Objective To investigate the effect of co-stimulatory molecular CD137 and CD28 on the cell proliferation, IL-2 secretion and cell apoptotic rate of activated T cells in naturally senile mice and subacute senile mice induced by D-galactose. Methods Seven-week-old BALB/c male mice were divided into D-galactose induced subacute senile group (D-gal group) , control group and young group randomly. Subacute senile mice model was established by back hypodermic injection of D-galactose (120 mg/kg, dissolved in 0. 1 ml distilled water) everyday for five month. Control group was established by injection of 0. 1 ml distilled water everyday for five month. Young group was injected with nothing. And 16-month-old BALB/c male mice was taken as aged group. The spleen T cells of each group were isolated and activated in vitro stimulation with ConA + IgG, ConA + CD137mAb or ConA + CD28mAb. The cell proliferation, apoptotic rate and IL-2 concentration in cell culture supernate of T cells were detected. Results (1) The cell proliferation (0.422?0.057, A), IL-2 secretion(0.632?0.066, A)and apoptotic rate(68.0%?2. 4%) of T cells in D-gal group stimulated in vitro with ConA+IgG showed no significant difference when compared with those of aged group. Compared with young and control group, activation of T cell in D-gal and aged groups were significantly decreased; (2) Cell proliferation, IL-2 secretion and cell survival of T cells in D-gal group and aged group were significantly promoted by both ConA + CD137mAb [(0. 639?0. 053, A) , (1.119?0.035,A), (53.3%?2.4)%, respectively] and ConA +CD28mAb. CD137 mAb had less effect on both groups than did CD28 mAb. Conclusions (1) Similar age-associated alterations happen in T cells of both D-gal group and aged group. (2) CD137 and CD28 can promote the activation and survival of T cells in aged and D-gal group. But CD28 has stronger effect on regulation of T cells than CD137.

Objective To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in rabbit abdominal arterial atherosclerotic plaque. Methods Eighteen male New Zealand rabbits weighing 2 kg were randomized to normal control group (n=6) and hypercholesterolemia group (n=12). The latter was given hypercholesterol diet for 2 weeks, and then catheter-induced abdominal aortic wall injury was performed. Rabbits in hypercholesterolemia and aortic injury group were randomized to model group (n=6,4 weeks of hypercholesterol diet) and atorvastatin(5 mg?kg-1?d-1 for 4 weeks)group (n=6). Finally, the levels of MMP2 and MMP9 protein and mRNA in the abdominal aortic artery were measured by immunohistochemical analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) zymography. Results The intimal-medial thickness[(0. 49?0. 072) mm vs (0.66?0.079) mm, P

Objective To investigate the age-related change of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) content in stimulated whole saliva. Methods Ninety-four healthy adults aged 20-94 yrs were enrolled. Samples of whole stimulated saliva were collected from all subjects, the SLPI content was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The flow rate of the SLPI in older groups was lower than in the young group (P0. 05) , but the contents of SLPI secretion per time-unit of the three older groups[(2. 12?1. 70), (2. 17?2. 65) , (1. 91?2. 51) ng/min, all P

Objective To study the effect of angiotensinⅡon the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells(hUVEC) , and the effect of peroxisome proliferator- activated receptors (PPARs)?and?on MCP-1. Methods MCP-1 protein level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, and the mRNA expression level of MCP-1 was determined by RT-PCR. Results AngiotensinⅡdistinctly increased the expression of MCP-1 in a dose-dependent manner in cultured hUVECs, and valsartan inhibited the expression of MCP-1 remarkably. Both rosiglitazone (PPAR7 agonist) and fenofibrate (PPAR?agonist) concentration- dependently reduced the expression of MCP-1 in induced by AngⅡ10-6 mol/L. Conclusions AngiotensinⅡcan increase the expression of MCP-1 evidently in hUVECs, which is inhibited by valsartan. The activation of PPARa and PPAR?can decrease the expression of MCP-1 in hUVECs.

Objective To explore the significance of negative expiratory pressure technique in detecting expiratory flow limitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Methods Negative expiratory pressure technique was performed in 13 special COPD patients who did not accomplish routine pulmonary function tests. Results Negative expiratory pressure technique was executed successfully in 13 special COPD patients without any side-effects. Expiratory flow limitation was detected in 12 special COPD patients. 5-point expiratory flow limitation score was significantly correlated with Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea score, which was a predictor of dyspnea. Conclusions Negative expiratory pressure technique provides a test which is simple, rapid, noninvasive and does not require any initiative cooperation from the patients, it can be applied in special COPD patients who can not accomplish routine pulmonary function tests.

Objective To investigate the effect of T149-C and A163-G polymorphism of osteoprotegerin promoter region combined with low-body weight on bone mineral density (BMD) of postmenopausal osteoporosis women and postmenopausal healthy women. Methods Seventy-three postmenopausal osteoporosis women and 61 postmenopausal healthy women were enrolled. The shifted patterns were searched from randomly selected 25 samples by SSCP-PCR and their sequences were determined by cycle sequencing. The T149-C and A163-G polymorphisms were determined by PCR-RFLP. BMD of lumbar spines and femoral neck, Ward and trochanteric areas were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results T149-C and A163-G polymorphisms in the postmenopausal osteoporosis women and the postmenopausal healthy women were through Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. Both single and combined genotype frequencies of the T149-C and A163-G polymorphism did not show any difference between postmenopausal osteoporosis women and postmenopausal healthy women. The BMD levels of the postmenopausal osteoporosis women were significantly lower than those of the postmenopausal healthy women in lumbar spines and femoral neck, and BMI levels of the postmenopausal osteoporosis women was significantly lower than those of the postmenopausal healthy women. Conclusions The T149-C and A163-G polymorphism has no synergistic effect on bone mass in both the postmenopausal osteoporosis women and the postmenopausal healthy women. The single and combined genotypes of the T149-C and A163-G polymorphism may not be used as genetic markers in predicting their risk of developing osteoporosis in Chinese women of the Han nationality, but may be susceptible gene of osteoporosis.

Objective To observe the expressions of Clara cell secretary protein (CC16) mRNA and protein in senile rats. Methods The histological changes, the level of CC16 mRNA in lung tissue and CC16 protein in terminal bronchioles and respiratory bronchioles were measured in 10 senile rats (at the age of 26 months) and compared with 7 young rats (aged 3 months). Results The epithelial cells lined up irregularly in respiratory bronchioles and mild emphysema were found in the senile group. Compared with young group,the level of CC16 mRNA was decreased[(0.08v1.71) vs (10. 02?4. 66) , P

0. 05). However, the serum CYFRA21-1 level was related to the histologic classification (P

0. 05) . (3) The symptoms were ameliorated and the physically active ability was improved after 6 months exercise training. Conclusions Although the pulmonary function is not significantly improved, but the symptoms and the exercise endurance are improved after 6 months exercise training in the elderly outpatients with COPD.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of M2A capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding of elder patients. Methods Capsule endoscopy was used in 27 elderly patients, who were suspected of small bowel bleeding because of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. About 20 of the 27 patients underwent gastroscopy, colonoscopy or air-baricum double contrast examination, but none of the examinations confirmed the bleeding sites, whereas the other 5 patients didn't receive any examination because of their intolerance. Results M2A capsule endoscopy disclosed the sites of small bowel disorders in 20 out of the 27 patients, the positive rate was about 74. 1%. The pathological findings consisted of angiodysplasia in 6 cases, mutipolypi in the intestine in 4, and 1 of them was diagnosed rare Cronkhite-Canada syndrome, prominency in the intestine in 4, single or multiple ulcers in the intestine in 7, diffuse mucosa lesion in the intestine in 9 and diverticulum in 1, arteriolar bleeding in gastric in 2, gastric mucosa erosion or ulcer in 5, whereas 7 patients were in negative findings. There were 12 patients in whom appeared at least 2 sites of pathological changes. Conclusions This study demonstrates that capsule endoscopy provides an excellent visualization way for the small intestines, especially when the elder patients suffers obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. It is safe and usefull for evaluating the suspected small bowel bleeding.