Objective To investigate the role of connexin 43(Cx43)in the apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cell line BxPC and its possible mechanism.Methods pcDNA-Cx43,pcDNA-Cx43N,pcDNA3.0,siRNA-Cx43 and siRNA-NC were transfected into BxPC3 cells via liposome method.Cx43 protein and Cytochrome C(Cyt C)concentration was determined by Western blot,and the apoptosis was analyzed by Annexin V/PI binding assay.The mitechondria apoptosis pathway involved in Cx43 associated apoptosis was examined which contains the depolarization of mitechondrial membrane potential (MMP);fluorospectrophotometer was used to measure the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9. Gap junction intercellular communication(GJIC) was determined by dye-transfer method.Results Cx43 protein expression increased after BxPC3 transfeetion,apoptosis rate increased from(6.35±0.43)%in empty vector transfection group to(14.29±1.24)%;after H202 treatment,apoptosis rate increased from(20.34±2.47)%to(31.27±2.56)%(P<0.05).Meanwhile,mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased,Cyt C was increasingly released from mitochondria,caspases activities were increased;after siRNA43 interference,apoptosis rate decreased from(7.42±0.47)% to(5.19±1.37)%,after H_2O_2 treatment,apoptosis rate decreased from (19.43±1.71)%to(11.67±1.97)%(P<0.05).Decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and Cyt C release were observed,caspases activities were decreased.GJIC of pcDNA-Cx 43 transfection group increased from 14.52±0.57 to 23.05±3.84.and it increased from 1.70 ±0.24 to 3.84 ±0.45 in the presence of β-GA(P<0.05).But the apoptosis rate was not significantly different.Conclusions Cx43 could promote BxPC3 apoptosis via mitochondrial apoptotic signal pathway,and the possible mechanism included signal pathway other than GJIC.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the activity of Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway in cerulein-induced pancreatic acinar cell line AR42J. Methods The in vivo model of AP was induced by cerulean treated pancreatic acinar cell line AR42J, then RPM and AG490 were given for intervention. Western blot was used to determine theexpressions of JAK1 and phosphorylation JAK1 ( P JAK1 ) , STAT1, PSTAT1 and TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6. The expressions of IL-6, IL-1 β, and TNFα mRNA were measured by RT-PCR. Survival rate of cells was evaluated by trypan blue stain. Results The relative expressions of JAK1, P JAK1, STAT1, P STAT1 and TNF-o, IL-1β, IL 6 without cerulean treatment were 0.09 ±0.04,0.14 ±0.08,0.21 ±0.09,0.12 ±0.12,0.10 ±0.02,0.08 ± 0.03,0.02 ± 0.02. After cerulean treatment, the expressions of abovementioned protein increased in a time-dependant manner, the expressions at 24h were 0.53 ± 0.09,0.53 ± 0.13,0.56 ± 0.09,0.55 ± 0.10,0.25 ± 0.04,0.25 ±0.09,0.27 ±0.07, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (P ＜0.05). 2 4 h after RPM and AG 4 9 0 inhibition, the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1 β, IL-6 proteins significantly decreased to 0.17 ± 0.03and 0.17 ± 0.01,0.15 ± 0.05 and 0.14 ± 0.07,0.19 ± 0.04 and 0.19 ± 0.05; their expressions of mRNA significantly decreased ( P ＜ 0.05 ). The cell survival rates in RPM and AG490 treatment group were (72.4 ± 11.2) %, (69.7 ± 9.8 ) %, and in cerulein-stimulated cells (42.2 ± 12.3 ) % ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions The JAK1/STAT1 signaling pathway was involved in pancreatic inflammatory response with cerulein stimulation. Early treatment with inhibitors to the JAK1/STAT1 signaling pathway might control the inflammatory response in acute pancreatitis.

Objective To study the protective effects of activated protein C (AFC) on the apoptosis of endothelial cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in order to clarify the mechanisms associated with the expression of some genes related to apoptosis. Method The human umbilical vein endothelial cells were incubated with LPS (1.0 μg/mL) for one hour to make the models of cell apoptosis, and then the different concentrations of AFC (10 ng/mL and 50 ng/mL) were added to the models of cell apoptosis as treatment group. Therefore, there were two groups, model group and APC treated group. The factors related with apoptosis such as P53, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 mRNA or protein level were measured by using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Results Compared with LPS stimulated cells, the expressions of P53, Bax and caspase-3 mRNA and levels of protein were decreased and the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein level were increased in APC treated cells particularly in APC 50 ng/mL treated cells (P <0.05). Conclusions The APC inhibits the apoptosis of HUVECs induced by LPS via regulating the mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis pathway, and it may become a novel therapeutic agent for infection disease.

AIM: To study the effect of activated protein C(APC) at different concentrations on apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS).METHODS: The HUVECs were induced by LPS(1.0 mg/L) as apoptotic model that was administered by different concentration of APC(10 ?g/L or 50 ?g/L).Meanwhile,the control group and induced apoptosis group induced by LPS(1.0 mg/L) stimulation were also set up.The changes of cellular ultrastructures were observed under electron microscope.The DNA ladder and TUNEL fluorescent staining were measured in cells.Annexin-Ⅴ/PI double staining was used to measure the cell apoptosis rate by flow cytometry.Cell survival rate was measured by MTT assay.The proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) expression levels in cells were also measured by Western blotting to reflect the proliferation of the cells.RESULTS: There were significant apoptotic changes in the cells induced by LPS,but the apoptotic changes were reduced and apoptosis rates were decreased in the cells treated with APC.Meanwhile,cell survival rate and the protein levels of PCNA were increased after APC treatment,particularly at the concentration of 50 ?g/L,which showed difference when compared with those induced apoptosis group by LPS(P

Objective To investigate the expression of actin-associated protein Transgelin in pancreatic cancer with or without diabetes and its effects on migration and invasion in SW1990 cell line. Methods The expression of Transgelin in 92 pancreatic cancer tissue specimens (45 cases accompanied with diabetes) and adjacent tumor-free tissue specimens (over 5cm from the edge of the tumor) was detected by immunohistochemistry, and their association with clinical pathological characteristics were also analyzed. Transgelin siRNA was designed and transfected into pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990. The changes of migration and invasion before and after transfection were observed through Transwell test.Results The positive percentage of Transgelin expression in pancreatic cancer was 68.5 ％ (63/92), which was significantly higher than that of adjacent tumor-free tissues[33.7％ ( 31/92), P＜ 0.05]. The positive percentage of Transgelin expression in pancreatic cancer accompanied with diabetes was 84.4％ (38/45), which was significantly higher than that without diabetes[53.2％ (25/47), P＜0.05]. The expression of Transgelin in pancreatic cancer tissues was associated with lymph nodes metastasis and TNM staging (both P＜0.05), but not related with gender, age, site, differentiation and portal vein or nerve invasion (P＞0.05). After Transgelin was interfered for 48 hours, the migration ability was significantly lower (migration cell number 49.2 ±9.5 cells) than negative control group (61.9±7.5 cells) and blank group (65.3±10.6 cells) (both P＜0.05), and the invasion of SW 1990 cells (48.0 ± 8.6 cells) also significantly lower than negative control group (63.5±11.4 cells) and blank group (67.5±9.6 cells) (both P＜0. 05). Conclusion Transgelin may involve in the metastasis of pancreatic cancer accompanied with diabetes through promoting pancreatic cancer cell migration and invasion.

Objective To investigate the effects of ginsenoside Rg3 on growth and apoptosis of gastric cancer cell line MKN-45 and SGC-7901 in vitro. Methods MKN-45 and SGC-7901 cells at logarithmic growth phase were obtained, and were cultured with ginsenoside Rg3 of different concentrations (20, 30, 40, 50 μg/mL) for 24, 48 h or 24, 48 and 72 h. Cells cultured without ginsenoside Rg3 were served as controls. The inhibition rates of ginsenoside Rg3 on MKN-45 and SGC-7901 cells were detected by MTT assay, apoptosis rate of SGC-7901 cells was determined by Annexin V/PI double staining flow cytometry, cell cycles of SGC-7901 cells were analysed by flow cytometry, and morphological changes of SGC-7901 cells in 50 μg/mL ginsenoside Rg3 treatment group were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Results The inhibition rates on MKN-45 and SGC-7901 cells in each ginsenoside Rg3 treatment group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05), and the inhibition rates increased with the concentrations of ginsenoside Rg3 and time of culture ( P < 0.05). Compared with control group, the apoptosis rates of SGC-7901 cells and percentages of cells in G_1/G_1 cell cycle in each ginsenoside Rg3 treatment group were significantly increased in a concentration and time dependent manner. Typical morphology of SGC-7901 cell apoptosis was observed by transmission electron microscopy in 50 μg/mL ginsenoside Rg3 treatment group. Conclusion Ginsenoside Rg3 has significant inhibition effect on gastric cancer cell lines in vitro with a concentration and time dependent manner, the mechanism of which may involve the induction of gastric cell line apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of protein inhibitor of activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 ( PIAS1 ) gene silencing on the inflammatory response of rat pancreatic acinar cell lines AR42J with cerulein stimulation, to study its role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis.Methods The siRNA targeting PIASI was designed, synthesized, transfected into AR42J cells by lipofectmine 2000.24 h later, cerulean was added and cultured for another 24 h.Subsequent AR42J cells with cerulein stimulation were divided into 4 groups: cerulein, liposome, negative-siRNA and PIAS1-siRNA groups.In addition, a group with PBS was as control group.The activity of p38 mitogen- activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) was detected by western blotting.TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 expression were analyzed by RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively.Results The expression of p38MAPK in PIAS1-siRNA, negative-siRNA, liposome, cerulein,and control group was 1.93 ±0.11, 1.22 ±0.10, 1.30 ±0.17,1.32 ± 0.21, 0.12 ± 0.02;while the expression of phosphorylated p38MAPK was 2.10 ± 0.25, 1.36 ± 0.20,1.26 ±0.15, 1.23 ±0.25, 0.58 ±0.48, the expression in PIAS1-siRNA group was significantly increased when compared with other groups (P＜0.05).The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MMP-9 mRNA were 1.66 ±0.15,1.66 ± 0.15,1.90 ±0.01, 1.56 ±0.20 in PIAS1-siRNA group, while the expression of protein was 2.06 ±0.37,2.20 ±0.34, 1.80 ±0.10, 1.17 ±0.05, which was markedly higher than those in other group (P ＜0.05).Conclusions PIAS1 gene silencing could enhance p38MAPK activity, and improve inflammatory mediator expression in pancreatic acinar cells with cerulein stimulation.

Objective To explore the dynamic expressions of interleukin-1 (IL-1)receptor associated kinase (IRAK)-M and IRAK-4 in rats with or without endotoxin tolerance (ETT)in acute liver failure (ALF).Methods Sixty-six male SD rats were divided into three groups:ALF group,ETT group and control group.The rats in ETT group received daily lipopolysaccharide (LPS)intraperitoneal injection for 5 days,while the rats in ALF group received daily injection with same volume of 0.75% NaCl solution.Both ETT group and ALF group received intraperitoneal injection with D-galactosamine (D-GalN)and LPS at 24 hours after the 5th injection of LPS or NaCl solution.At 2,6,12,24 and 48 h after D-GalN and LPS injection,the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)and interleukin-6 (IL-6)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The liver pathologic changes were observed with HE staining by microscope.The mRNA expressions of IRAK-4,IRAK-M and NF-κB (p65)were detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The pairwise comparison between groups was done by lease significant difference (LSD)and Dunnet's t test.Results The liver pathologic changes in ETT group were much milder than those of ALF group.In ALF group,IRAK-4 mRNA/β-actin absorbance ratios at 2,6,12,24and 48 h after D-GalN and LPS challenge were 0.711 ±0.074,0.904±0.118,1.012 ±0.098,1.534±0.279 and 1.451±0.290,respectively,while the IRAK-M mRNA/β-actin absorbance ratios were 0.496±0.018,0.516±0.089,0.503±0.023,0.503±0.057 and 0.469±0.142,respectively.In ETT group,the IRAK-4 mRNA/β-actin absorbance ratios at 2,6,12,24 and 48 h after D-GalN and LPS challenge were 0.619±0.083,0.587±0.033,0.623±0.034,0.720±0.044 and 0.654±0.041,respectively,while the IRA'K-M mRNA/β-actin absorbance ratios were 0.929 ± 0.064,1.111±0.138,1.113±0.027,1.891±0.315 and 1.710±0.303,respectively.The IRAK-M mRNA expression level was significantly increased and IRAK-4 mRNA expression level was relatively decreased in ETT group compared to ALF group.The differences were all statistically significant at 2,6,12,24 and 48 h after D-GalN and LPS challenge (F= 17.305,54.921,121.031,67.607,55.279,respectively; F=19.506,43.777,110.823,302.681,202.822,respectively; F=172.003,59.519,987.055,68.463,96.601,respectively; all P＜0.05).Conclusion LPS pretreatment may induce ETT in rat model by downregulating the expression of IRAK-4 and upregulating the expression of IRAK-M.

Objective To investigate peoples' awareness degree and attitudes about organ donation in current China.Methods A questionnaire regarding organ donation was designed,including 20 little questions distributed in 10 groups,most of which were choice questions.The major question was people's attitudes on organ donation,and the development of organ donation.The survey was held in the outpatient hall,bustling commercial district and four professional colleges.The interviewees were randomly selected,and their gender,age,education background,profession or major filed were asked to be indicated on the paper.Results 2930 valid questionnaires were acquired in all.The proportion of men to women was nearly 1 ∶ 1.2,with mean age of 38.12 years old; more than 90％ of the interviewees knew organ transplantation,and could choose.some of the transplantable organs;more than 95％ knew organ donation,but the time varied; nearly 90％ of the interviewees approved cadaveric organ donation,and 73％ of them would like to donate their organs post mortem.People who know more about organ failure and organ transplantation can give more supports to organ donation.The young students have much enthusiasm to organ donation,but much professional knowledge is also needed to firm their attitudes.The approval percentage of living organ donation was 65.3％,obviously lower than cadaveric organ donation ( P ＜ 0.05 ).85.7％ of the interviewees approved to compensate the donators family appropriately.62.9％ suggested using media and various kinds of education to increase people's knowledge about organ donation,and only 20％ chose appropriate legislation.Conclusion At present,the public are aware of some general knowledge about organ transplantation and organ donation.Most of the public approve organ donation and would like to donate their organs post mortem.The popularization of organ transplantation can give facilitation to organ donation.Most of the interviewees believe appropriate compensation is necessary for the donator's family.Media and education can promote the development of organ donation.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of endotoxin tolerance (ETT) through observing the expression of OX40 in liver tissues of ETT rats.Methods SD male rats were randomly divided into three groups:normal group (n=6),acute liver failure (ALF) group (n=24) and ETT group (n=24).Lipopolysacharide (LPS) 0.1 mg/kg (ETT groups) or 0.9 ％NaC1 (ALF groups) was administered by five consecutive intraperitoneal injections at 24 h intervals,and at the sixth day,all animals were treated with intraperitoneal injections of D-galactosamine (D-GalN) 800 mg/kg and LPS 8 μg/rat.Blood and liver tissue were collected at 6,12,24 and 48 hours after the injection of D-GalN/LPS.The gene expression of OX40 in the liver was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The protein expression of OX40 was estimated by Western blot.The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The data analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA,lease significant difference (LSD) and Dunnett's T3 test.Results The expressions of TNF α and IL-6 were both significantly lower in ETT group compared to ALF group,but still higher than that of control group.The gene expressions of OX40 peaked at 12 hours and decreased gradually in ALF group.The gene expressions of OX40 were significantly lower in ETT group compared to ALF group (6 h:F=5.027,24 h:F=5.539,48 h:F=5.011,all P＜0.05; 12 h:F=36.688; P＜0.01),but still higher than that of normal group.The tendency of OX40 protein expression in ALF group was peaked at 12 hours and decreased at 24 hours.In ETT group,the expression of OX40 was lower,and the difference between ETT group and ALF group had statistical significance (6 h:F=8.658,P＜0.05; 12 h:F=34.611,24 h:F=28.176,48 h:F=16.747; all P＜0.01).Conclusions The level of OX40 is increased in ALF group,while the expressions of OX40,TNF-α and IL-6 are lower in ETT group,which suggested that OX40 may play an important role in the process of ETT.