CCK receptor belongs to G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily.Polymorphism of CCK receptors can alter drug affinity and/or biological efficacy, and its genetic differences in amino acid sequences can induce ligand-independent signaling, which in turn can lead to disease. With growing efforts in the field of pharmacogenomics, it is anticipated that polymorphism-induced alterations in drug and/or receptor function will be a focus of increasing concern in the future drug-development project. Study of CCK receptor polymorphism may reveal some universal rules in GPCR superfamily. In this review, the alterations of receptor function and/or drug efficacy resulted from polymorphism in CCK receptors will be discussed in the viewpoint of molecular biology and pharmacogenomics, and some strategies in development of receptor-specific drugs will be put forward.

Multinolular and intrahepatic recurrent HCC can originate from intrahepatic metastasis and multiple origins,and their colnal origin is closely related to the clinical diagnosis and treatment.To designate suitable therapeutic strategies according to their colnal origin is a new challenge needs to be tackled urgently.This paper reviews recent progress in the clinicopathological features,molecular diagnosis and clinical outcomes of multiple origin HCC.

Objective To investigate the role of Stat1 in pathological process of nerve cells apoptosis induced by diffuse axonal injury (DAI) on rats. MethodsThe DAI model was established by using an injury model adapted from Marmarou et al. in 1994. All animals were divided into three groups, including control group, mock group and test group sacrificed on 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 120 and 240 hours post injury (hpi). The paraffin-embedded sections of brain tissue were processed for HE staining and Bielschowsky’s silver method. Cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry and the expression of bax and bcl-2 were analyzed by RT-PCR. And Phospho-Ser727 Stat1 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in different brain regions. ResultsThere was no brain contusion within HE staining, however, waving and enlargement of axons were observed within Bielschowsky’s silver method. The apoptotic rate of brain cells as well as PCR products ratio of bax to bcl-2 was highest at 24 hpi and decreased with time. An up-regulation of Phospho-Ser727 Stat1 at 6 hpi was discernible, and then reached the top at 24 hpi in cortex, cerebellum, brain stem and corpus callosum, and at 12 hpi in hippocampus. This increase was associated with the nerve cells apoptosis, r=0.921. In addition, the Phospho-Ser727 Stat1 positive cells were neurons and glial cells assessed from morphous. ConclusionsOur data indicate that Stat1 may contribute to the apoptosis of DAI on rats. In addition, the expression of Phospho-Ser727 Stat1 in glial cells suggested that glial cells may play an important role in the pathogenic mechanism of DAI.

Objective To investigate the contents of cAMP and cGMP in the central nervous system in morphine dependent and withdrawal rats.Methods A physical morphine dependent model in rats was established by subcutaneous injection of morphine in gradually increasing doses.The cAMP and cGMP contents in the brain regions were determined by radioimmunoassay.Results Compared with control group,morphine dependence could significantly decrease the cGMP content or profoundly increase the cAMP content and the cAMP/cGMP ratio in rat striatum,diencephalons,midbrain,pons and hippocampus,but these changes described above were not detected in cerebellum.Compared with morphine dependent group,naloxone induced withdrawal could significantly decrease the cGMP contents or increase the cAMP contents and the cAMP/cGMP ratio in striatum and hippocampus,but these changes described above were not observed in the other regions.Conclusion The changes of the cAMP and cGMP contents may be one of the important molecular mechanisms leading to morphine dependence and abstinence.

Recent studies show that cholecystokinin, a brain-gut peptide, also locates in lung tissues in many animals. Cholecystokinin in lung tissues participates in the modulation of the tone of the tracheae and the pulmonary vessels. It also regulates the breathing pattern as a nerve transmitter in the respiratory center. This paper discusses the location and the biological role of cholecystokinin in lung tissues and focuses on its part during lung diseases.

Animals ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; etiology ; therapy ; Captopril ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electric Stimulation Therapy ; methods ; Myocardial Ischemia ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Rabbits ; Ventricular Fibrillation

Objective To study the receptors signaling of prostaglandin E2 on the differentiation of regulatory T (Treg) cells and Th17 cells.Methods The expression of prostaglandin E2 receptors (EP1/EP2/EP3/EP4) on the MACS-purified CD4+CD62L+ T (Th0) cells was analyzed by flow cytometry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The quantity of CD25+Foxp3+ cells was examined by flow cytometry,the expression of FoxP3 mRNA and RORγt mRNA were detected using real-time RT-PCR,the level of IL-17 in the culture supernatants was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ANOVA,LSD-t,Dunnett T3 were used for statistical analysis.Results EP1,EP2,EP3,EP4 were expressed on Th0 cells at different levels,and EP2 [(89.7±9.1)％] had the strongest expression.PGE2 [(3.0± 2.2) ％],EP2 agonist [(4.5± 1.0) ％] and EP4 agonist [(8.8 ±2.5) ％] decreased the quantity of CD25 +Foxp3 + cells compared with the control group [(28.6±6.8)％] (t=7.156,P=0.021; t=6.958,P=0.032; t=5.359,P=0.044).PGE2(0.210±0.020),EP1 agonist (0.833±0.045),EP2 agonist (0.227±0.025) and EP4 agonist (0.450±0.060) decreased the expression of Foxp3 mRNA compared with the control group (1.000) (t=23.817,t=5.026,t=23.313,t=16.581; all P=0.000).PGE2 [(22±6)pg/ml],EP2 agonist [(24±5)pg/ml]and EP4 agonist [(207±19) pg/ml] decreased the secretion of IL-17 compared with the control group [(678±87) pg/ml] (t=14.925,P=0.004; t=14.873,P=0.004; t=10.480,P=0.008).PGE2 (0.141±0.027),EP1 agonist (0.869±0.033),EP2 agonist (0.176±0.029) and EP4 agonist(0.371±0.042) decreased the expression of RORγt mRNA compared with the control group (1.000) (t=34.046,t=5.184,t=32.673,t=24.962,all P=0.000).Conclusion EP1,EP2,EP3,EP4 receptors are expressed on CD4+CD62L+ T (Th0) cells at different levels.Prostaglandin E2 inhibits the differentiation of Treg cells and Th17 cells via the EP2 and EP4 receptors signaling.

AIM: To elucidate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8). METHODS: The pulmonary interstitial macrophages (PIMs) from rats were stimulated with LPS (1 mg?L~(-1)) in the presence or absence of CCK-8 (10~(-8)-10~(-6) mol?L~(-1)) or/and CCK receptor antagonist proglumide (2 mg?L~(-1)). The expression of TNF-? mRNA was assayed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at 3 h of the stimulation, and nuclear factor-?B (NF-?B) binding activity was analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) at 1 h of stimulation. The I?B? protein level in the cytoplasma at 30 min of the stimulation was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: CCK-8, at concentrations from 10~(-8) mol?L~(-1) to 10~(-6) mol?L~(-1) obviously inhibited LPS-induced TNF-? mRNA expression and NF-?B binding activity in a dose-dependent manner. Stimulation with LPS resulted in a reduction of I?B? protein level in PIMs, which was elevated by CCK-8. The effects of CCK-8 on NF-?B activity and I?B protein level were attenuated by CCK receptor antagonist proglumide. CONCLUSION: CCK-8 inhibits LPS-induced TNF-? mRNA expression by regulating NF-?B activity in rat PIMs, which is mediated through CCK receptors and inhibition of I?B? degradation. This represents one of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of CCK-8.

AIM: To explore the effect of peroxynitrite (ONOO -) on pulmonary microvascular endothelial barrier and roles of ONOO - in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury in vivo. METHODS: SD rats in different groups were insufflated with various concentrations of ONOO -, decomposed ONOO - or vehicle (alkaline normal saline), respectively. Then permeability changes in pulmonary microvascular walls were detected and the pathological alterations of pulmonary tissue were examined under light microscope. Malondialdehyde(MDA) contents were measured in normal lung homogenate pretreated with various concentration of ONOO -. RESULTS: Intratracheal insufflation of ONOO - resulted in dose-dependent increase in lung coefficient, lung wet/dry ratio, lung water contents and Evans blue contents, together with significant pulmonary pathological changes such as diffuse alveolar collapse, capillary congestion, focal hemorrhage, and endothelial swollen. In addition, ONOO - can also elicit increase in MDA contents in normal lung homogenate. CONCLUSION: ONOO - may induce dysfunctions of pulmonary microvascular endothelial barriers, it is suggested that enhanced endogenous ONOO - generation may take part in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury.

Objective To describe the pathogenic and serological test results of the plague in China from 2001 to 2009, and human and animal plague distribution. Methods Through access to information of the plague surveillance report in China from 2002 to 2010, national plague pathogenic and serological test results and the epidemic situation were analyzed from 2001 to 2009. Results From 2001 to 2009, 2966 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated in the seven provinces which were Guizhou, Guangxi, Yunnan, Qinghai, Tibet, Gansu and Inner Mongolia. Of these, 1 138 000 animals were detected by bacteriological method, 1998 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated;379 227 groups of intermediary animals were detected, 927 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated;41 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated from human body. Animal serums of 1 169 702 were detected by indirect hemagglutination assay(IHA), of these 3177 animal serums were positive, 168 human serums were positive;53 323 animal samples were detected by reverse indirect hemagglutination assay(RIHA), of these 500 were positive. There were outbreak or epidemic of plague in 9 types of plague foci, 2925 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated. Two animals and 6 fleas were judged as new reservoir and new vector. There were 23 counties of 6 provinces were judged as plague new natural foci counties. Conclusions The plague epidemic in China is still serious between 2001 and 2009. There are nine types of foci in the active state.