Objective:To investigate the concentrations of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine(SPARC)in the serum and urine of patients with IgA nephropathy and its expression in the kidney tissues.Methods:The concentrations of SPARC, tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?),interleukin 1?(IL-1?),and interleukin 6(IL-6)in the serum and urine were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The contents of'SPARC protein in the culture medium of human mesangial cell (HMC)and human renal tubular epithelial cell(HKC),which had been treated with IL-6,were determined by ELISA.The ex- pression and distribution of SPARC in IgA nephropathy and normal kidney tissues were observed by immunohistochemistry as- say.Results:The concentrations of SPARC in serum and urine of IgA nephropathy patients were higher than those of the normal control subjects([2.43?1.22]?g/ml vs[0.69?0.21]?g/ml,[7.73?2.81]?g/ml vs[1.17?1.03]?g/ml,P

ced glutathione in MHD patients appears to be associated with an improvement of oxidative stress.

Objective To investigate the effects of SPARC (secreated protein acidic and rich in cysteine) and its peptide on proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of human mesangial cells cultured in vitro, and explore the possible mechanism. Methods Mesangial cells were incubated in the media with various concentrations of SPARC and its peptide cultured in vitro. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT colorimetric assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis index were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of cyclinD1 and p21Wafl proteins in response to SPARC and its peptide in HMC was determined by Western blot. Results Various concentrations of SPARC and its peptide could significantly inhibit the proliferation of mesangial cells in dose- and time-dependent manner, regulate the cell cycle at phrase G-0/G1 increased while cells phrase S reduced, and could also induce apoptosis. Under the stimulation of SPARC and its peptide, the expression of cyclinDl in HMC decreased markedly meanwhile the expression of p21Wafl increased significantly. Conclusions SPARC and its peptide can effectively inhibit HMC proliferation and regulate cell cycle progression. The mechanism may be mediated by inhibiting cyclinDl and stimulating p21Wafl expression, subsequently blocking cells passing through G-S check point, which will be useful for treating mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis.

Objective To investigate the effect of L-carnitine on pathological changes of myocardium and the underlying mechanism in chronic renal failure rats (CRF). Methods A total of 55 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=10),model group (n=15),low dose (300 mg/kg),medium dose (600 mg/kg) and high dose (900 mg/kg) L-carnitine group(n=10,each).5/6 subtotal nephrectomy was performed in these rats without sham group.One week after the operation,normal saline or corresponding dose L-carnitine were intragastrically administrated to sham and model group or L-carnitine groups for 17 weeks.Transthoracic echocardiography,mean arterial pressure (MAP),heart rate (HR) and heart weight/body weight were assessed.Moreover,24h urine protein,renal function,SOD,MDA,IL-6,ATP,ADP were measured at the end of the study.Additionally,pathological changes in myocardium were detected by light microscope and transmission electron microscope. Results (1) ATP (μmol/g·wt)in L-carnitine groups (2.35±0.24,3.59±0.28,3.78±0.25) was significantly higher than that in model group (1.61±0.12) (all P＜0.01).(2) Thickness of posterior wall of left ventricle (mm) in high dose L-carnitine group was thinner than that in model group (3.74±0.23 vs 4.18±0.48,P＜0.05). (3) The ratios of heart weight to body weight in both medium dose and high dose L-carnitine groups (3.92±0.27,3.65±0.2) were significantly lower compared to model group (3.99±0.27) (all P＜0.01). (4) Under light microscopy,disarrangement and hypertrophy of cardiac myocytes,increased myocardial fibrosis were observed in model group, while these changes and the pathological scores were significantly improved in both medium dose and high dose L-carnitine groups (7.14±1.07,6.13±0.99),as compared with model group (9.88±1.13) (all P＜0.01).Under electron microscopy,typical changes in cardiac hypertrophy were observed,including dissolution of myocardial fibers,increasing and swelling of mitochondria,membrane rupture as well as matrix increase in model group,while these changes were ameliorated by L-carnitine in a dose-dependent manner. (5) Seventeen weeks after the treatment,both IL-6 and MDA were decreased in all L-carnitine-treated groups than those in model group [IL-6 (ng/L):261.86±13.18,240.12±18.7,233.34±36.88 vs 596.64±81.41; MDA (nmol/L):15.23±2.01,12.41±0.6.10.97±1.9 vs 21.84±2.71).Whereas,SOD (U/ml) were increased in L-carnitine-treated groups (51.2±6.11,58.51±5.52,60.63±6.94) than that in model group(32.01 ±5.69 )(all P＜0.05).(6) No significant differences of systolic,diastolic blood pressure or MAP were found among groups. Conclusion L-carnitine can improve energy metabolism,micro-inflammation and oxidative stress in myocardium of CRF rats,which may be associated with the amelioration of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis.

Objective To investigate the effects of parathyroid hormone(PTH)on microinflammatory and nutritional status in maintenance hemodialysis(MHD)patients.Methods Ninety-eight MHD patients were selected,who hod undergone hemodialysis for at least three months before the study and were in a stable clinical status without signs of infection or disease activity.The serum level of intact PTH was measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay(ECLIA),while the serum levels of interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The levels of C-reactive protein(CRP),albumin(Alb),pre-albumin(PA),hemoglobin(Hb)and lipids were measured.Body measurement and modified quantitative subjective global assessment(MQSGA)was done simultaneously.Correlation analysis between serum PTH level and the parameters for inflammation and nutrition Was performed.Results The serum levels of intact PTH in MHD patients[(353.46±102.41)ng/L]were significantly higher than those in the control people[(57.45±5.76)ng/L,P<0.01],and the serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,TNF-α and CRP were significantly higher in MHD patients than those in the control people(P<0.01 or <0.05).Relative body weight(RBW),triceps skin fold thickness(TSF),mid-arm circumference(MAC)and mid-arm muscle circumference(MAMC)in MHD patients decreased significantly(P<0.05 or <0.01),while the score of MQSGA increased markedly(P<0.01).The levels of intact PTH showed significantly positive correlations with the levels of CRP,IL-1β, IL-6,TNF-α, lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] , serum phosphorus and ages of MHD(P<0.05 or <0.01 ).The levels of intact PTH showed significantly negative correlations with RBW, MAC, MAMC, Alb, Hb and total cholesterol(TC) in MHD patients (P<0.01 or <0.05) . And there was also significantly positive correlation between PTH and MQSGA in MHD patients (P<0.05). Conclusion PTH is probably involved in the presence and the progression of malnutrition-inflammation-atherosclerosis syndrome in MHD patients.

Objective To investigate the serum cystatin C (CysC) level and explore its relationship with cytokines and atherosclerosis (AS) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.Methods A total of 110 stable MHD patients undergoing hemodialysis for at least six months and 60 healthy control people were enrolled in the study.Serum levels of CysC and high-sensitivity Creactive protein (hsCRP) were measured by immunoturbidimetry.The serum levels of total homocysteine (tHcy),IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α were determined by ELISA.Prevalence of atherosclerosis was detected by carotid ultrasonography.The relationship of CysC level and cardiac geometry incidence in MHD patients was analyzed by Logistic regression model.Results The serum CysC level was significantly higher in MHD patients as compared with healthy controls [(6.19±0.95) mg/L vs (0.76±0.21) mg/L,P＜0.01],and the serum levels of hsCRP,tHcy,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α were significantly higher in MHD patients than those in healthy control group (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The serum CysC level was higher in MHD patients with carotid artery atherosclerosis compared to patients without carotid artery atherosclerosis (P＜0.05).CysC was positively correlated with hsCRP,tHcy,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α respectively (P＜0.05 or P＜O.01),and was positively correlated with carotid intimal medial thickness (IMT) and AS.Besides,a negative correlation was found between the serum CysC level and the serum albumin level (P＜0.05),while CysC was positively correlated with dialysis duration,systolic pressure and iPTH (P ＜0.05).Conclusion Serum CysC level is significantly higher in MHD patients and is correlated with hsCRP,tHcy,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α as well as carotid artery atherosclerosis,which indicates that CysC is an independent risk factor of AS in MHD patients.

Objective To observe the efficacy, safety and feasibility of the four kinds of anticoagulation method in hemodialysis patients with high risk of hemorrhage. Methods 128 patients with high risk of hemorrhage who had undergone hemodialysis were randomly divided into four groups. In group A, 68patients were resorted with 30% regional sodium citrate anticoagulation(RCA). In group B, 60 patients were treated with local heparin anticoagulation. In group C, 64 patients were treated with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). In group D, 66 patients received no heparinization hemodialysis. The changes of bleeding, clotting function, adverse effect and nursing strategies were studied. Results All patients of group A completed regular hemodialysis with satisfactory indices, 6 cases with bleeding and primary bleeding aggravated in group B, 8 cases with bleeding and primary bleeding aggravated in group C, 8 cases occurred grade three coagulation and finished dialysis in group D. 3 cases in group A and 2 cases in group B occurred adverse reaction, but no adverse reaction was seen in group C and D. Conclusions RCA is safe,effective and can be easily handled in regular hemodialysis. It is an ideal dialysate for hemodialysis in patients with high risk of hemorrhage.

Objective To investigate the relationship between expressions of multidurg resistance associated factors and chemosensitivity of 5-fluorouracil(5-FU) in lymph node metastases(LNMs) of colon carcinoma.Methods The chemosensitivity to 5-FU was measured by MTT assay,and the expressions of P-gp,GST-?,p53,survivin,Bcl-2 and Bax were determined immunohistochemically in 48 paired primary tumor(PT) and LNMs of colon carcinoma.Results The inhibition rates of LNMs cells for 5-FU were higher than that of PT(P

AIM:To observe the effect of altitude hypoxia on ?-aminobutyric (GABA) content and prepro-somatostatin mRNA (PPS-mRNA) in the rat hypothalamus. METHODS: Using altitude hypoxia model,in situ hybridization and amino acid analyzer, the number of PPS-mRNA and GABA content in rat hypothalamus was determined. RESULTS:After altitude hypoxia, the contents of GABA in hypothalamus and the number of PPS-mRNA neurons in periventricular nucleus (PeVN), paraventricular nucleus (PaVN) and arcuate nucleus (ArcN) increased significiantly. Bicuculline, a GABA receptor antagonits, could enhance PPS-mRNA expression evoked by altitude hypoxia, but had no effect on GABA content. CONCLUSION: Altitude hypoxia can induce neurotransmitter imbalance of hypothalamus.

AIM: To observe the effect of altitude hypoxia on glutamate, aspartate and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the rat hypothalamus. METHODS: Using altitude hypoxia model, amino acid analysis system and the NADPH-d histochemistry, we determined the content of glutamate, aspartate and the number of NADPH-d neurons in the rat hypothalamus. RESULTS: After altitude hypoxia, the contents of glutamate, aspartate in the hypothalamus of rats were increased significantly, densely and deeply stained NADPH-d neurons were seen in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN)and supraoptic nucleus(SON). If rat were pretreated with the NMDA receptor blockers Ketamine (ip,40 mg/Kg)or AP-V(i.c.v, 10 ?g) , the number of NADPH-d neurons in the rat hypothalamic PVN and SON was markedly less than that in corresponding altitude hypoxia group. CONCLUSION: NMDA receptor may take part in the expression of hypothalamic NOS induced by altitude hypoxia.