OBJECTIVE: To establish Caco-2 (a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line) cell monolayer model and the standard operation procedure for studying and assessing intestinal absorption of chemical components of traditional Chinese medicine. METHODS: Caco-2 cell monolayer model was established and evaluated by morphology feature using scanning electron microscope, inverted microscope and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) assay. Additionally, the model was further tested for the activity of alkaline phosphatase and the apparent permeability (Papp) of standard compounds, i.e. propranolol and atenolol, which were the control substances for high and poor transcellular transport marker, respectively. RESULTS: The integrality of cell monolayer, cell differentiation (reflected by expression of alkaline phosphatase and cell monolayer morphology), and the Papp value of standard compounds in the established Caco-2 cell model were satisfactory. All parameters tested were in good agreement with those reported in the literature. CONCLUSION: The established Caco-2 cell model can be used to study the intestinal absorption of orally administrated chemical components of traditional Chinese medicine and their absorption mechanism.

Objective To determine the expression of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER-2) in breast cancer and its correlation with Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α). Methods We used SABC method to detect the expression of HER-2 and TNF-α in 112 cases of primary breast cancer, and analyzed the association of HER-2 expression with clinicopathological features and TNF-α expression. Results The positive expression rate of HER-2 in breast cancer was 35.71% (40/112), of which, the expression rate was 35.05% (34/97) in 97 invasive tubic breast cancer, and 33.33% (2/6) in invasive lobular breast cancer,25.00% (1/4) in mucinous carcinoma, and 50. 00% (2/4) in intraductal carcinoma. There was no significant correlation between HER-2 and any clinicopathological features of primary breast cancer ( P ＞ 0. 05 ). The expression of HER-2 in breast cancer had no signiciant association with TNM stage, age, age of menarche,menopause, gravidity, parity and family history of cancer ( Ps ＞ 0. 05 ), The positive rate of TNF-α was 23.61% (17/72) when HER-2 was negative, whereas the positive rate of TNF-α was 52. 50% (21/40) when HER-2 was positive. The expression of HER-2 was signiciantly positively correlated with the expression of TNF-α (r = 0. 881, P ＜ 0. 05 ). Conclusion HER-2 expression had a positive correlation with TNF-α in breast cancer,but the specific mechanism is still unclear.

Objective To study the expression of tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-a) and correlation with TNF-a in breast cancer. Methods We used SABC method to detect the expression of TNF-a in 112 cases of primary breast cancer, and analysis the relationship between TNF-α with histologic grades and ER. Results The positive expression rate of TNF-α in breast cancer was higher than those of normal tissues and lobular hyperplasia of the breast (X2 =8.573, P =0.014). There was no significant correlation between histologic grades and TNF-α (X2 =1.304, P =0.521). TNF-a had a positive correlation with ER in breast cancer (X2=11.949, P =0.001). Conclusion The positive expression rate of TNF-α in breast cancer was higher than those of normal tissues and lobular hyperplasia of the breast.TNF-α had a positive correlation with ER in breast cancer, but the exact mechanism is unclear.