OBJECTIVE:To study the effect and thepossible mechanism of low molecular weight heparin(LMWH)on immunocytes' adhesion to fibroblast-like synovocytes(FLS)isolated from patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and to study LMWH'S possible anti-inflammatory effect on RA.METHODS:LMWH's interference on the adhesion of peripheral blood monouclear cells(PBMC)isolated from healthy volunteers to FLS of RA patients was determined by quantitative counting using flow cytometry.The expression of CYR61 in the in vitro cultured FLS of RA patients was detected using real-time PCR technology.RESULTS:When FLS culture system was added with PBMC,PBMC were obviously found to adhere to FLS,but the number of adhered PBMC decreased after LMWH treatment,which manifested as increase of deciduous PBMC,increased more with the increase of LMWH dose.There was a high expression of CYR61 in synovium tissue in RA patients.CONCLUSION:LMWH inhibited the adheresion of PBMC to FLS from RA patients in a dose-dependent manner,which might be attributed to its competitive combination with heparin sulfate sites on CYR61.

Objective: To observe the effects of acupuncture on synovial pathology, synovial mast cell degranulation and tryptase expression and to investigate the relationship between the functions of mast cells and effects of acupuncture on early adjuvant arthritis in rats. Methods: Forty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=16), untreated group (n=15) and acupuncture group (n=15). Adjuvant arthritis was induced by injection of 0.1 mL Freund's complete adjuvant in right hind limb footpad. Normal control group and untreated group received no acupuncture treatment, while rats in the acupuncture group were treated with sterilized disposable stainless steel needles inserted perpendicularly as deep as 2 to 3 mm at Xuanzhong (GB39), 6 mm at Shenshu (BL23) and 7 mm at Zusanli (ST36) for eight times (15 min each time) every two days. Setting the modeling day as the 0 day of the experiment, the body weight and paw volume of the rats were measured every three days from the 0 day. In the end, synovial tissues of the right hind ankles were sampled and made into paraffin sections. Then they were firstly stained with hematoxylin-eosin for observing synovial pathology to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on adjuvant arthritis, then stained with toluidine blue for observing the number and degranulation ratio of synovial mast cells and finally detected by immunohistochemical staining method to investigate the expression of tryptase in synovium. Results: Compared with the untreated group, the body weight of rats in the acpuncture group was increased significantly (P<0.05), while the paw volume decreased obviously (P<0.01). Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that acupuncture significantly inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration, synovial cell hyperplasia, and synovial fibroplasia in synovium of rats with adjuvant arthritis as compared with the untreated group (P<0.05). Toluidine blue staining showed that acupuncture could significantly diminish the numbers of total and degranulated mast cells in rats with adjuvant arthritis (P<0.01), which were significantly higher in the untreated group than in the normal control group (P<0.01). Showing by immunohistochemical staining, the expression of tryptase in synovium in the acupuncture group was decreased as compared with the untreated group (P<0.01). Analyzed by Spearman's bivariate correlation, the number of mast cells and degranulation ratio of mast cells were positively correlated with the pathological scores (r=0.837, P<0.01; r=0.634, P<0.01). Conclusion: Acupuncture can improve pathological condition of inflammatory synovium in rats with early adjuvant arthritis by inhibiting the function of synovial mast cells, which may play an important underlying role in the immunoregulation of acupuncture on adjuvant arthritis.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics,pathology,CT characteristics and targeted therapy of primary retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma treated at our institution during the past 20 years.Methods A retrospective review was performed among 11 patients of this disease.The main performances were hematuria,abdominal mass and abdominal pain.Non-enhanced CT scanning showed soft tissue density in all cases.Tri-phase enhanced scanning showed reinforcement in different degrees.Pathology results showed tissue necrosis.The pathology featured by routine HE and immumohistochemical staining.Results Surgical treatment was performed in all 11 patients.Postoperative pathology showed that median tumor diameter was 14.40cm.Spindle cell,cellular abnormity and mitotic figures could be seen through light microscope.During follow-up,3 cases recurrenced after 2 months,3 years and 5 years respectively.Conclusions Primary retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma might have a high fatality rate and high recurrence rate.The clinical and CT features are unapparent.Pathology diagnosis is reliable,surgery is necessary to prolong life and cure disease.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture plus oral administration ofZeling Guanjie Xiaozhong Heji in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) due to liver-kidney yin deficiency.Method Totally 126 patients with active RA due to liver-kidney yin deficiency were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 63 cases in each group. The control group was prescribed with orally taking Methotrexate tablets and Leflunomide tablets, while the treatment group was intervened by electroacupuncture plus oral administration ofZeling Guanjie Xiaozhong Heji in addition to the medications given to the control group. The Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) was evaluated before and after intervention, and the therapeutic efficacies were compared based on the criteria of the American College of Rheumatoid (ACR) and syndrome of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).Result The ACR total effective rate was 87.3% in the treatment group versus 65.1% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). The total effective rate based on TCM syndrome was 87.3% in the treatment group versus 73.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was a significant difference in comparing the DAS28 score between the two groups after intervention (P<0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture plus oral administration of Chinese medication and western medication is an effective approach in treating RA due to liver-kidney yin deficiency, and it can significantly enhance the therapeutic efficacy based on ACR20 and TCM syndrome.

Objective To evaluate the outcome of primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in treatment of stiff knee, and discuss the key points of operative technique and rehabilitation. Methods From February 2005 to April 2009, 23 patients with 34 stiff knees were treated with primary TKA. The study included 3 males (4 knees) and 20 females (30 knees), with the mean age of 56.9 years. Primary disease of the patients included rheumatoid arthritis (26 knees in 15 cases) and osteoarthritis (8 knees in 8 cases). Varus deformity was found in 10 knees (5°-15°), and valgus was found in 5 knees (5°-10°). Evaluations included preoperative and postoperative range of motion (ROM) measurement, hospital for special surgery knee score (HSS), blood loss, operative time and assessment of postoperative complications. Results All patients were followed up. The mean follow-up time was 32.2 (range, 24 to 40) months. At the final follow-up visit, the HSS score increased from 42.9±5.2 preoperatively to 85.7±4.3, the range of motion increased from 42.6°±5.7° preoperatively to 89.2°±10.5°. Sixteen knees in 12 cases underwent manipulation at 3 to 8 weeks postoperatively for unsatisfied ROM, but ROM was still less than 90° in 8 knees at the last follow-up. The average blood loss were (632.4±180.2) ml in first 24 hours (450-850 ml) and the operative time were (98.1±18.6) min (80-150 min). Deep venous thrombosis was found in 3 patients. All the symptoms relieved after anticoagulant therapy. Postoperative varus deformity was seen in one patient, but the function of knee was good. No revision was needed. Conclusion Primary total knee arthroplasty is reliable method in treatment of stiff knees. Sufficient soft tissue release during the operation, postoperative muscle strength exercise and essential manipulation are key points for satisfactory outcomes.

Objective:To analyse the biological function of anti-IL-6Rβ(gp130) monoclonal antibody and its regulatory effect on IL-6 signaling.Methods:Biological characteristics of anti-IL-6Rβ(gp130) mAb were assessed by Western blot analysis, capture ELISA and peptide ELISA .The phosphorylation of STAT 3 was tested by Western blot analysis in IL-6-stimulated U266/RA-FLS/RA-PBMC with or without anti-IL-6Rβ(gp130) mAb treatment.Results:3 strains of mouse anti-human gp130 mAb were with high affini-ty and different binding epitopes , the kaff of 10A1 was 2.62E-10.In U266, RA-PBMC and RA-SFMC, IL-6 signaling highly activated STAT3 which could be inhibited by anti-gp130 mAb.Conclusion: Anti-IL-6Rβ( gp130 ) mAb might have different binding epitopes and could affect IL-6 stimulated phosphorylation of STAT3, which provides a preliminary experiment for analyse the correlation of IL-6 signaling and RA .