Objective Peripheral arterial diseases(PAD)are most common conditions in patients with end stage renal disease(ESRD). However, PAD hasn′t been extensively studied like other cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and cerebral infarction among ESRD patients. The present study aims to investigate the ultrasonic characteristics of PAD and risk factors related to peripheral arterial intima thickening and plaques formation. Methods Seventy-three ESRD patients and 21 healthy individuals (as control) were involved in the investigation, and their carotid and lower-extremity arteries including tunica intima, lumen diameter, plaques and Doppler spectrums were examined with color Doppler ultrasonic technique. Then, the risk factors related to intima thickening and plaques formation among ESRD patients were studied combining with their clinical data and biochemical makers. Results The lesions of varying degrees in peripheral arteries occured in 52.1%(38/73) ESRD patients, including intima thickening, coarse and chaotic tunica intima, strong echo masses or atheromatous plaques with different shapes and sizes, widened and deformed Doppler spectrums, accelerated peak systolic velocity and lowered or disappeared diastolic reverse peak at narrow sites, low resistant blood flow at apo-stenosis sites (prolonged systolic accelerative time and decreased acceleration). The incidence of PAD was significantly higher in ESRD patients than that in control group (14.3%, P

Objective:To investigate the effect of mycophenolate mofetil(MMF)on proliferation and apoptosis of cyst-lining epithelial cells in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease(ADPKD),and to compare its effect with that of rapamycin(RAPA)in vitro.Methods: Primary cultured cyst-lining epithelial cells were treated with MMF and RAPA at different concentrations(0,0.005,0.05,0.5,5 ?g/ml)for 48 h or 72 h.The inhibitory effects of them on the cells were evaluated by MTT assay;the cell cycle distribution and apoptotic ratio were determined by flow cytometry.The morphological changes of cyst-lining epithelial cells were observed under transmission electron microscope.Results: Both MMF and RAPA significantly inhibited the proliferation of cyst-lining epithelial cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner.After 48 h treatment,the cells were blocked at S phase by MMF and at G0/G1 phase by RAPA.Both drugs induced cell apoptosis,with the maximal apoptotic rate being(5.53?0.27)% for MMF and(4.36?0.10)% for PAPA.Typical morphological changes of apoptotic cells were observed under electron microscope.Conclusion: MMF can effectively inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of cyst-lining epithelial cells,but its inhibitory effect is weaker than that of RAPA.

Objective To observe the impact of heparanase on glomerular endothelium glycocalyx during sepsis and to investigate the prevention of glycocalyx injury.Methods C57/BL6 mice were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-o) and sacrificed one hour later.Glomerular endothelium glycocalyx traced with lanthanum was observed by transmission electron microscope(TEM).Western blotting was used to observe heparanse protein expression of renal cortex tissue.Human renal glomerular endothelial cells (HRGECs) were stimulated with TNF-α and active heparanase protien expression was detected by Western blotting.Mice were administrated with heparin sodium or heparinase Ⅲ and renal endothelium glycocalyx was observed by TEM.Urine during twenty-four hours was collected to measure urinary albumin and creatinine.The ratio of albumin to creatinine was calculated and compared among groups.Results The glomerular endothelium glycocalyx of LPS group and TNF-α group was degradated and the one of podocyte was integrated.Renal cortex tissue heparanase protein expression was significantly increased since one hour after LPS injection (P ＜ 0.01).The protein expression of activited heparanase of HRGECs which were stimulated with TNF-α was increased (P ＜ 0.05).Administration of heparin sodium which could inhibit the activity of heparanase could prevent the glycocalyx form degradation.The ratio of urine albumin to creatinine of heparin sodium group was decreased compared with LPS group (P ＜ 0.05) and the ratio of heparinase Ⅲ group was higher than control group(P ＜ 0.01) as a result of degradation of glomerular endothelium glycocalyx.Conclusions During the early stage of sepsis,TNF-α can induce glomerular endothelium heparanase to increase and active,and consequently the glycocalyx is degradated which leads to albuminuria.Inhibition of heparanase can protect glomerular endothelium glycocalyx and prevent albuminuria.

Objective To investigate the effects of a novel PPARγ agonist DH9 on Wntβ-catenin pathway in human polycystic kidney cystic-lining epithelial cells (WT9-12).Methods WT9-12 cells were treated with different concentrations of DH9 for 72 hours and the proliferation was assessed by MTT.WT9-12 cells were pretreated with SB216763 or GW9662 for two hours and then treated with DH9 for 72 hours.Western blotting was applied to detect the protein expression of β-catenin,phospho-β-catenin,GSK3β,phospho-GSK3β.Results DH9 could effectively inhibit the proliferation of the cells.60 μmol/L DH9 could facilitate β-catenin down-regulation (P＜0.01) and phospho-β-catenin up-regulation (P＜0.01).Inhibition of GSK3β by SB216763 could protect WT9-12 cells against DH9-facilitated β-catenin repression in a dose-dependent manner despite phosphorylating deactivation,but PPARγ inhibitor GW9662 couldn't.Conclusions DH9can effectively block the proliferation of WT9-12 cells.The effect may be mediated by facilitating the down-regulation of β-catenin via GSK3β-dependent mechanism.

Objective To investigate the effect of rosiglitazone on p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) pathway in polycystic kidney cyst-lining epithelial cells. Methods The cyst-lining epithelial cells (PKD cells) from human polycystic kidney were treated with rosiglitazone (10 μmol/L), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) inhibitor GW9662 (10 μmol/L), rosiglitazone (10 μmol/L) +GW9662 (10 μmol/L), p38MAPK specific inhibitor SB203580 (10 μmol/L), SB203580 (10 μmol/L)+ rosiglitazone(10 μmol/L) for 2 hours followed by epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation. Protein expressions of p38, phuspho-p38 (p-p38) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were detected by Western blot. p38 mRNA was examined by RT-PCR. Expression of c-fos and c-jun was observed by immunocytochemistry. Results (1) EGF markedly up-regulated the expressions of p38, p-p38, PCNA, c-fos anti c-jun compared with control group (P<0.01). (2) Compared with EGF treated group, rosiglitazone significantly reduced p38 activation and mRNA expression (P<0.01, respectively). Rosiglitazone, rosiglitazone+SB203580 could significantly down-regulated p-p38, PCNA, c-fos and c-jun expression (P<0.01, respectively) with no significant difference between these two groups. (3) GW9662 partially reversed the reduction effect of rosiglitazone. Conclusions Rosiglitazone can inhibit proliferation of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease cyst-lining epithelial cells partially through down-regulating p38 activation and reducing c-fos, c-jun and PCNA expression. The above effect of rosiglitazone is in part PPARγ-independcnt.

Objective To investigate the effects of SPARC (secreated protein acidic and rich in cysteine) and its peptide on proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of human mesangial cells cultured in vitro, and explore the possible mechanism. Methods Mesangial cells were incubated in the media with various concentrations of SPARC and its peptide cultured in vitro. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT colorimetric assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis index were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of cyclinD1 and p21Wafl proteins in response to SPARC and its peptide in HMC was determined by Western blot. Results Various concentrations of SPARC and its peptide could significantly inhibit the proliferation of mesangial cells in dose- and time-dependent manner, regulate the cell cycle at phrase G-0/G1 increased while cells phrase S reduced, and could also induce apoptosis. Under the stimulation of SPARC and its peptide, the expression of cyclinDl in HMC decreased markedly meanwhile the expression of p21Wafl increased significantly. Conclusions SPARC and its peptide can effectively inhibit HMC proliferation and regulate cell cycle progression. The mechanism may be mediated by inhibiting cyclinDl and stimulating p21Wafl expression, subsequently blocking cells passing through G-S check point, which will be useful for treating mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis.

Objective To explore the role of Hippo pathway in the pathogenesis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD),and find potential targets for drug therapy.Methods By means of immunofluorescence staining,Western blotting,Real-time PCR,the differences of sublocalization,expression and phosphorylation level about Hippo pathway molecules in Han:SPRD (cy/+) and ADPKD patients compared with the control were observed.Knockdown Yes kinaseassociated protein (YAP),transcriptional coactivator with PDZ binding motif (TAZ) and large tumor suppressor kinase1 (LATS1) in cystic lining epithelium cell line WT9-12 were took by siRNA interference,and then their effects on cell proliferation,apoptosis and cell cycle were assessed.Results In cystic lining epithelium of Han:SPRD(cy/+),decreased expression of LATS1 and increased expression of YAP were found compared with the control,and the immunofluorescence of YAP was distributed both in cytoplasm and nucleus,while distribution and expression level of TAZ were without significant variance.Abnormal mRNA expressions of Hippo pathway components in ADPKD patients were found (P ＜ 0.05).Down-regulation of LATS1 in WT9-12 cells could prohibit phosphorylation of YAP,and prompted proliferation and cell division.Knockdown YAP in WT9-12 cells could inhibited cell proliferation by arresting cell cycle in G0/G1 phase,but down-regulating TAZ showed no significant differences in proliferation and cell cycle.Conclusions Altered Hippo signaling exists in ADPKD,and YAP activation may be one leading cause of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease onset.In vitro,knockdown YAP in WT9-12 cells can inhibit cell proliferation by arresting cell cycle and depressing cell division,suggesting the expression level and activity of YAP are potential targets for ADPKD treatment.

BACKGROUND:During spinal degeneration process, the intervertebral disc and facet joints are interrelated and interacted to impact the normal function and stability of the spine, thereby resulting in low back pain. Moreover, there is always a controversy on the degeneration order of the intervertebral disc and facet joint. OBJECTIVE:To explore the relationship between lumbar facet joint degeneration and intervertebral disc degeneration in patients with low back pain. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 186 patients with low back pain. The facet joint degeneration and intervertebral disc degeneration at L2-S1 motion segments of each patient were evaluated. Enroled patients were divided into three age groups: < 40 years old, 40-60 years old and≥ 60 years old. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The incidence of lumbar facet joint and intervertebral disc degeneration was increased with age, and degeneration of the lumbar facet joint and intervertebral disc were the most obvious at L4-5 and L5-S1 segments. The incidence of intervertebral disc degeneration was more than that of facet joint degeneration at each segment in al age groups, except groups of < 40 years old and 40-60 years old at L2-3 segments, but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). There was a weak correlation between facet joint degeneration and intervertebral disc degeneration (χ2=100.9,P < 0.001, gamma=0.22). These findings show that the incidence of intervertebral disc degeneration and facet joint degeneration is increased with age, and there is a weak correlation between them. However, the lumbar degenerative order is stil unclear and further research is needed.

Objective To investigate the effect of syndecan-4 on the proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) secretion of human mesangial cells(HMC) stimulated by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and to evaluate the role of syndecan-4-PKCα pathway. Methods The expression of syndecan-4 in HMC was observed by immunofluorescence. After the down-regulation of syndecan-4 in HMC by RNA interference, the cell proliferation was detected by MTT. The secretion of fibronectin (FIN), type IV collagen, type Ⅰ collagen was assessed by ELISA. The copy number of syndecan-4 and PKCα was measured by fluorescent quantitation PCR at different time points. Results Syndecan-4 was expressed in HMC. bFGF could promote the cell proliferation and ECM secretion together with the PKCα copy number per million house-keeping genes of HMC, which could be reversed by the syndecan-4 siRNA transfection (MtT: 48-60 h, P<0.01; FiN: 24 h, P<0.01, 48-96 h, P<0.05; type Ⅳ collagen: 72-96 h, P<0.05; PKCa: 0 h, P<0.05, 12-48 h, P< 0.01). Conclusion Syndecan-4 may regulate the proliferation and ECM secretion of HMC stimulated by bFGF through syndecan-4-PKCα pathway.

Objective To investigate the antiproliferative effect of rosiglitazone, a thiazolidinedione (TZD) on autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) cystic lining epithelial cells and to explore the underlying molecular mechanism. Methods ADPKD cysticlining immortalized epithelial (WT9-12) cells were stimulated by rosiglitazone with different concentrations. After treatment, MTT method was performed to detect the level of proliferation; flow cytometry was used to determine the cell cycle distribution and the apoptosis rate. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of mTOR, p70S6K, 4E-Bp1, PPARγ PPARγ siRNA was transfected into WT9-12 cells to knock down the expression of PPARγ Results Treatment of WT9-12 cells with rosiglitazone resulted in a dose-dependent and time-dependent strong inhibition of cell proliferation, an accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase (rosiglitazone 50 μmol/L 65.43%,rosiglitazone 100 μmol/L 64.02%, control 49.65% ) and 6% apoptosis at high concentration (rosiglitazone 200 μmol/L). Rosiglitazone reduced the phosphorylation of p70S6K in a dosedependent and time-dependent manner. The levels of phosphorylated mTOR and 4E-Bp1, the latter being a downstream substrate of mTOR related mRNA translation initiation, were not changed by rosiglitazone. Cells were pre-incubated with GW9662, a PPARγ antagonist, before the treatment with rosiglitazone, the inhibition of p70S6 kinase phosphorylation by rosiglitazone was partially prevented by GW9662 (P＜0.01). Then PPARγ siRNA was transfected into WT9-12 cells, in contrast to untransfected control or cells transfected with an irrelevant siRNA, rosiglitazone did not cause an obvious inhibition of p70S6 kinase phosphorylation in PPARγ knock-down.Conclusion Rosiglitazone inhibits the proliferation of ADPKD cystic lining epithelial cells, and down-regulates p70S6 kinase phosphorylation through mTOR-independent and PPARγ-dependent signal pathway.