Objective Rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were used to investigate the secretory state of pancreas and the expression of insulin receptor (IR). Methods NAFLD rat model was reproduced, and then the structure of pancreatic tissue, secretory states of ? and ? cells (serum, tissue) and the expression of IR were examined and determined by means of HE staining, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. Results In all experimental groups, the structure of pancreatic tissue showed no obvious change; the blood sugar level tended to rise. The insulin level in serum began to elevate obviously at 4th week (P≤0.01), while the insulin content in tissue began to increase at 6th week (P≤0.01), and distributed mainly in the middle part of the pancreas with a tendency of elevation along with the time. The content of glucagon in pancreatic tissue began to increase at 8th week (P≤0.01), and reached the peak at 12th week. The expression of IR in tissue began to decrease at 6th week (P≤0.01), and then tended to be stable after 8th week. Conclusions In NAFLD, there was changes in secretory state of pancreas with the accompaniment of insulin resistance. There was a tendency of elevation of levels of insulin both in serum and pancreatic tissue, but the time of expression was different. The expression of glucagen shows an increase tendency, while the decrease of IR might be the crucial cause of insulin resistance in NAFLD.

Objective To study the changes in serum endotoxin level of the patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and the relationship between endotoxin and serum biochemical parameters. Methods Clinical data of 63 cases PBC patients confirmed by liver puncture biopsy were retrospectively studied. The clinical features, results of laboratory tests, pathological findings of all the 63 patients were analyzed. Endotoxin level was determined by limulus amebocyte lysate test in the serum obtained from the 63 cases of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, and then compared with that of 30 healthy individuals. Results The sex ratio (male to female) of PBC patients was 1 to 8, and the mean age was 43.8 years. The prevalent complaints were jaundice and fatigue. 70.3% patients showed AMA positive. The levels of ?-glutamyltransferase (r-GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin in the serum were markedly elevated in the majority of the patients. Compared with the early stage, the levels of ALT and AST declined slightly during the advanced stage (P

Objective The key points in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition ( EMT) procedure include the downregula-tion of epithelial protein (E cadherin) and the upregulation of cell activity and cell matrix generation .The aim of this study was to es-tablish a method for primary culture and identification of mouse renal tubular epithelial cells and to explore whether the activation of C3aR can induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in mouse primary renal epithelial cells . Methods Murine renal tubular seg-ments were used for primary cell culture .Immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence staining were used to identify the renal tubular epithelial cells.The experiment groups included control group , five different concentrations of C3aR agonist groups (0.1, 1, 100, 500, and 2000 ng/mL), and three different time-point groups.The mRNA levels of E-cadherin,α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and colla-gen I in renal tubular epithelial cells were detected by Real-time PCR; the protein of E-cadherin, α-SMA were detected by Western blot.The cytoskeleton of epithelial cells was observed by phalloidin staining . Results Compared with the control group , the protein expression of E-cadherin deceased (0.950±0.901 vs 0.650±0.221) and the expression of α-SMA (1.380±0.062 vs 1.600±0.103) and collagen I increased in C3aR agonist group (500 ng/mL, after 48 hours) (P<0.05).In addition, the association between these changes and C3aR agonists was presented in a dose-and time-dependent man-ner, respectively.The cytoskeleton staining showed that treatment of renal tubular epithelial cells with C 3aR agonists induced the formation of actin stress fibers in a time-dependent manner . Conclusion The method for primary culture and identification of mouse renal tubular epithelial cells were successfully established .The activation of C3aR could induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in mouse primary renal epithelial cells , which plays an essential role in the de-velopment of renal fibrosis .Moreover , this study indicated that C 3aR may become a new therapeutic target in kidney diseases .

Objective To investigate the value of liver function indexes(AApea index) in evaluation of chronic hepatitis pathohistological grading.Methods The biochemical tests and histopathological data of 800 patients who underwent liver biopsy with step discriminant screen,serum ALT,TBil,AST,A/G,EP,PA,and ALB were assayed.A liver function index(AApea index) was calculated according to these biochemical tests,and compared with histopathological data in each patient.Results The AApea index had a significantly positive correlation with the histological inflammatory grading,fibrosis staging,and severe degree(correlation coefficient were 0 559,0 545 and 0 529 respectively,P

Objective To explore the effect of elbow release and debridment with arthroscopy for elbow malfunction. Methods The study was carried out on 15 patients (male 11, female 4; age 21-63 years old, average 40.1 years old) with the use of arthroscopy to brisement accretion and articular capsule from August 2001 to December 2003. The mean course was 55.2 months (range, 8-24 months). The flexion angle of joint preopration was 15?-60?, average 30.4?, the extension angle was -80?--20?, average -51.2?. The diagnosis was osteophyma and liberum in 4. The old fracture of radius capitulum was in 2; the old fracture of ulnar olecranon in 2; the old fracture of condyle of humerus in 3; degeneration in 4. The brachial plexus anesthesia,the elbow hung to traction, interna and extra-pathway, to cut synovium and accretion fibers with shver, removal liberum and milling osteophyma, meanwhile brisement articular capsule. Pathology manifestation in arthroscopy: there were a lot hyperemia synovium and fiber accretion. There was cartilage exfoliation in 8, hyperplasy and liberum in 5, ossification of cicatricle in 2. The motion range of elbow was reexamined, if the extension function was restricted, release was performed on anterior soft tissue and capsule. If the flexion function was restricted, release was carried out on posterior capsule via posterior straight approach(3 cm supra point of olecranon). Results All patients recovered daily life and occupation postoperative 7 to 14 days. Transient ulnar nerve paralysis occurred postoperatively in one case, which recovered three months later. There were no blood vessel and nerve injury. The mean follow-up period was 14.1 months (range, 7-20 months). At the final follow-up, the flexion of joint post operation was 70?-120?, to improve average 60.5?; the extension of joint post operation was -20?--5?, to improve average 37.6?. In accordance with HSS scoring system, excellent 7, good 5, fail 3. Conclusion Using of arthroscopy to release elbow joint have many advantages such as less trauma, quick recovery and less sequela. The application in release with arthroscopy is a good way for elbow malfunction.

Objective To explore the effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) on heart and its conduction system in SARS patients. Methods Six specimens of heart tissue and one specimen of heart condunction system from patients who died from SARS were studied histologically, and by histochemical and in situ hybridization examinations. Results The pathological changes showed that a part of cardiomyocytes manifested slight vacuolar degeneration, atrophy and cytoplasmic lysis, stromal edema, mild mononuclear infiltration, and vasculitis. SARS-CoV was identified within some cardiomyocytes and specialized cardiomyocytes which belonged to the conduction system of the heart by in situ hybridization in combination with Macchiavello's viral inclusion stain. Conclusions The results showed that SARS-CoV could invade not only cardiomyocytes, but also the specialized cells of heart conduction system, thus resulting in mild viral myocarditis-like pathological changes. The results provided the evidence in explaining the clinical manifestations of cardiac dysfunction in patients with SARS.

Objective To explore the significance of cellular apoptosis induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome cronovirus (SARS-CoV) in the pathogenesis of SARS. Methods TdT-mediated biotinylated-dUTP nick end ladelling method (TUNEL), and the double immunochemical staining with cytokeratin and CD3, CD8, CD20 and CD68 monoclonal antibodies were used to study the cellular apoptosis in tissue specimens from six patients who died from SARS. Meanwhile, the expression of Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), P53 and Bcl-2 proteins was detected by immunohistochemical method. Results The number of cellular apoptosis was obviously increased in multiple organs from the six patients died from SARS. The cellular apoptosis occurred predominantly in cytokeratin-positive pneumoncytes, terminal bronchiolar epithelium, CD3 + and CD8 + lymphocytes, as well as a part of CD20 + lymphocytes and CD68 + macrophages. Fas protein was mainly expressed in the infiltrated mononuclear cells, while FasL was chiefly expressed in SARS-CoV target cells, especially in the apoptotic cells. In the lung and immune organs, down-regulation of P53 and Bcl-2 expression was found. Conclusion The occurrence of increased and rapid cell apoptosis induced by SARS-CoV might be the main cause of the injuries to the lung and immune system. That the activated lymphocytes which expressed Fas and FasL attack SARS-CoV target cells might be the underlying mechanism of cell apoptosis in SARS. Down-expression of Bcl-2 and P53 proteins might also participate in cell apoptosis induced by SARS-CoV.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Fufangbiejiaruanganpian(FFBJRGP) treating liver fibrosis. Methods Needle biopsies before and after treatment with FFBJRGP were done in 65 patients with chronic viral hepatitis B, and the liver tissues were studied with Ishak scoring system to evaluate the effects of treatment. The activation, proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in the liver specimens were determined by using the double immunohistochemical staining of in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labelling method (TUNEL) and smooth muscle actin (SMA). Results Compared with the specimens before treatment, the stages of liver fibrosis and histological activity grades in liver tissues were significantly improved after treatment with FFBJRGP for 6 months (mean value: P

Objective To study the effect of the traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, Fufangbiejiaruanganpian (FFBJRGP), in an experimental model of hepatic fibrosis and its pharmacodynamics. Methods An experimental model of hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in rat was reproduced, and FFBJRGP was given in high, moderate, and low dosage for 0, 1, 3 and 6 months respectively. Six months after the treatment, matrix metalloproteinase MMP-2, MMP-13, MT-MMP-1, MT-MMP-2 and their inhibitor TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, total extracellular matrix and collagen I, Ⅲ and Ⅳ, and active hepatic stellate cells in the fibrotic livers were qualitatively and quantitatively examined at the protein and/or mRNA expression levels by using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, image analysis and Chevallier's scoring system. Meanwhile, enzyme-degrading activities of MMP-2 and MMP-13 were assessed with gelatin or collagen substrate zymography respectively. Results Compared with the control group, in which rats with hepatic fibrosis were not treated with FFBJRGP, the histological examination of rat livers in the treatment groups showed that the total scores of hepatic fibrosis in treatment groups with varions dosage were significantly decreased 3,6 months after the treatment and 3,6 months after the termination of treatment (P

Objective To explore the mechanism of fibrosis in autoimmune hepatitis(AIH). Methods By using synaptophysin (SYN) as a new marker for hepatic stellate cells (HSCs),HSCs,collagen I,collagen IV,and MT-MMP-1 were detected by immunohistochemistry,and the expressions of MT-MMP-1 and TIMP-1 mRNA were assessed by in situ hybridization in liver tissues obtained by needle biopsy from 36 AIH patients. Results The HSCs were observed in the portal tracts,fibrotic septa and lobules of AIH liver tissues where inflammation was active,especially in the interface of inflammatory and non-inflammatory areas. The number of HSCs increased in proportion to the increase in histoligical active index (HAI,Knodell),while the deposition of Col I and Col IV were increased with increase in hepatic fibrosis stages (Knodell). MT-MMP-1 and its mRNA were mainly expressed in mesenchymal cells which were distributed in the areas of interface of inflammation and borders of fibrotic septa. It was also observed in a few hepatocytes. The expression of MT-MMP-1 was parallel to collagen IV distribution,and increased with advancement of HAI and fibrosis stages,reaching the peak at S4-5 stage. In addition,the expression of TIMP-1 mRNA was similar to that of MT-MMP-1 mRNA. Conclusions The results of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization suggested persistant active inflammation,triggering the activation and proliferation of HSC,and the resultant deposition of extracellular matrix such as collagen IV and I might be one of pathogenetic mechnisms of hepatic fibrosis in AIH. The increased expression of MT-MMP-1 in liver tissues of AIH in parallel with the advancement fibrotic stages also suggested that the relative lower level of ECM degeneration due to metalloproteinase suppression might be another reason for fibrogenesis and development of fibrosis in AIH. In addition,it was shown that synaptophysin was another good marker for HSC.