Objective To investigate the effect of Smad7 gene on the activation of rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in primary culture and on the regulation on gene expression of HSCs. Methods HSCs were isolated from male SD rats by collagenase perfusion of liver from portal vein and by 8.2% Nycodenz gradient centrifugation, and thereby transfected with AdSmad7 and AdGFP (control) respectively. The mRNA expression of transforming growth factor (TGF) ?1, Smad3 and Smad7 were measured by RT-PCR. Meanwhile, Smad7 and ?-smooth muscle actin (?-SMA) expressions were detected by immuno- cytochemistry. Results The expression of Smad7 mRNA in AdSmad7 group increased remarkably compared with TGF?1 control group, while the expression of Smad3 and TGF?1 mRNA remains unchanged. The expression of Smad7 protein was significantly higher in AdSmad7 group than that in other three groups. Accordingly, the expression of ?-SMA protein in the group of HSCs transfected with AdSmad7 was the lowest(P

Objectives To study the changes of gastrointestinal hormones in chronic constipation. Methods 17 outpatient chronic constipation patients, and 10 normal persons were respectively chosen as observation group and control group. Fasting blood samples were taken in all patients. The serum levels of somatostatin (SS) and substance P (SP) were tested using RIA method.Results The serum level of SS and SP in observation group were (120.57?27.84)pg/ml and (7.68?2.5)pg/ml respectively, significantly higher than that in control group (P