Background The sex hormones plays an important role in the incidence of dry eye,especially for the regulation of function.However,the effects of sex hormones on lacrimal gland epithelial cells are below understand.Objective This study was to investgate the effects of estradiol and testosterone on the apoptosis of lacrimal gland cells induced by H2O2.Methods The lacrimal gland tissue was obtained from 2- or 3-month-old clean male New Zealand rabbits and the lacrimal gland epithelial cells were cultured in vitro using esplant culture method.The cells were identified by pan cytokeratin antibodies with immunocytochemistry.lacrimal gland epithelial cells were incubated in the 96 well plate at the density of 5 × l04 cells/ml for 44 hours.Estradiol or testosterone with the concentrations of 1 × 10-5,1 × 10-6,1 × 10-7,1 × 10-8 mol/L were added into the medium for 24 hours respectively and 1× 10-4 mol/L H2O2 treated the cells for 1 hour to induce the apoptosis in experimental groups.The cells treated by only 1 × 10-4 mol/L H2O2 were used as apoptotic control group,and the cells cultured by regular method were used as blank control group.The cell viability in different groups was detected using MTT at 570 nm ( A570 ),and the apoptotic rates of the cells were assayed using Annexin V/PI double staining.This use and maintain of experimental animals followed the Regulation for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results The cultured cells showed the irregular polygon in shape,and about 80％ cells was positive response for cytokeratin.MTT assay showed that the lower A570 values were detected in the H2O2-induced group,various concentrations of estradiol or testosterone groups compared with blank control group (P＜0.01 ).The A570 values in 1 × 10-5,1 × 10-6,1 × 10-7 mol/L estradiol groups or 1 × 10-6 mol/L testosterone group were significantly higher than ones of H2 O2-induced group (P＜0.01 ).Compared with corresponding concentrations of testosterone groups,the A570values in various concentrations of estradiol groups were elevated( P＜0.01 ).The apoptosis rates at the early and later phase were significantly declined in both estradiol group and testosterone group in comparison with H2 O2-induced group (P ＜ 0.01,P＜ 0.05 ),and those in estradiol group were lower than the testosterone group( P＜0.01,P＜0.05 ).Conclusions Estradiol and testosterone suppress the apoptosis of lacrimal gland cells induced by H2O2,and the stronger effect is found in estrogen.The inhibition of estrogen on lacrimal gland cell apoptosis show a dose-dependent manner to some extent.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the molecular mechanism of inhibitory effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza Injection (SMI) coordinated with dexamethasone (DXM) on allergic airway inflammation in asthmatic rats.

METHODSForty SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups equally: the normal group, the asthma model group, the DXM group, the SMI group and the DXM + SMI group, they were treated with correspondant herbal medicines. Pathologic changes of lung tissue were obseved with HE stain, count of WBC and eosinophil (Eos) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were estimated and the expressions of interleukin-13 (IL-13) and Eotaxin in lung tissue were measured by RT-PCR and SP method of immunohistochemistry assay.

RESULTSThere was moderate inflammation in lung tissue in the SMI group, and mild inflammation in the DXM + SMI and the DXM group, which was similar to that in the normal group. Compared with the asthma model group, Eos and WBC count in BALF and the expression of IL-13 and Eotaxin in the lung tissue were significantly lower in the three treated groups (P < 0.05), particularly in the DXM + SMI group, showing a significant difference as compared with the other two groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Additionally, IL-13 expression was positively correlated with Eotaxin expression (r = 0.92, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSMI could inhibit the expression of IL-13 and Eotaxin in the lung of asthmatic rats, showing inhibitory effects synergistic with DXM on airway inflammation.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Chemokine CCL11 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Eosinophils ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Interleukin-13 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the polymorphisms of cluster of differentiation 14(CD14)gene promoters and explore whether such polymorphisms are associated with the susceptibility to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS) in Chongqing population.

METHODSThe single nucleotide polymorphisms of the promoter region of CD14 gene at position -1145 and -159 were detected using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method in 106 patients with severe chest trauma, among whom 47 were with MODS.

RESULTSTrauma patients carrying G allele tended to have a higher risk of MODS than those carrying A allele at position-1145, the MODS scores in trauma patients carrying G allele were significantly higher than those carrying A allele (P=0.217 for dominant effect and P=0.037 for recessive effect), and the MODS scores in trauma patients carrying T allele were significantly higher than those carrying C allele at position -159 (P=0.048 for dominant effect and P=0.198 for recessive effect). The genotypes of CD14 gene at positions -1145 and -159 were significantly correlated with the MODS scores (P=0.043,P=0.046). Compare with single-point mutation, simultaneous two-point mutation had significantly higher risk of MODS (Pü0.01), while the difference of MODS scores showed no statistical significance (P=0.239).

CONCLUSIONThe polymorphisms of CD14 gene promoters are associated with MODS after severe chest trauma in Chongqing population.

Adult ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; genetics ; Male ; Multiple Organ Failure ; etiology ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Thoracic Injuries ; complications

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of high-dose microbubbles induced by high mechanical index myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) on vascular permeability and its recovery time in rats.

METHODSThirty male Wistar rats were randomized into 4 MCE groups (groups A-D) and a control group. In the MCE groups, Evans blue was injected at 10 s before MCE (A), immediately after the end of MCE (B), and at 5 min (C) and 20 min after the end of MCE (D). In the control group, the microbubbles and Evans blue were injected at the end of a 5-min ultrasound exposure. All the rats were sacrificed 5 min after Evans blue injection, and the content of Evans blue in the myocardium and the percentage of Evans blue leakage area were determined.

RESULTSThe percentage of Evans blue leakage area in groups A, B and C were significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), while the percentage was similar between group D and the control group (P>0.05). Evans blue contents in groups A and B were significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), but groups C and D showed comparable contents with the control group E (P>0.05). No significant changes of the heart rates and premature beat number were observed during and after MCE in these groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONHigh mechanical index MCE and a high contrast dose may induce increased microvascular leakage in rats, and the vascular permeability can recover in 20 min after MCE.

Animals ; Capillary Permeability ; drug effects ; Contrast Media ; pharmacology ; Coronary Vessels ; physiopathology ; Echocardiography ; Male ; Microbubbles ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors of mortality in patients with severe chest trauma (SCT).

METHODSThe clinical data of 777 SCT [abbreviated injury scale (AIS) ≥3] patients who were treated in the Chongqing Emergency Medical Center from January 2006 to April 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to explore 15 possible mortality-related risk factors.

RESULTSSeven factors were found to be correlated with the mortality of SCT: age, hemorrhagic shock, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), pulmonary infection, abdominal organ injury, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, and thorax AIS score. Among them five factors were the independent factors that might increase the mortality of SCT: hemorrhagic shock (B=1.710, OR=1.291, P=0.001), MODS (B=3.453, OR=1.028, P<0.001), pulmonary infection (B=2.396, OR=10.941, P<0.001), abdominal organ injury (B=1.542, OR=1.210, P=0.005), and thorax AIS score ≥4 (B=0.487, OR=1.622, P<0.001). Two factors showed protective effects: age ≤60 years (B=-0.035, OR=0.962, P=0.01) and GCS score ≥12 (B=-0.635, OR=0.320, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONSAge, disease severity, and complications (hemorrhagic shock, MODS, and pulmonary infection) are independent risk factors of the mortality of SCT. Effective treatment programs targeting these risk factors may improve the outcomes of SCT patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Thoracic Injuries ; mortality ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the drag-reducing effect of polyethylene oxide (PEO) on the velocity of red blood cells in rat cremaster microcirculation.

METHODSBlood samples were collected from 6 Wistar male rats (100-110 g) via the post-orbital venous plexus. The red blood cells were separated by centrifugation and labeled by fluorescinisothiocyate (FITC). After successful establishment of cremaster model, the labeled red blood cells were injected into the jugular vein, and the microcirculation was observed and recorded under fluorescence microscope. The hemodynamic parameters and microcirculation video was recorded every 4 min since 4 min before PEO or normal saline injection. Both PEO (10 ppm) and normal saline was injected into the same rat in random sequence at a constant rate of 3.5 ml/h for 20 min followed by observation for another 20 min. The velocity of the labeled-red blood cells was determined by IPP 6.0 software.

RESULTSCompared with normal saline, PEO significantly increased the velocity of the red blood cells in the rat cremaster microcirculation (498.7-/+182.89 microm/s vs 773.54-/+308.27 microm/s, P=0.012). No significant changes in the heart rate and arterial blood pressure were observed during the experiment (P=0.836, P=0.420).

CONCLUSIONPEO at an extremely low concentration can significantly increase the velocity of the red blood cells in rat cremaster microcirculation and produces no significant impact on heart rate and arterial blood pressure.

Animals ; Blood Flow Velocity ; drug effects ; Male ; Microcirculation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Muscle, Smooth ; blood supply ; Polyethylene Glycols ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Testis

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of polyethylene oxide (PEO) solution at different concentrations on abdominal aortic blood flow and vascular resistance in rats and evaluate the safety and drag-reducing effect of PEO solution.

METHODSThirty-two rats were anesthetized and randomly divided into 4 groups. An ultrasonic flow probe was deployed on the abdominal aorta (5 mm above the common iliac artery) to measure the blood flow. The carotid artery pressure, iliac artery pressure, iliac vein pressure, central venous pressure (CVP) and ECG were also monitored. Saline or different concentrations of PEO [(1x10(-6)(low), 1x10(-5)(middle) and 5x10(-5)(high) g/ml)] were injected in the 4 groups of rats through the caudal vein at a constant rate of 5 ml/h for 20 min, and the changes of the vascular resistance was observed. RESULTS After injections of 1x10(-6) and 1x10(-5) g/ml PEO, the abdominal aortic flow increased significantly (P<0.05) while the vascular resistance was reduced (P(low)=0.052, P(middle)<0.001) as compared to those in the saline control group. Following the injection with 5x10(-5) g/ml PEO, the abdominal aortic flow increased to a threshold in the initial 4 min, after which it rapidly decreased to approach the baseline levels despite continuous infusion. Blood pressure remained stable after the injections except for 5x10(-5) g/mlPEO injection, which resulted in a reduction of the blood pressure by about 10 mmHg (P=0.014). The heart rate and CVP both underwent no significant changes following the injections.

CONCLUSIONThe drag-reducing effect of PEO is closely related to its concentration, and compared with 1x10(-6) g/ml, 1x10(-5) g/ml PEO more effectively increases the blood flow and decreases the resistance. The effectiveness and safety of EPO are attenuated at a concentration higher than 5x10(-5) g/ml.

Animals ; Aorta, Abdominal ; physiology ; Blood Flow Velocity ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Male ; Polyethylene Glycols ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vascular Resistance ; drug effects