ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of etomidate postconditioning on apoptosis in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) injury.MethodsThirty-two pathogen-free male SD rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n =8 each) using random number table:group sham operation ( group S); group focal cerebral I/R; group lipid emulsion (vehicle for etomidate) (group L) and group etomidate postconditioning (group Ep).Focal cerebral I/R was induced by inserting a nylon thread with rounded tip into right internal carotid artery.The thread was advanced cranially until resistance was met.Middle cerebral artery was occluded for 2 h in groups I/R,L and Ep.Normal saline,lipid emulsion and etomidate emulsion 20 mg/kg were injected peritoneally at the end of ischemia in groups I/R,L and Ep respectively.The animals were sacrificed at 24 h of reperfusion and their brains were removed for microscopic examination,assessment of apoptosis (by TUNEL) and detection of Bcl-2 and Bax expression ( by immuno-histochemistry).Apoptosis index ( AI =the number of apoptofic neurons/the total number of neurons examined × 100％ ) and Bcl-2/Bax ratio were calculated.Results I/R induced microscopic changes,significantly increased AI and Bcl-2 Bax ratio and up-regulated Bcl-2 and Bax expression in group I/R as compared with group S.Etomidate postconditioning significantly amefiorated brain damage,decreased AI,increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio,up-regulated Bcl-2 expression and down-regulated Bax expression in ischemic cerebral hemisphere in group Ep as compared with group I/R.There was no significant difference in brain damage,AI and Bcl-2 and Bax expression and Bcl-2/Bax ratio between groups I/R and L.ConclusionEtomidate postconditioning can attenuate focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting apoptosis and modulating Bcl-2 and Bax expression.

Effects of epidural block on stress response during eardiopulmonary bypass were studied. Twenty patients, undergoing open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, were randomly divided into two groups:the control group with intravenous high-dose fentanyl and enflurane inhalation (1%-1.5%);the tested group with epidural block and enflurane inhalation (0.5%-1%). The plasma norepinephine (NE) and epinephrine (E) concentrations were higher in group control than those in tested group during and after CPB,even at the end of operation (P

Objective To investigate the effects of different concentrations of sevoflurane on adhesion and expression of CD24 and CD44v6 in human lung cancer cell line A549.Methods Human lung cancer cell line A549 was obtained from Shanghai Cell Biology Medical Research Institute,Chinese Academy of Sciences and cultured in RPMI1640 culture medium containing 10％ fetal calf serum.The cells were inoculated in 24 well culture plate.After being cultured for 24 h,the cells were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group (group C) and 3 sevoflurane groups exposed to 1.7 ％,3.4 ％ and 5.1％ sevoflurane for 2,4 and 6 h respectively ( groups S1,S2,S3 ).The cells were cultured for another 48 h.Cell adhesion rate was detected by adhesion test and the expression of CD24 and CD44v6 mRNA and protein was determined by RT-PCR and flow cytometry.Results Sevoflurane significantly inhibited the cell adhesion rate and down-regulated CD24 and CD44v6 expression in a concentration and duration of exposure-dependent manner.Conclusion Sevoflurane can inhibit cell adhesion through down-regulation of CD24 and CD44v6 expression.

Objective To evaluate the effect of continuous spinal anesthesia with a "catheter-over-needle" system which diminished the leakage of CSF through the hole in the dura alongside the inserted catheter and minimizes the risk of post-dura-puncture headache. Methods Sixty ASA Ⅰ - Ⅱ patients aged over 60 yr, scheduled for transurethral prostatectomy, were randomly divided into two groups of 30 patients in each group: group I continuous spinal anesthesia (CSA); group Ⅱ continuous epidural anesthesia(CEA) . Catheter was placed at L2-3 or L3-4. Both groups received 0.5% bupivacaine for surgery. A loading dose of 1.5-2.5 ml (groupⅠ ) or 8-13 ml (group Ⅱ) was given. If the surgery exceeded 2 h a third of the loading dose was injected. For postoperative analgesia a mixture of 0.125% bupivacaine + 0.0006% fentanyl was used. In group I the PCA setting was loading dose 0.5ml, background infusion at 0.5 ml/h, bolus dose 0.5 ml and lock-out interval 8 min. In group Ⅱ the loading dose was 2 ml followed by background infusion at 2 ml/h and bolus dose was 2 ml with lock-out interval of 15 min. Onset time and level of analgesia were recorded during surgery and VAS pain score and movement of lower extremities (modified Bromage score) were assessed. Postoperative PCA was maintained for 50 h. Results The demographic data including age, height and body weight were comparable between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the duration of surgery between the two groups. The onset of block was significantly faster in group I (3.5 ?2.3) min than that in the group Ⅱ (9.5 ?3.4) min. Motor blockade was less intense in group Ⅱ as assessed by modified Bromage score. Analgesia was more satisfactory in group I as less patients received fentanyl and droperidol iv during surgery in group I . Thetotal amount of bupivacaine used during postoperative analgesia was significantly less in group I , only about one-fifth of the total amount used in group Ⅱ. Two patients complained of headache in group I but in group Ⅱ there was also one patient complaining of headache. Conclusion Continuous spinal anesthesia has the advantage of faster onset of block, better analgesia, more intense motor block with less local anesthetic.

Objective To determine the most appropriate combination of target effect-site concentrations (Ce) of propofol and remifentanil administered by TCI for fiberoptic bmnchoscopy in terms of depth of anesthesia and safety.Methods One hundred and eighty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients of both sexes aged 18-60 yr with body mass index ranging from 20-25 kg/m2 undergoing elective fiberoptic bronchoscopy under general anesthesia were randomized into 6 groups based on Ce of propofol (5.0,5.5,6.0 μg/ml) and remifentanil(2.5,3.0 ng/ml)(n=30 each):P5.0 R2.5,P5.5 R2.5,P6.0 R2.5,P530 R3.0,P5.5 R3.0 and P6.0 R3.0.Anesthesia was induced and maintained with TCI of propofol and remifentanil.MAP,HR,and SpO2 were continuously monitored.The examination was started when the target Ce was reached.When continuous coughing or bronchospasm occurred,2% lidocaine was given for topical anesthesia.When MAP decreased by more than 30% of the baseline value and/ or HR<55 boats per min,ephedrine was injected iv.When MAP increased by more than 30% of the baseline value and/or HR>120 beats per min,remifentanil was injected iv.TCI was stopped when the examination was over.The amount of propofol and remifentanil consumed,induction time,emergence time,duration of bronchoscopy and the number of the patients in whom ephedrine and intermittent iv boluses of remifentanil were given were recorded and compared among the 6 groups.The efficacy ofanesthesia was evaluated and the doctors' satisfaction recorded.Results The induction time and emergence time were significantly longer in P6.0 R3.0 and P6.0 R2.5 groups than in the other 4 groups ( P < 0.05). The efficacy of anesthesia was better in group P5.5 R3.0 and P6.0 R3.0 than in group P5.0 P2.5, P5.5 R2.5 and P5.0 R3.0 ( P < 0.05). Anesthesia was more satisfactory as evaluated by the doctor in group P5.5 R3.0.The number of patients who received iv bolus of remifentanil and ephedrine during bronchoscopy was smallest in group P5.5 R3.0 ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion TCI of propofol at Ce of 5.5 μg/ml combined with remifentanil TCI at Ce of 3.0 ng/ml provides satisfactory anesthesia for flberoptic bronchoscopy.

Objective To investigate the effects of isoflurane and sevonumne on apoptosis and expression of CD44 and CD54 in human lung cancer cell line A549.Methods Human lung cancer A549 cells were obtained from Shanghai Cell Biology Medical Research Institute,Chinese Academy of Sciences,and inoculated in 24 well culture plate.After being cultured for 24 h the cells were randomly divided into 3 groups:group Ⅰ control(group C);group Ⅱ isoflurane (group Iso) and group Ⅲ sevoflurane (group Sev).A 549 cells were exposed to 1.7% isoflurane and 2.5%sevoflurane for 4 h respectively in group Iso and Sev respectively,and were then cultured for another 24 h.Apoptosis and expression of CD44 and CD54 in A549 cells were detected with flow cytometer at 0 (T0),2 h(T1) and 4 h(T2) of and 24 h after(T3) exposure to isoflurane and sevoflurane.Results The percentage of apoptotic cells wag significantly higher at T2 and T3 in group Iso than in group C.The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly higher at T1,T2 and T3 in group Sev than in group Iso and C.The expression of CD44 and CD54 at T1,T2 and T3 was significantly decreased as compared with the baseline at T0 in group Iso and Sev and was significantly lower in group Iso and Sev than in group C.Conclusion Isoflurane and sevoflurane can induce apoptesis of human lung cancer cell line A549, and sevoflurane is more effective. Isoflurane and sevoflurane can inhibit the expression of CD44 and CD54 of human lung cancer cell line A549.

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of T-type calcium channel in the spinal neurotoxicity of intrathecal (IT) lidocaine in rats.MethodsForty-eight adult male SD rats in which IT catheter was successfully implanted,weighing 230-270 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n =12 each):dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)group (group D),lidocaine group (group L),mibefradil + lidocaine group (group M),normal saline + lidocaine group (group N).Another 12 rats served as control group (group C).DMSO and 10％ lidocaine 20μl were injected intrathecally in groups D and L respectively.After mibefradil 200 μg/10μl and normal saline 10 μl were injected intrathecally in groups M and N respectively,10％ lidocaine 20 μl was injected intrathecally in the two groups.The mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured before IT injection and at 2,4,8 and 12 h and 1,2,3,4 and 5 d after IT injection (T0-9).Four rats were sacrificed at T6 in each group and their lumbar enlargements were removed for microscopic examination.ResultsCompared with group C,no significant change in MWT and TWL was found at each time point in group D,MWT was significantly increased at T1-8 and TWL was significantly prolonged at T1-7 in groups L and N,and MWT was significantly increased at T1-6 and TWL was significantly prolonged at T1-6 in group M ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Compared with groups L and N,MWT was significantly decreased at T1-4 and TWL was significantly shortened at T1-4 in group M ( P ＜ 0.05).Pathological injury was significantly reduced in group M as compared with groups L and N.ConclusionT-type calcium channel is involved in the spinal neurotoxicity of IT lidocaine in rats.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of sevoflurane on inhibition of invasive activity and migration of human adenocarcinoma cell line A549 by cisplatin.MethodsThe.human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 was obtained from Shanghai Cell Biology Institute,Chinese Academy of Sciences and cultured in RPMI 1640 culture medium containing 10％ fetal calf serum.The cells were inoculated in culture plate and cultured for 24 h and randomly divided into 4 groups:control group; 2.5 ％ sevoflurane group ; cisplatin group and cisplatin + 2.5 ％sevoflurane group.In groups sevoflurane,cisplatin and cisplatin + sevoflurane the cells were exposed to 2.5％sevoflurane or/and cisplatin 10μmol/L for 4 h respectively.The invasive activity of the cells was evaluated by Transwell chamber assay.The migration of the cells was determined by wound healing assay.The expression of MMP-2,MMP-9,Ezrin,and Fascin in the cells was detected by Western blot.ResultsBoth 2.5％ sevoflurane and cisplatin depressed invasive activity and migration of the A549 cells and down-regulated MMP-2,MMP-9,Ezrin and Fascin expression in A549 cells.The inhibitory effects of cisplatin on the A549 cells were potentiated by 2.5 ％ sevoflurane.ConclusionSevoflurane can enhance the inhibition of invasive activity and migration of human adenocarcinoma cell line A549 by cisplatin.

Objective To investigate the effects of sevoflurane on inhibition of growth of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells by cisplatin and γ ray.Methods The human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 was seeded in culture plate.After being cultured for 24 h,the cells were randomly divided into 6 groups (n =6each):control group (group C),sevoflurane group (group S),cisplatin group (group D),cisplatin + sevoflurane group (group DS),γ ray group (group R) and γ ray + sevoflurane group (group RS).A549 cells were exposed to 2.5% sevoflurane for 4 h in group S.Cisplatin with the final concentration of 3 mg/L was added to the culture medium and the cells were then incubated for 4 h in group D.Cisplatin with the final concentration of 3 mg/L was added to the culture medium and the cells were then exposed to 2.5 % sevoflurane for 4 h in group DS.A549 cells were exposed to γ irradiation (2 Gy) for 4 h in group R.A549 cells were exposed to γ irradiation (2Gy) and to 2.5% sevoflurane for 4 h in group RS.The cells were cultured for another 24 h after the end of treatment,the colony formation was detected and the rate of colony formation was calculated by colony formation assay.Proliferation of A549 cells was measured by plate colony formation and MTF assay and the rate of proliferation inhibition was calculated.Cell apoptosis was detected with flow cytometer.The expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) and caspase-3 was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with group C,the rate of colony formation was significantly decreased,the rate of proliferation inhibition and percentage of apoptotic cells were increased,XIAP expression was down-regulated and caspase-3 expression was up-regulated in groups S,D,DS,R and RS (P ＜ 0.05).The rate of colony formation was significantly lower,the rate of proliferation inhibition and percentage of apoptotic cells were higher,XIAP expression was lower and caspase-3 expression was higher in group DS than in groups S and D,and in group RS than in groups S and R (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Sevoflurane can enhance cisplatin and γ ray-induced inhibition of growth of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells,and downregulation of XIAP expression and up-regulation of caspase-3 expression may be involved in the mechanism.

Objective To evaluate the effect of curcumin on spinal inflammatory factor in rats with diabetic neuropathy. Methods Diabetic neuropathy was induced by intraperitoneal injection with 1% STZ (60 mg/kg) in sprague-dawley rats. These diabetic rats were randomly allocated to diabetic group (D group, n=10) and curcumin group ( C group , n = 10 ) . Another 10 age-matched normal rats served as controlled group ( N group , n = 10 ) . 28 days after STZ injection, the rats in C group received daily intragastric administration of curcumin (200 mg/kg) whereas those in D group received the same volume of normal saline for 2 weeks. Caudal vein blood glucose levels at T1( before STZ injection)and at T2-T8(2、7、14、21、28、35、42 days after STZ injection)from all rats were detected. Responses to the mechanical stimulus were measured with von Frey filament, and paw withdraw threshold (PWT) was recorded at T1 and at T3 to T8. At T8,the rats were killed and lumbar segments of spinal cord were removed to detect TNF-αand IL-6 content. Results Compared to N group, rats in both C and D group showed hyperglycemia at T2 to T8 (P<0.05) and lower PWT at T4~ 8 (P < 0.01). Compared to D group, C group showed higher PWT at T7,8(P<0.05). Both D and C group showed higher levels of blood sugar at T2 ~ 8 than that at T1 (P < 0.05). C group showed higher PWT at T7,8 than that at T6(P<0.05). Compared to N group,spinal TNF-αand IL-6 content increased in both D and C groups (P<0.05). Compared to D group, C group had reduction of TNF-αand IL-6 concentration (P < 0.05). Conclusion Curcumin can attenuate diabetic neuropathic pain on rats probably by reducing inflammatory factor in spinal cord.