Objective To investigate the relationship between expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), glutathione S-transferase-π (GST-π) and chemosensitivities in lymph node metastases (LNMs) of gastrointestinal carcinomas. Methods Tumor chemosesitivities to 9 drugs was measured by MTT assay, and the expression of P-gp and GST-π were determined immunohistochemically in primary tumor (PT) and LNMs of gastrointestinal carcinomas in 54 patients. Results The P-gp expression was detected in 22% cases (k= -0.0133, P =0.8698) for beth PT and LNMs, and of GST-π in 50% (k =0. 1137, P= 0. 1496). Expression of P-gp and GST-π in LNMs were stronger eompared with PT (Z = -3. 0448, Z = -2. 1178, both P <0. 05). The inhibition rates of LNMs cells for VCR, OPT, OXA, DDP and MTX were lower than those to PT (all P < 0. 05), but for VP-16 it was higher (P < 0. 05). In PT, there were negative correlation between expression of P-gp and inhibition rates of tumor cells for 5-FU, VCR and PTX respectively (r = -0. 4142 ～ -0. 5712, all P <0. 05), and GST-π for 5-FU, VCR, OPT and PTX as well (r = -0. 3927 ～ -0. 4951, all P <0. 05). In LNMs, negative correlation between expression of P-gp and inhibition rates of tumor cells for VP-16, PTX and eADM were found statistically (r = - 0. 3802 ～ - 0. 4624, all P < 0. 05), and also GST-π for 5-FU, VCR and DDP (r = - 0. 3996 ～ - 0. 5345, all P < 0. 05). Conclusions The LNMs of gastrointestinal carcinomas are heterogeneous with respect to expression of mdr-related factors and response to chemotherapy, and more resistant than the PT for chemotherapeutants. Effective adjuvant chemotherapy in gastrointestinal cancers depends on targeting the metastatic component of the tumor.

Type 2 diabetic rats were treated with recombiriant adenovirus expressing human adiponectin (Ad-APN).The results showed that the levels of both plasma C-reactive protein and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were significantly decreased in Ad-APN-treated diabetic rats compared with those of diabetic rats [(18.73±4.66 vs 23.60±4.25)mg/L and (14.91±1.79 vs 19.09±2.95) ng/ml,both P＜0.01].These results suggest that increased serum concentration of adiponectin may improve the status of inflammation in diabetes mellitus.