Objective To investigate the level of serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and its correlation with serum precollagen Ⅲ peptide (PⅢP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis. Methods Forty-four CHB patients (hepatitis B group), 44 patients with HBV-related cirrhosis (cirrhosis group) and 30 healthy controls (control group) were enrolled in this study. The venous blood was collected and MIF level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Correlations between MIF and PⅢP, TIMP-1 were analyzed in observed groups. Comparison between groups was done using t test. The correlations between MIF level and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBil), plasma thromboplastin antecedent (PTA), PⅢP and TIMP-1 were analyzed by rectilinear correlation. Results The levels of serum MIF, PⅢP and TIMP-1 in CHB group and cirrhosis group were all significantly higher than those in control group (t=12.87,5.28, 10.98,t=11.22,14.84,11.17;all P<0.05), while there were no significant differences between CHB group and cirrhosis group (t= -1.05,1.52,--2.07;all P>0.05). There was no correlation between MIF level and ALT, AST, TBil and PTA. MIF level in CHB patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive and high viral load were both higher than that in patients with HBeAg negative and low viral load. MIF level was both positively correlated with PⅢP level in CHB group and cirrhosis group (r=0. 603, P<0.05 and r=0. 415, P<0. 05, respectively). MIF level was also positively correlated with TIMP-1 level in CHB group (r=0. 458, P<0.05), while not correlated in cirrhosis group (r=0. 210, P>0.05). Levels of PⅢP and T1MP-1 were both correlated in CHB group and cirrhosis group (r=0. 849, P< 0.05 and r=0. 424, P<0.05, respectively). Conclusions The levels of serum MIF are significantly increased both in patients with CHB and cirrhosis. The early production of MIF might be related with viral replication, but not with liver function. MIF participates in formations of hepatitis, liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, which could reflect the degree of liver cirrhosis.

AIM: To investigate the primary culture method for coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMCs), and to establish the endoplasmic reticulum stress ( ERS) model in CASMCs of SD rats.METHODS:CASMCs were cultured by tissue explant method .The morphological characteristics were observed under optical micro-scope.The marker proteins of CASMCs , including α-SMA and SM-MHC, were identified by immunofluorescence tech-nique.The protein expression levels of BiP and CHOP , the marker molecules of ERS, were determined by Western blot . RESULTS:The spindle-shaped CASMCs climbed out from the edge of coronary artery tissues after 6 d, and formed the typical hill and valleygrowth pattern of CASMCs at 9~10 d.The result of immunofluorescence technique showed that α-SMA and SM-MHC were positively expressed .The results of Western blot showed that the protein expression of BiP and CHOP in TG ( 1 and 2 μmol/L ) treatment groups was increased compared with control group .Compared with control group, the protein expression of BiP and CHOP was significantly increased after 1 μmol/L TG treatment for 24 and 48 h. CONCLUSION:CASMCs can be successfully cultured by tissue explant method .ERS model of CASMCs was established by 1 μmol/L TG treatment for 24 h.

Objective To evaluate the changes of function of right ventricular using echocardiography after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect(ASD)and to study the feasibility and superiority of echocardiographic evaluation of right ventricular function. Methods In 70 patients with transcatheter closure of ASD,echocardio?graphic examinations were made different time intervals after the closure to calculate right cardiac morpnology and function. Results After closure ASD in different time intervals, the size of RAEDd1, RAEDd2, RVEDd1, RVEDd2, RVEDd3, Inferior Vena Cava and RIMP, RVEF, TAPSE and FAC were obviously decreased(P<0.01)between two groups. All events were obviously decreased compared precious function(P < 0.01)and the interaction of the time (P < 0.01). Conclusion The construction of right ventricular narrows gradually and the function recovers after transcatheter closure of ASD in a year and those who did not become worse.

AIM: To investigate alteration of inward re ctifier potassium current (I K1) in atrial myocytes and mRNA expression of gene Kir2.1 encoding I K1 in atrial myocardial tissue in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) compared to that with sinus rhythm (SR).METHODS: Single myocytes were isolated by enzymatic dissociation with the chunk method an d the ionic current was recorded using whole cell patch clamp technique. The sem i-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression of Kir2.1 in atrial myocardial tissue, and the g ene GAPDH was used as an internal control.RESULTS: (1) The I K1 density was increased in AF group at hyperpolarizing pot entials, at -120 mV the current densities was (-5.71?0.65) pA/pF in AF group (n=28 cells from 7 patients) and (-4.26?1.22) pA/pF in SR group (n=35 cells from 9 patients) (P0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The increase in I K1 at hyperpolarizing potentials may be related to th e atrial electrophysiological remodeling in chronic human AF. The increased I K1 density in atrial myocytes in AF group without alteration of Kir2.1 mRNA expression in atrial tissue suggests that I K1 may be mediated at post-transcriptional levels.

Objective To establish the data including anatomy and histology of main organs in Rongshui miniature pig (RMP).Methods F1 Rongshui miniature pigs with male and female (2 in each group) in 6 month old were used in this experiment.We measured body weights, dissected these pigs after anaesthesia, recorded total blood volume, total plasma volume, number of spine and dental formula, took main organs for photographs, and made histological sections observed and took photographs by microscope.Results We gained the photographs of main organs and histological sections, organ weights,organic coefficients and other basic data.Conclusion Basic anatomy and histology data of main organs in RMP were collected.

AIM:To investigate whether the association of connexin 43 ( Cx43 ) and L-type calcium channel involved in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation ( AF) .METHODS:The biochemical assays and whole-cell patch-clamp technique were used to study the expression of Cx43 in human atrial tissue.The co-localization of Cx43 and L-type calcium channel, and the regulation of L-type calcium current in atrial myocytes were investigated.RESULTS:The expression of Cx43 at mRNA and protein levels was decreased in human atrial tissues of AF patients.In cultured atrium-derived myocytes ( HL-1 cells) , knockdown of Cx43 significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of L-type calcium channelα1c subunit, as well as L-type calcium current.Co-localization of Cx43 with L-type calcium channel α1c subunit in mouse atrial myocytes was observed.CONCLUSION:The decrease in Cx43 is involved in the pathogenesis of AF, probably through reducing the L-type calcium current in atrial myoctyes by co-localization with L-type calcium channel, thus representing the potential pathogenesis in atrial fibrillation.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is mediated by disturbance of Ca²⁺ homeostasis. The store-operated calcium (SOC) channel is the primary Ca²⁺ channel in non-excitable cells, but its participation in agent-induced ER stress is not clear. In this study, the effects of tunicamycin on Ca²⁺ influx in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were observed with the fluorescent probe Fluo-4 AM. The effect of tunicamycin on the expression of the unfolded protein response (UPR)-related proteins BiP and CHOP was assayed by western blotting with or without inhibition of Orai1. Tunicamycin induced endothelial dysfunction by activating ER stress. Orai1 expression and the influx of extracellular Ca²⁺ in HUVECs were both upregulated during ER stress. The SOC channel inhibitor SKF96365 reversed tunicamycin-induced endothelial cell dysfunction by inhibiting ER stress. Regulation of tunicamycin-induced ER stress by Orai1 indicates that modification of Orai1 activity may have therapeutic value for conditions with ER stress-induced endothelial dysfunction.
Blotting, Western ; Calcium ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Endothelial Cells ; Homeostasis ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Tunicamycin ; Unfolded Protein Response