicity to rat liver fibrosis induced by pig serum.

Therapeutic mechanism of ginkgo biloba exocarp polysaccharides on gastric cancer

AIM: To study the therapeutic mechanism of Ginkgo biloba exocarp polysaccharides (GBEP) on gastric cancer.METHODS: Thirty patients with gastric cancer were treated with oral GBEP capsules. The area of tumors was measured by electron gastroscope before and after treatment, then the inhibitory and effective rates were calculated. The ultrastructures of tumor cells were examined by transmissional electron microscope. Cell culture, MTT, flow cytometry were performed to observe proliferation, apoptosis and changes of relevant gene expression of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells.RESULTS: Compared with the statement before treatment,GBEP capsules could reduce the area of tumors, and the effective rate was 73.4 %. Ultrastructural changes of the cells indicated that GBEP could induce apoptosis and differentiation in tumor cells of patients with gastric cancer.GBEP could inhibit the growth of human gastric cancer SGC7901 cells following 24-72 h treatment in vitro at 10-320 mg/L,which was dose- and time-dependent. GBEP was able to elevate the apoptosis rate and expression of c-los gene,but reduce the expression of c-myc and bcl-2 genes also in a dose-dependent manner.CONCLUSION: The therapeutic mechanism of GBEP on human gastric cancer may relate to its effects on the expression of c-myc, bcl-2 and c-los genes, which can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis and differentiation of tumor cells.

Combination of telomerase antisense oligonucleotides simultaneously targeting hTR and hTERT produces synergism of inhibition of telomerase activity and growth in human colon cancer cell line

AIM: To investigate synergism of inhibition of telomerase activity and proliferation of human colon cancer cells by combination of telomerase antisense oligonucleotides (ASODNs) simultaneously targeting human telomerase RNA (hTR) and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in vitro. METHODS: ASODN of hTR and ASODN of hTERT were transfected into human colon cancer SW480 cells by liposomal transfection reagents. Telomerase activity of SW480 cells was examined using telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP)-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PCR-ELISA). Proliferation activity of SW480 cells was tested by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The telomerase activity and cell survival rate in SW480 cells transfected with 0.2 μmol/L of ASODN of hTR or ASODN of hTERT for 24-72 h were significantly decreased in a time-dependent manner compared with those after treatment with sense oligonucleotides and untreated (telomerase activity: 24 h, 73%, 74% vs99%, 98%; 48 h, 61%, 55% vs98%, 99%; 72 h, 41%, 37% vs 99%, 97%; P<0.01; cell survival rate: 24 h, 88%, 86% vs594%, 98%; 48 h, 49%, 47% vs94%, 97%; 72 h, 44%, 42% vs92%, 96%; P<0.01). Moreover, the telomerase activity and the cell survival rate in SW480 cells treated by the combination of telomerase anti-hTR and anti-hTERT were more significantly suppressed than single anti-hTR or anti-hTERT (telomerase activity: 24 h, 59% vs 73%, 74%; 48 h, 43% vs61%, 55%; 72 h, 18% vs41%, 37%; P<0.01; cell survival rate: 24 h, 64% vs88%, 86%; 48 h, 37% vs49%, 47%; 72 h, 25% vs44%, 42%; P<0.01). Meanwhile, the apoptosis rates in the combination group were markedly increased compared with those in the single group (24 h, 18.0% vs7.2%, 7.4%; 48 h, 23.0% vs13.0%, 14.0%; 72 h, 28.6% vs 13.2%, 13.75; P<0.01). Cells in combination group were arrested at G0/G1 phase. CONCLUSION: Telomerase anti-hRT and anti-hTERT suppress telomerase activity, and inhibit growth of human colon cancer cells probably via induction of apoptosis and retardation of cell cycle. Additionally, combined use of telomerase ASODNs targeting both hTR and hTERT yields synergistic action selective for human colon cancer.

Separation and identification of differentially expressed nuclear matrix proteins between human esophageal immortalized and carcinomatous cell lines

AIM: To separate and identify differentially expressed nuclear matrix proteins (NMPs) between the immortalized human esophageal epithelial cell line (SHEE) and the malignantly transformed esophageal carcinoma cell line (SHEEC), and to provide new ways for finding specific markers and the pathogenesis of esophageal carcinoma.METHODS: SHEE and SHEEC cell lines were used to extract NMPs. The quality of NMPs was monitored by Western blot analysis including DNA topoisomerase Ⅱα, proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and histone. NMPs of SHEE and SHEEC were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), silver staining and PDQuest6.2 image analysis software. Three spots in which the differentially expressed NMlPs were more obvious, were selected and analyzed with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flying mass spectrometry (MALDI- TOF-MS) and database search.RESULTS: Western blot analysis revealed that DNA topoisomerase Ⅱα and PCNA were detected, and the majority of histones were deleted in NMPs of SHEE and SHEEC. After 2-DE image analysis by PDQuest6.2 software, the 2-DE maps were detected with an average of 106±7.1 spots in SHEE and 132±5.0 spots in SHEEC. Most of them were matched one another (r=0.72), only 16 protein spots were found differing in intensity. Three NMPs including cytoskeletal tropomyosin,FK506bindingprotein6,similartoretinoblastoma binding protein 8 were preliminarily identified by MALDI- TOF-MS.CONCLUSION: These differentially expressed NMPs may play an important role during malignant transformation from SHEE to SHEEC. Their separation and identification will contribute to searching for specific markers and probing into the pathogenesis of esophageal carcinoma.

Prognostic factors in 165 elderly colorectal cancer patients

AIM: To analyse the prognostic factors in 165 colorectal patients aged ≥70.METHODS: One hundred and sixty-five elderly patients with colorectal cancer diagnosed by histology were entered into the retrospective study between 1994 and 2001. Patients were given optimal operation alone, chemotherapy after operation, or chemotherapy alone according to tumor stage,histology, physical strength, and co-morbid problems.Survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method, and compared with meaningful variances by Log-rank method.Prognostic factors were analyzed by Cox regression.RESULTS: The 1,2,3,4,5 year survival rate (all-cause rnortality)was 87.76%, 65.96%, 52.05%, 42.77%, 40.51%,respectively. The mean survival time was 41.89±2.33 months (95% CI: 37.33-46.45 months), and the median survival time was 37 months. Univariate analysis showed that factors such as age, nodal metastasis, treatment method, Duke's stage, gross findings, kind of histology, and degree of differentiation had influences on the survival rate. Multivariate analysis showed that factors such as treatment method,Duke's stage, kind of histology and degree of differentiation were independent prognostic factors.CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the prognosis of elderly colorectal cancer patients is influenced by several factors. Most of elderly patients can endure surgery and/or chemotherapy, and have a long-time survival and good quality of life.

Extraction of protoporphyrin disodium and its inhibitory effects on HBV-DNA

AIM:To explore an ideal method for extracting protoporphyrin disodium (PPN) from unanticoagulated animal blood, and to study the inhibitory effects of PPN on HBV-DNA duplication and its cytotoxicity to 2.2.15 cell strain.METHODS:Protoporphyrin methyl ester and other intermediate products were prepared with protoheme separated from protein hydrolysates of coagulated animal blood, which were finally made into PPN and detected quantitatively with an ultraviolet fluorescent analyzer.Ten μg/ml, 20μg/ml, 40μg/ml, 80μg/ml and 160μg/ml of PPN-aqueous solution were added into culture medium for 2.2.15 cells respectively. Eight days later, the drug concentration in supernatant from the culture medium was detected when inhibition rate of HBeAg, cell survival rate when inhibition rate of HBeAg was 50% (ID50), and when survival cells in experimental group were 50% of those in control group (CD50), and the therapeutic index (TI) was also detected. PPN with different concentration of 10μg/ml,20μg/ml, 40μg/ml, 80μg/ml and 160μg/ml was respectively mixed and cultivated with HepG2 2.2.15 cell suspension,and then the inhibition of PPN against HBV-DNA was judged by PCR.RESULTS:The extract of henna crystal was identified to be PPN. When the concentrations of PPN were 160μg/ml and 80μg/ml, the inhibition rates of HBeAg were 89.8% and 82.4%, and the cell survival rates were 98.7% and 99.2%.CONCLUSION:It is suggested that PPN can be extracted from unanticoagulated animal blood. PPN can inhibit HBV-DNA expression and duplication in vitro, and has no cytotoxicity to liver cells. Further study and application of PPN are warranted.

Heme oxygenase-1 prevents liver fibrosis in rats by regulating the expression of PPAR_γ and NF-_κB

AIM:To investigate the effects of heme oxygenase(HO)-1 on liver fibrosis and the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPARγ) and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) in rats.METHODS:Sixty Wistar rats were used to construct liver fibrosis models and were randomly divided into 5 groups:group A(normal,untreated),group B(model for 4 wk,untreated),group C(model for 6 wk,untreated),group D [model for 6 wk,treated with zinc protoporphyrin Ⅸ(ZnPP-Ⅸ) from week 4 to week 6],group E(model for 6 wk,treated with hemin from week 4 to week 6).Next,liver injury was assessed by measuring serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and albumin levels.The degree of hepatic fibrosis was evaluated by measuring serum hyaluronate acid(HA),type Ⅳ collagen(Ⅳ-C) and by histological examination.Hydroxyproline(Hyp) content in the liver homogenate was determined.The expres-sion levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) in liver tissue were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The expression levels of PPARγ and NF-κB were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting.RESULTS:The expression of HO-1 increased with the development of fibrosis.Induction of HO-1 by hemin significantly attenuated the severity of liver injury and the levels of liver fibrosis as compared with inhibition of HO-1 by ZnPP-Ⅸ.The concentrations of serum ALT,AST,HA and Ⅳ-C in group E decreased compared with group C and group D(P < 0.01).Amount of Hyp and α-SMA in the liver tissues in group E decreased compared with group C(0.62 ± 0.14 vs 0.84 ± 0.07,1.42 ± 0.17 vs 1.84 ± 0.17,respectively,P < 0.01) and group D(0.62 ± 0.14 vs 1.11 ± 0.16,1.42 ± 0.17 vs 2.56 ± 0.37,respectively,P < 0.01).The expression of PPARγ at levels of transcription and translation decreased with the development of fibrosis especially in group D;and it increased in group E compared with groups C and D(0.88 ± 0.15 vs 0.56 ± 0.19,0.88 ± 0.15 vs 0.41 ± 0.11,respectively,P < 0.01).The expression of NF-κB increased with the development of fibrosis especially in group D;and it decreased in group E compared with groups C and D(1.43 ± 0.31 vs 1.89 ± 0.29,1.43 ± 0.31 vs 2.53 ± 0.54,respectively,P < 0.01).CONCLUSION:Our data demonstrate a potential mechanism that HO-1 can prevent liver fibrosis by enhancing the expression of PPARγ and decreasing the expression of NF-κB in liver tissues.

Influence of Hypertension, Lipometabolism Disorders,Obesity and Other Lifestyles on SpontaneousIntracerebral Hemorrhage

Objective To investigate whether hypertension, abnormal lipometabolism, obesity, cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking affect the intracerebral hemorrhagic volumes (IHV) in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SIHP), and to explore the roles of these factors in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SIH). Methods Five hundred patients with acute SIH and 200 healthy adult volunteers (HAV) were enrolled in a study of independently randomized controlled design, in which the levels of systolic pressure (SP) and diastolic pressure (DP), and total cholesterol (TCH), triacylglycerols (triglycerides, TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-CH), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-CH) in serum as well as the level of erythrocytic membrane cholesterol (EM-CH) were measured, and the body mass index (BMI), daily cigarette smoking consumption (DCSC) and daily pure alcohol consumption (DPAC) were calculated. Results Compared with the average parameters in the HAV group, those of SP, DP, TG, LDL-CH and BMI in the SIHP group were significantly increased (P<0.0001), while those of HDL-CH and EM-CH were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). The linear regression and correlation analysis showed that with increased SP, DP, LDL-CH, BMI, DCSC, DPAC and aging as well as decreased HDL-CH and EM-CH, the IHV levels in SIHP were increased gradually (P<0.0001-0.01). The linear stepwise regression analysis suggested that there existed a close correlation among the values of SP, DP, TCH, TG, HDL-CH, LDL-CH, EM-CH, BMI, DCSC, DPAC, age and fflV of the SIH patients, and that Y = - 12.4583 + 0.1127SP -1.1977EM-CH + 0.9788LDL-CH + 0.2477BMI + 0.0382DCSC + 0.0248DP,P<0.0001-0.05. Conclusions The findings in the present study suggest that significantly increased systolic and diastolic pressure, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, body mass index and daily cigarette smoking consumption, and significantly decreased erythrocytic membrane cholesterol may be likely the main factors affecting intracerebral hemorrhagic volumes in patients with acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

Huge gastric disopyrobezoar:A case report and review of literatures

We reported a case of huge gastric phytobezoar. The gastric phytobezoar was successfully removed through gastrotomy after two failed attempts in endoscopic fragmentation and removal. Disopyrobezoars could be treated either conservatively or surgically. Gastrotomy or laparoscopical management is recommended for the treatment of huge disopyrobezoars.