ObjectiveTo determine the possible causes for functional delayed gastric emptying (FDGE) and its diagnosis and treatment. MethodsThe clinical data of 53 FDGE patients after subtotal gastrectomy from 1987 to 2001 were retrospectively analysed. ResultsAll the 53 patients were recovered and discharged. Among them, 11 were misdiagnosised as mechanical ileus and were reoperated on. ConclusionsThe main cause of FDGE may be the disturbance of gastrointestinal motility which may be caused by vegetative nerve injury during the operation. The main therapy is non-surgical treatment and reoperation should be avoided at the early stage.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the oxidative injury induced by low glucose and mitochondrial membrane potential in HUVEC-12 cells. Methods Human umbilicalvein endothelial cells HUVEC-12 were cultured in low concentration glucose for 4 h.Cell viability of HUVEC-12 cell was assessed with MTT assay.Dihydroethidium (DHE) was used as a reactive oxygen species (ROS)capture, which was detected the mean fluorescence intensity of samples and Rhodamine 123 as a fluorescence detector was to measure the level of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in cells.Results Comparing to HUVEC-12 cells viability in 5.5 mmol/L glucose group (96.80 ±3.20)％, cells exposed to 2.8 mmol/L glucose group (66.40 ± 1.60) ％ and 0 mmol/L glucose group (58.93 ± 1.67) ％ were decreased by 32％ and 40％ respectively (P ＜ 0.01).ROS level of 5.5 mmoL/L glucose group, 2.8 mmol/L glucose group and 0 mmol/L glucose group were 0.59 ± 0.02, 0.74 ± 0.04 and 0.88 ± 0.05,respectivdy, increased by 25％ in cells exposed to 2.8 mmol/L glucose and by 48％ in cells without glucose exposure comparing to 5.5 mmol/L glucose group (P ＜0.01) ; MMP levels of 5.5 mmol/L glucose group,2.8 mmoL/L glucose group and 0 mmoL/L glucose group were 148.83 ± 3.51, 271.07 ± 19.54 and357.74 ±51.32 respectively, increased to 1.8 times in cells exposed to 2.8 mmol/L glucose and to 2.4times in cells without glucose exposure comparing to 5.5 mmoL/L glucose group (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Low glucose leads to injury in HUVEC-12 cells, which is probably induced by the oxidative stress via the increasing MMP.

Adult ; Coronary Artery Disease ; complications ; etiology ; Female ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; surgery ; Myocardial Infarction ; etiology ; Postoperative Complications ; Thromboembolism ; complications ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) on the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in prostate cancer PC-3 cells.

METHODSWe transfected the lentivirus vector STIM1-pGCSIL-GFP carrying STIM shRNA into human hormone-independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells, and 3 days later observed the transfection efficiency by fluorescence microscopy. At 7 days after transfection, we determined the expression of STIM1 in the PC-3 cells by RT-PCR and Western blot and those of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax, survivin and activated Caspase-3 by Western blot.

RESULTSAt 3 days, inverted microscopy revealed a transfection efficiency of > 80%. At 7 days, the STIM1 expression was significantly inhibited at both mRNA and protein levels. The Bcl-2/Bax rate was remarkably decreased as compared with that of the control group (0. 31 vs 1.24 ) , and the survivin expression was markedly reduced, 0. 14 times that of the relative expression in the control. However, the Caspase-3 cleavage was significantly activated, 1.52 times that of the control (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTIM1 can be regarded as an oncogene in prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Inhibition of its expression can induce PC-3 cell apoptosis by reducing the Bcl-2/Bax rate, decreasing the survivin expression, and activating the Caspase-3 pathway.

Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Stromal Interaction Molecule 1 ; Transfection ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

There were significant increase in urine protein excretion,raised malondialdehyde(MDA) level and expressions of NF-?B,p22phox and p47phox in renal tissue,and significant decrease in reduced glutathione,superoxide dismutase,vitamin C and E levels in type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakisaki rats after 12 weeks. There was obvious histomorphologic change in the kidneys.All the above indices were improved by intraperitoneal injection of?-lipoic acid(35 mg/kg q.o.d).Besides,significant positive correlations were found of MDA level to p22phox,p47phox and NF-?B in the renal tissue,?-lipoic acid seems to protect the diabetic kidney in this diabetic rat model via antioxidative effects.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in diffuse brain injury (DBI) of rats and to explore the corresponding effect of AQP4 for brain edema. METHODS: The rat model of DBI was established using Marmarou's impact-compression trauma model. Brain water content was measured by dry-wet weight method. Blood-brain barrier permeability was evaluated by Evans blue (EB) staining. Immunohistochemical method was used to observe the expression of AQP4. RESULTS: Brain water content increased after 3 h and peaked at 24 h after DBI. Brain EB content significantly increased and peaked at 12 h after DBI. The expression of AQP4 significantly increased after 3 h and peaked at 24 h after DBI, and the number of AQP4 positive astrocytes increased. CONCLUSION The increment of the permeability of blood-brain barrier and the expression of AQP4 may contribute to the development of brain edema in rat DBI. The change of AQP4 expression in astrocytes may also contribute to determine DBI.
Animals ; Aquaporin 4/metabolism* ; Astrocytes ; Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism* ; Brain ; Brain Edema/metabolism* ; Brain Injuries/metabolism* ; Cell Membrane Permeability/genetics* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Permeability ; Rats ; Water

Objective To observe whether sodium arsenite(NaAsO2)can activate the expressions of hemeoxygenase-1(HO-1)of normal human liver cell line named Chang liver.Methods Chang liver cells were exposed to NaAsO2 at 10 μmoL/L,0(contml),2,6,12,24 h and at 0(control),5,10,25,50 μmol/L in 12 h, followed by the measuring of the expressions of HO-1 protein in ceUs with western blot.Results In 10 μmol/L groups Chang liver cells exposed for 6,12,24 h cultured in vitro,the expressions of HO-l protein(3.97±0.72, 12.92±2.98,23.29±3.82)was significantly higher than that of control(1.00±0.00),and compared with the control, the difference being statistically significant(F=85.83,P＜0.01;t=-9.42,-8.95,-13.83,respectively,P＜ 0.05 or＜0.01).In 12 h,5,10,25 and 50 μmol/L groups cultured in vitro,the expressions of HO-1(16.34±0.25, 7.75±0.39,7.93±0.14,12.48±0.35)was significantly higher than that of control(1.00±0.00).and compared with the control,the difference being statistically significant(F=85.83,P＜0.01;t=-36.25,-30.19,-86.40, -56.40,respectively,all P＜0.01).Conclusion Inorganic arsenic call induce the activation of HO-1,promote the expression of protein in a time-and dose-dependent manner.

Animals ; Athletic Performance ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Morinda ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Physical Conditioning, Animal

OBJECTIVETo report the effect of Fengweicao Granule (FWCCG), a Chinese herbal preparation made of herba Pteris multifidae, in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSOne hundred and fifty-five patients were assigned to two groups, the 108 patients in the treated group were administered orally with FWCG twice a day, 5 g every time; the 47 patients in the control group were treated with Proscar 5 mg per day for 3 months. The effects were evaluated by the change of the related indexes before and after treatment, including scoring by international prostatic symptom scale (I-PSS), maximum flowing rate of urine (MFR), residue urine volume (RU) in urinary bladder determined by abdominal B-ultrasonography and volume of prostate.

RESULTSAfter being treated for 3 months, the I-PSS, MFR and RU improved remarkably in both groups (P <0.05 or P <0.01), but with no significant change in the volume of prostate, neither with significant difference in comparison between the two groups (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONFWCG has a good effect with less adverse reaction in treating BPH.

Diuresis ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Finasteride ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; Pteris

Objective The protective effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion ( IR) injury via anti-apoptotic signaling is well established , but the underlying mechanism remains unclear .This study was to investigate whether H 2 S could protect cardiomyocytes from endoplasmic reticulum stress ( ERS)-mediated apoptosis in hypoxia/reoxygenation ( HR) injury by regulating the expression of microRNA-455 ( miR-455 ) . Methods Cardiomyocytes from neonatal SD rats were primarily cultured and the model of HR injury was established .The cardiomyocytes were divided into a control group (normally cultured for 27 hours), an HR group (subjected to HR injury), and an H2S protection group (pretreated with the precursor of H2S NaHS at 40 μmol/L at 30 min before HR treatment followed by the same procedure as in the HR group ) .The cell viability was monitored by MTT , the release of lactate de-hydrogenase ( LDH) in the culture supernatant measured by full-automatic chemical analysis , and the apoptosis rate of the cardiomyo-cytes detected by flow cytometry .The mRNA and protein expressions of Grp 78 and caspase-12 were determined by real-time RT-PCR and Western bot .To verify whether miR-455 was involved in the ERS-mediated apoptosis of the cardiomyocytes , the cells were subjec-ted to HR after transfected with miR-455 mimic or anti-miR-455 oligonucleotide (AMO) for 24 hours, followed by detection of the ex-pressions of Grp78 and caspase-12. Results After HR injury, the H2 S protection group showed an enhanced viability of the cardio-myocytes in comparison with the control group ([67.02 ±6.90] vs [29.27 ±5.66] %), an decreased LDH release ([91.33 ± 10.63] vs [168.17 ±15.38] U/L), and a reduced rate of cell apoptosis ([13.98 ±1.90] vs [24.31 ±2.79] %).H2 S pretreat-ment significantly downregulated the mRNA and protein expressions of Grp 78 and caspase-12 (1.66 ±0.39 vs 2.56 ±0.34;1.75 ± 0.32 vs 2.54 ±0.48;2.01 ±0.45 vs 3.26 ±0.34;1.85 ±0.52 vs 3.21 ±0.84, P<0.05).The mRNA and protein expressions of Grp78 and caspase-12 were evidently increased after transfection with miR-455 mimic (3.56 ±0.37 vs 1.00 ±0.00;3.61 ±0.41 vs 1.00 ±0.00;2.87 ±0.38 vs 1.00 ±0.00;2.98 ±0.49 vs 1.00 ±0.00), but remarkably decreased after transfection with miR-455 AMO (0.62 ±0.16 vs 1.00 ±0.00;0.65 ±0.13 vs 1.00 ±0.00;0.54 ±0.13 vs 1.00 ±0.00;0.62 ±0.16 vs 1.00 ±0.00, P<0.05). Conclusion H2S could protect cardiomyocytes from HR injury by regulating the expression of miR-455 and reducing ERS-mediated cell apoptosis .