Objective To investigate the effect of sodium butyrate on the growth suppression and cellular differentiation of cultured SHG 44 glioma cell line Methods Human glioma SHG 44 cells were treated with 2 mmol/L sodium butyrate The inhibition of cell growth was assessed by MTT spectrophotometric analysis and AgNORs analysis The cellular differentiation was determined by flow cytometry, electron microscopy, immunohistochemical method and agglutination test Results Treatment of SHG 44 cells with sodium butyrate resulted in significant inhibition of cell growth and G1 S transition in time dependent and dose dependent manners Sodium butyrate could induce differentiation of SHG 44 cells with regularized nuclei and increased heterochromatins The mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum increased in density in normal state Furthermore, SHG 44 cells expressed more GFAP but less vimentin, and the agglutination degree decreased obviously Conclusion Sodium butyrate may suppress glioma cells growth and induce differentiation of human glioma cells

Objective To investigate the role of neuroendoscope in treatment of cystic craniopharyngiomas in the third ventricle.Methods Neuroendoscope was applied to minimize the volume of the tumors,relieve obstructive hydrocephalus,canalize the intervals of the cysts,and fistulate into the third ventricle or the lateral ventricle and the cysts in 11 patients of cystic craniopharyngiomas in third ventricle accompanied with obstructive hydrocephalus,then radiotherapy followed.Results The symptoms of the intracranial hypertension disappeared and the other symptoms improved postoperatively in all 11 patients.CT imaging and MRI showed that the tumors shrunk and hydrocephalus faded.No severe complications occurred in all patients except 1 patient affected with transitory lethargy.Conclusion Neuroendoscopic technique is effective in improving curative effect and decreasing severe complications in the patients with cystic craniopharyngiomas in the third ventricle accompanied with hydrocephalus.