Objective To investigate the effect of COX-2 in the DSS-induced UC mouse model and the effects of probiotics in the pathogenesis of UC. Methods DSS-induced UC mouse model was used in the study. A total of 60 mice were divided into 6 groups (Blank control group, DSS model group, Saline group, SASP group, Lactovacillus group and Bifidobactefia group). After 8 days, all mice were sacrificed. Histological injury score and pathological change and COX-2 in mucous of colon membrane were evaluated. Results The stages and histological changes were obviously improved and the expression of COX-2 in the colonic mueosa of mouse with UC was decreased when using probiotics and SASP. Conclusions Lactobacillns and Bifidobacterla can decrease the expression of COX-2 in the colonic mucosa of mouse with UC. The effect has no difference between SASP and probiotic group.

Objective To investigate the effect of caspase-2 and caspase-3 in cisplatin-induced apoptosis in cisplatin-resistant and-sensitive human ovarian cancer cell lines, A2780/DDP and A2780. Methods A2780 and A2780/DDP cells were incubated with various doses(0,5,10,20,40?M) of cisplatin for 24,48 and 72 hours, respectively. The protein expressions of caspase-2 and caspase-3 in the ovarian cancer cell lines were detected by immunohistochemical technology. The apoptotic rate of the ovarian cancer cell lines was determined by TUNEL. Results After cisplatin treated, apoptotic rates of both 2780 and A2780/DDP cell lines increased in time-and dose-dependent manners (P

Objective To investigate the effect of emodin on insulin resistance and leptin in rat with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and to explore the mechanisms of emodin treating NAFLD.Methods Forty two Spraque-Dawley rats were numbered according to their body weights,and were randomly divided into two groups(group A:8 rats; group M:34 rats) by random number table method.The rats in group A was fed with ordinary diets and Group M with improved high fat diets.Four weeks later,when hepatic steatosis in group M were identified,the remaining 32 rats in group M were numbered according to their body weights,and were divided randomly into 4 subgroups (group M1,M2,M3 and M4) by random number table method,with 8 rats in each subgroup.The feeding of all rats was unchanged.The rats in group M2,M3 and M4 were separately intervened with emodin by low doses,emodin by high doses and metformin.Emodin and metformin were dissolved by 0.5％ sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.The rats in group A and M1 was fed with 0.5％ sodium carboxymethyl cellulose by gavage.Four weeks later,all rats were executed.The serum glucose was measured with automatic biochemical analyzer.The serum insulin and leptin were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA).Insulin resistance was estimated by insulin resistance index of homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitivity index (ISI).Liver biopsy tissues were treated by Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to evaluate the degree of steatosis and inflammation of liver.Results Compared with group M1,the low and high dosage emodin improved insulin resistance which was represent by serum insulin,HOMA-IR,and ISI(P ＜0.05,P ＜0.01).The serum leptin in group M1 was higher than that in group A (P ＜0.01).The serum leptin in groups M2 and M3 was lower than that in group M1(P ＜0.05,P ＜0.01).Correlation analysis showed that the serum leptin was positively correlated with HOMA-IR(r =0.746,P ＜0.05),and negatively correlated with ISI(r =-0.731,P ＜ 0.05)in group M1.Compared with group M1,the low and high dosage emodin together had the respective effect of ameliorating steatosis(P ＜0.05,P ＜0.01),and they also reduced the hepatic inflammatory activity(P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Reducing serum leptin and improving insulin resistance may be the mechanisms of emodin treating NAFLD.

Objective To analyze the expressions of p27 and PCNA and cell apoptosis in ulcerative colitis and colon cancer.Methods The expressions of p27 and proliferation cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)proteins in colorectal cancer,ulcerative colitis and normal colon were analyzed by StrptAvidin-Biotin Enzyme Complex immunohistochemical methods.The apoptosis was detected using terminal uridine deoxynucleiotide nick end labeling(TUNEL) histochemistry.Results The level of PCNA expression in colorectal cancer and ulcerative colitis was markedly higher than that in normal colon(P

Objective To observe and analyze the effect of B. Adolescentis and L. Acidophilus on the proportion of Th cell Th1/Th2 in peripheral blood of UC-mice in acute stage and recovery stage. Method 40 BABL/c mice were induced by 3% DSS water for 7 clays free drinking and then with distilled water for 10 days. They were randomly allocated in 4 groups: NS group, SASP group, BF0624 group and LT0637 group, also the fifth group-10 normal animals. The blood of mice were collected by removing their eyes at day 8 and day 18, and then the mononuclear cells were iso]atecl. The proportion of Th1/Th2 was analyze through flow eytometry,hy labeling the specific antibody ot Th cellular membrane with the CD4 antibody, and the cytoplastie antigen of Thl or Th2 with IIA antibody or IF'N-γ antibody. Result The proportion of Th1/Th2 in normal mouse was 0. 84 -0. 94,and it raised up in DSS-mice at both acute stage and recovery stage. It decreased unequally after 7 or 17 days'B, adoleseentis, L. Acidophilus and SASP treatment, but that of all three groups were lower than NS group (2.21±0. 83). Even the proportion got close to the normal animals after 17 days'L. Acidophilus -treated. Conclusion The proportion of Thl/Th2 increased at the acute stage and recovery stage of DSS-mice. Both B. Adoleseentis and L. Acidophilus had more effective than SASP on decreasing the proportion of Th1/Th2 at two stages,ospecially L. Acidophilus.

Objective To compare the clinical features and endoscopic findings of Crohn's disease(CD) and intestinal tuberculosis(ITB) in order to differentiate CD from ITB. Methods The clinical and endoscopic data from 168 patients with CD and 156 patients with ITB between June 2003 and February 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Results The salient features of CD were male patients in predominance (male : female was 108 :60) and high incidence of colectomy (CD 33.3% vs ITB 10.9%, P<0.01). Diarrhea (66.1%), hematochezia (32.1%), perianal disease (16.1%), intestinal obstruction (28.0%) were more frequent in CD patients than in ITB patients (47.0%, 7.7%, 3.4%, 9.4% respectively, all P values<0.05). The salient features of ITB were night sweating, pulmonary tuberculosis, ascites, hyperglobulin, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the positive serum antibody to mycobacterium. The endoscopic examination showed that the fissure-shape ulcer, grid-shape ulcer, cobblestone sign and intestinal stricture were more frequent in CD patients than in ITB patients (all P values <0.05). Whereas the circular ulcer and involved ileocecal valve with fixed bouche shape were more common in ITB patients (P<0.05). Conclusions The clinical characteristics are different in CD and ITB patients. The endoscopic findings including fissure-shape ulcer, grid-shape ulcer, circular ulcer, cobblestone sign and the status of involved ileocecal valve are important in the differentiation of ITB from CD.

Objective To investigate the effects of B.adolescentis and L.acidophilus in treatment of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis(UC) in mice and their potential mechanisms. Methods Seventy-five BABL/C mice were randomly divided into control,saline (NS),B.adolescentis BF0624 treatment (B),L.acidophilus LT0637 treatment (L) and salicylazosulpha-pyridine treatment (S) groups.Except control group,the other four groups were received DSS to induce ulcerative colitis. The weight-loss,fecal trait and bleeding were recorded every day.Colonic length and histological scores were evaluated on day 3,5 and 7.The gene and protein expression of hot shock protein (HSP)70, glucocorticoid receptor (GR),interleukin (IL)-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected by Western blot and reverse polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively.Results B.adolescentis BF0624 and L.acidophilus LT0637 could relieve the inflammatory reaction of the experimental UC.The DAI scores were 1.84±0.4 in L group on day 3,which was lower than that in NS group (2.8±1.0).The DAI scores in all treatment groups were decreased on day 5.Compared with NS group[(8.1±0.6)cm ], the colon length on day 8 were (9.0±0.6)cm in B group,(9.35±0.6)era in L group and (8.8±1.1)cm in S group (P＜0.05).The colonic mucosa was improved pathohistologically in L group (6.0±1.0) on day 8.The expression of HSP70 and IL-10 in B and L groups were up-regulated and the expression of TNF-α was down-regulated.Conclusions Both B.adolescentis BF0624 and L.acidophilus LT0637 were effective in treatment of acute ulcerative colitis.The potential mechanism of two probiotics may be related with up-regulation of HSPT0 and IL-10 expressions and down-regulation of TNF-α expression.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential effect of NALP3 inflammasome on the occurrence and development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS: THP-1 macrophages were cultured for 24 h by palmitic acid at various concentrations. The THP-1 macrophages were pretreated with N-acetyl-cysteine at different doses for 24 h before the palmitic acid cultivation. ROS production was determined by flow cytometry. The expression of IL- 1β was detected by ELISA; the expressions of NALP3 protein and caspase-1 protein were detected by immunofluorescence; NALP3, ASC, and caspase-1 mRNA were measured by real-time PCR. RESULTS: Compared with the THP-1 macrophages without palmitic acid, the level of ROS, NALP3 protein and caspase-1 protein, and the expression of IL-1β were increased after palmitic acid treatment in a dose dependent manner (P<0.05). Compared with the THP-1 macrophages with palmitic acid (400 μmol/L), the level of NALP3 mRNA (P<0.05), the level of NALP3 protein and caspase-1 protein (P<0.05), the expression of IL-1β (P<0.05) were decreased after preadministration of N-acetyl-cysteine in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSION ROS induced by free fatty acid can regulate the activation of NALP3 inflammasome signaling pathway leading to the release of inflammatory cytokines. This pathway may be the possible mechanism of NASH.
Carrier Proteins ; metabolism ; Caspase 1 ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; chemistry ; Humans ; Inflammasomes ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Macrophages ; cytology ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVE: To understand the value of Child-Pugh (CP) classification and model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score for patients with cirrhosis and their prognosis by retrospectively analyzing the two methods in hemorrhage death and non-hemorrhage death in patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: A total of 72 patients who died of cirrhosis (the death group) were analyzed retrospectively, and the initial data in the hospital before death were collected. The initial information of the control group (88 patients) at the same time was also obtained. The death group was divided into two subgroups: esophagus varicosity burst massive hemorrhage death group and non-hemorrhage death group. RESULTS: MELD score and CP score of the death group (22.230±13.451, 10.264±2.028) were significantly higher than those of the control group (15.370±6.201, 9.318±1.644; P<0.05). The MELD score and CP score for the massive bleeding death group were close to those of the control group. There was significant difference between the non-hemorrhage death group and the control group. The ratio of patients with CP grade A and MELD scores<20 died for massive bleeding in the death group was more than 70%, and that of CP grade C and MELD scores ≥ 30 in the death group was higher. ROC surve analysis found the accuracy of short-term predication of survival by MELD score and CP classification was improved after eliminating the risk factors of hemorrage. CONCLUSION MELD and CP play a role in evaluating the state and prognosis of patients with cirrhosis. MELD score and CP classification predict the short-term survival efficiently on the premise of excluding the risk factors of esophagus and/or stomach bottom varicosity burst massive bleeding. CP and MELD scores are deficiencies, especially for low MELD score (<20) and CP level A patients. The prognostic accuracy may be improved when combining esophageal gastric fundal varices.
End Stage Liver Disease ; diagnosis ; mortality ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnosis ; mortality ; Prognosis ; ROC Curve ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of Novaferon on TNF-α production and expression of NF-κB mRNA in monocytes isolated from normal human peripheral blood and to provide theoretical basis for treatment of immunological diseases with Novaferon. METHODS: Monocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood in 30 healthy volunteers and divided into 5 groups: group A was blank control, group B was stimulated by LPS without Novaferon intervention, group C by LPS together with Novaferon intervention, group D by LPS before Novaferon intervention, which group E by LPS after Novaferon intervention. We detected the concentration of TNF-α after LPS stimulation and Novaferon intervention in the supernatant by ELISA and expression of NF-κB mRNA by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Novaferon inhibited TNF-α production by monocytes isolated from healthy volunteers induced by LPS in vitro in group D compared with group B [(1446.76±72.36) pg/mL vs (946.46±46.12) pg/mL, P<0.01], and the rate was 29.7%. There was no significant change in TNF-α concentration in group C and E compared with group B [(1446.76±72.36) pg/mL vs (1275.62±87.75) pg/mL, P>0.05; (1446.76±72.36) pg/mL vs (1383.62±86.96) pg/mL, P>0.05]. There was significant change in NF-κB mRNA expression in group D compared with group B (0.2829±0.0365 vs 0.4994±0.0604, P<0.01). There was no significant change in NF-κB mRNA expression in group C and group E compared with group B (0.4716±0.0616 vs 0.4994±0.0604, P>0.05; 0.4767±0.0600 vs 0.4994±0.0604, P>0.05). CONCLUSION Novaferon can suppress TNF-α secretion by monocytes induced by LPS in vitro, and it can affect the immunity function of monocytes, which may be associated with the downregulation of NF-κB mRNA expression in monocytes.
Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Monocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism