Objective To explore the relationship among the expression level of MMP?13, AGG and Col?II in the chon?drocytes caused by nutritional deficiencies in rabbits. Methods 30 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into autolo?gous chondrocyte transplantation group (control group, n=10), nutrition block group (surgery group, n=10), and peripheral nutrition block group (sham surgery group, n=10). 4 weeks after treatment, the rabbits were sacrificed for undergoing the observations on general and histological level;real?time PCR assay was employed for testing the expression level of MMP?13, AGG and Col?II;cel?lular apoptosis percentage was observed through TUNEL stain. The relationship among the apoptosis level, cartilage cells histologi?cal Mankin score as well as the expression level of MMP?13, AGG and Col?II were analyzed. Results Based on the Mankin score, there was a statistic difference between surgery group and control group. On the other side, there were no statistic differenc?es between sham surgery group and control group. 4 weeks after treatment, surgery group presented a higher apoptotic percentage compared with control group;this value between sham surgery group and control showed no significant differences. There was an increased mRNA expression level of MMP?13 and a decreased mRNA expression level of AGG and Col?II in surgery group com?pared with control group;no statistic differences of all these values was found between sham surgery group and control group. His?tological Mankin score and apoptotic percentage presented positive correlation (r=0.922, P<0.001), the regression equation:Y=-0.548+0.404X, R2=0.844 (F=157.735, P<0.001); the mRNA expression level of MMP?13 and apoptotic percentage presented positive correlation (r=0.942, P<0.001), the regression equation:Y=0.951+0.116X, R2=0.883 (F=219.054, P<0.001). There was a nega?tive correlation between the mRNA expression level of MMP?13 and the mRNA expression level of AGG as well as Col?II (r=-0.956,-0.945, P<0.001). Conclusion Damage of cartilage cells causes the up?regulation of the MMP?13 expression which could ex?acerbate the degeneration of cells. It could induce the down?regulation of AGG and Col?II mRNA expression, which will cause the extracellular matrix synthesis disorder.

BACKGROUNDTo evaluate the effects and toxicities of topotecan combined with cisplatin in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

METHODSTwenty-six patients with SCLC diagnosed by pathologic or cytologic examination were treated with topotecan 1.25 mg/(m²*d) on days 1-5 and cisplatin 25 mg/(m²*d) on days 1-3. The chemotherapy was repeated every 21 days as a cycle.

RESULTSOut of 26 evaluable patients, 3 achieved complete response and 11 achieved partial response with an overall response rate of 53.8%. The response rates were 75.0% and 35.7% in 12 previously untreated patients and 14 patients with prior chemotherapy, respectively. In addition, one of eight refractory patients and two of five patients with brain metastasis got partial responses. The median survival period was 27 weeks and one-year survival rate was 38.5%. Myelosuppression was the major dose-limiting toxicity.

CONCLUSIONSTopotecan combined with cisplatin is effective for SCLC and it toxicity is tolerable.

Objective To explore the protective effect and mechanism of vitamin D combined with puerarin on liver fibrosis.Methods The rats were divided into normal control group (C),tetrachloromethone group (CCl4),vitamin D group (V),puerarin group(P) and vitamin D combined with puerarin group(V+P).After 8 weeks,the rats were sacrificed and blood and liver samples were collected.The level of blood hyaluronic acid(HA) was tested.The hydroxyproline(Hyp) level in the liver was measured.The liver paraffin sections were made and examined by the sirius red staining.The mRNA levels of collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ in the liver tissue were detected by RT-PCR,and the levels of NF-κB and TNF-α in the liver were detected by Western blot.Results The CCl4 group appeared obvious liver fibrosis.The liver fibrosis degree was significantly improved in the group V,P and V+P,the blood HA level and liver Hyp level were reduced.The mRNA levels of collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ as well as the protein levels of NF-κB and TNF-α in the liver were significantly decreased.Among them.The liver fibrosis improvement degree in the V+P group was most significant.Conclusion Vitamin D combined with puerarin can protect rat liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 and its mechanism may be related with reducing the activation of hepatic stellate cells(HSC) and decreasing the collagenous fibers secretion.