ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of etomidate postconditioning on apoptosis in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) injury.MethodsThirty-two pathogen-free male SD rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n =8 each) using random number table:group sham operation ( group S); group focal cerebral I/R; group lipid emulsion (vehicle for etomidate) (group L) and group etomidate postconditioning (group Ep).Focal cerebral I/R was induced by inserting a nylon thread with rounded tip into right internal carotid artery.The thread was advanced cranially until resistance was met.Middle cerebral artery was occluded for 2 h in groups I/R,L and Ep.Normal saline,lipid emulsion and etomidate emulsion 20 mg/kg were injected peritoneally at the end of ischemia in groups I/R,L and Ep respectively.The animals were sacrificed at 24 h of reperfusion and their brains were removed for microscopic examination,assessment of apoptosis (by TUNEL) and detection of Bcl-2 and Bax expression ( by immuno-histochemistry).Apoptosis index ( AI =the number of apoptofic neurons/the total number of neurons examined × 100％ ) and Bcl-2/Bax ratio were calculated.Results I/R induced microscopic changes,significantly increased AI and Bcl-2 Bax ratio and up-regulated Bcl-2 and Bax expression in group I/R as compared with group S.Etomidate postconditioning significantly amefiorated brain damage,decreased AI,increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio,up-regulated Bcl-2 expression and down-regulated Bax expression in ischemic cerebral hemisphere in group Ep as compared with group I/R.There was no significant difference in brain damage,AI and Bcl-2 and Bax expression and Bcl-2/Bax ratio between groups I/R and L.ConclusionEtomidate postconditioning can attenuate focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting apoptosis and modulating Bcl-2 and Bax expression.

Effects of epidural block on stress response during eardiopulmonary bypass were studied. Twenty patients, undergoing open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, were randomly divided into two groups:the control group with intravenous high-dose fentanyl and enflurane inhalation (1%-1.5%);the tested group with epidural block and enflurane inhalation (0.5%-1%). The plasma norepinephine (NE) and epinephrine (E) concentrations were higher in group control than those in tested group during and after CPB,even at the end of operation (P

Objective To evaluate the effect of continuous spinal anesthesia with a "catheter-over-needle" system which diminished the leakage of CSF through the hole in the dura alongside the inserted catheter and minimizes the risk of post-dura-puncture headache. Methods Sixty ASA Ⅰ - Ⅱ patients aged over 60 yr, scheduled for transurethral prostatectomy, were randomly divided into two groups of 30 patients in each group: group I continuous spinal anesthesia (CSA); group Ⅱ continuous epidural anesthesia(CEA) . Catheter was placed at L2-3 or L3-4. Both groups received 0.5% bupivacaine for surgery. A loading dose of 1.5-2.5 ml (groupⅠ ) or 8-13 ml (group Ⅱ) was given. If the surgery exceeded 2 h a third of the loading dose was injected. For postoperative analgesia a mixture of 0.125% bupivacaine + 0.0006% fentanyl was used. In group I the PCA setting was loading dose 0.5ml, background infusion at 0.5 ml/h, bolus dose 0.5 ml and lock-out interval 8 min. In group Ⅱ the loading dose was 2 ml followed by background infusion at 2 ml/h and bolus dose was 2 ml with lock-out interval of 15 min. Onset time and level of analgesia were recorded during surgery and VAS pain score and movement of lower extremities (modified Bromage score) were assessed. Postoperative PCA was maintained for 50 h. Results The demographic data including age, height and body weight were comparable between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the duration of surgery between the two groups. The onset of block was significantly faster in group I (3.5 ?2.3) min than that in the group Ⅱ (9.5 ?3.4) min. Motor blockade was less intense in group Ⅱ as assessed by modified Bromage score. Analgesia was more satisfactory in group I as less patients received fentanyl and droperidol iv during surgery in group I . Thetotal amount of bupivacaine used during postoperative analgesia was significantly less in group I , only about one-fifth of the total amount used in group Ⅱ. Two patients complained of headache in group I but in group Ⅱ there was also one patient complaining of headache. Conclusion Continuous spinal anesthesia has the advantage of faster onset of block, better analgesia, more intense motor block with less local anesthetic.

Objective To investigate the effects of different concentrations of sevoflurane on adhesion and expression of CD24 and CD44v6 in human lung cancer cell line A549.Methods Human lung cancer cell line A549 was obtained from Shanghai Cell Biology Medical Research Institute,Chinese Academy of Sciences and cultured in RPMI1640 culture medium containing 10％ fetal calf serum.The cells were inoculated in 24 well culture plate.After being cultured for 24 h,the cells were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group (group C) and 3 sevoflurane groups exposed to 1.7 ％,3.4 ％ and 5.1％ sevoflurane for 2,4 and 6 h respectively ( groups S1,S2,S3 ).The cells were cultured for another 48 h.Cell adhesion rate was detected by adhesion test and the expression of CD24 and CD44v6 mRNA and protein was determined by RT-PCR and flow cytometry.Results Sevoflurane significantly inhibited the cell adhesion rate and down-regulated CD24 and CD44v6 expression in a concentration and duration of exposure-dependent manner.Conclusion Sevoflurane can inhibit cell adhesion through down-regulation of CD24 and CD44v6 expression.

Objective To evaluate the effects of the right stellate ganglion block on the expression of β3adrenoceptor (β3-AR) in rabbits with heart failure.Methods Forty-eight Japanese white rabbits of both sexes,weighing 2.5-3.0 kg,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =16 each):sham operation group (group S),heart failure group (group HF) and right stellate ganglion block group (group RSGB).Heart failure was induced by occlusion of left anterior descending branch of coronary artery and confirmed by ultrasonic cardiography 4 weeks later.A PE-10 catheter was inserted into the right stellate ganglion for administration of drugs.0.25％ bupivacaine 2 ml was injected through the catheter once a day for 2 weeks in group RSGB,while the equal volume of normal saline was injected instead of bupivacaine in S and HF groups.The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD),left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD),ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) were measured at 1 day before ligation (T0),before catheter insertion (T1),before 8th administration (T2),and 1 day after the last administration (T3).Eight rabbits were sacrificed at T1 and T3 in each group and myocardial specimens were obtained from the apex of the left ventricle for determination of the expression of β3-AR by Western blot.Results Compared with group S,the LVEDD and LVESD were significantly enlarged and LVEF and LVFS were decreased at T1-3,and the expression of β3-AR was up-regulated at T1,3 in groups HF and RSGB (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group HF,the LVEDD and LVESD were significantly decreased,LVEF and LVFS were increased,and the expression of β3-AR was significantly down-regulated at T3 in group RSGB (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The right stellate ganglion block can improve the cardiac function of rabbits with heart failure through down-regulating the expression of β3-AR in myocardium.

Objective To investigate the effect of intrathecal (IT) dexmedetomidine on the expression of cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation (p-CREB) in spinal dorsal horn in a rat model of bone cancer pain. Methods Sixty-four adult female Wistar rats weighing 200-240 g were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 16 each): sham operation group (group S); bone cancer pain group (group BP); normal saline group ( group NS) ; dexmedetomidine group (group D) . Bone cancer pain was induced by injecting Walker 2S6 mammary gland carcinoma cell suspension (2 ×106 cells/ml) 10μl into the medullary cavity of the tibia in BP, NS and D groups. Groups S and BP received no IT injection. Croups NS and D received IT injection of NS 10 μl and dexme detomidine 5 μg/kg respectively 7 days after successful establishment of the model. Ten animals were selected from each group at 1 day before IT administration (T0), immediately before IT administration (T1 ) and at 1, 6, 12 and 24 h after IT administration (T2-5 ) and paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) to mechanical stimuli was measured with von Frey filaments. The other 6 rats in each group were sacrificed at T4 and the spinal cord was removed for determination of p-CREB expression in the spinal dorsal horn.Results PWT was significantly decreased at T1-5 and pCREB expression up-regulated at T4 in BP, NS and D groups compared with group S ( P ＜ 0.05) . Compared with group BP, PWT was significantly decreased at T2-5 and p-CREB expression down-regulated at T4 in group D ( P ＜0.03), while no significant change in PWT and p-CREB expression was found in group NS (P ＞ 0.05) .Conclusion IT dexmedetomidine can reduce the bone cancer pain through inhibiting the phosphorylation of CREB in rat spinal dorsal horn.

Objective To investigate the effect of different doses of dexmedetomidine(Dex)on sevoflurane consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopic oophorocystectomy.Methods Eighty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients aged 25-50 yr with body mass index 18-25 kg/m2 undergoing laparoscopic oophorocystectomy were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =20): control group (group C),low dose Dex group(group DL),medium dose Dex group(group DM) and high dose Dex group(group DH).Normal saline 20 ml and Dex 0.3,0.6,0.9μg/kg was infused iv over 10 min at 10 min before skin incision in groups C,DL,DM and DH,respectively.End-tidal sevoflurane concentration (ETsev) was recorded before Dex administration(T1 ),skin incision(T2 ),immediately after pneumoperitoneum (T3 ),10 min of pneumoperitoneum(T4 ) and the end of surgery (T5 ).Duration of anesthesia,consumption of sevoflurane,emergence time,extubation time were recorded and restlessness at 10 min after extubation was also recorded.The concentrations of blood glucose and corticosteroid were measured by quickly by glucose analyzer and radio-immunity gefore anethesia induction (T0) and at T3,T4,T5 respectively.Results The consumption of sevoflurane per hour,ETsev at T2-5,concentrations of blood glucose and corticosteroid at T3-5 were decreased gradually in groups C,DL,DM and DH ( P ＜ 0.05).The emergence time and extubation time were shorter and the incidence of restlessness was lower in groups DL,DM and DH than in group C ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can reduce the consumption of sevoflurane in a dose-dependent manner in patients undergoing laparoscopic oophorocystectomy.

Objective To investigate the effects of different concentrations of sevoflurane on Survivin expression in human adenocarcinoma cell line A549. Methods A549 cells were obtained from Shanghai Cell Biology Medical Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences and inoculated in 96 well culture plate. After being cultured for 24 h, the cells were randomly divided into 4 groups: Ⅰ , Ⅱ , Ⅲ and Ⅳ groups exposed to 95 % O2 -5 %CO2,1.7%, 3.4% and 5.1% sevoflurane respectively. A549 cells were exposed to sevoflurane for 2, 4 and 6 h respectively and then cultured for another 48 h in Ⅱ , Ⅲ and Ⅳ groups. Proliferation of A549 cells were measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, and apoptosis was detected with flow cytometer at 48 h after 2, 4 and 6 h sevoflurane exposure. The expression of Survivin in A549 cells was determined by Western blot analysis at 48h after 4 h sevoflurane exposure. Results The rate of proliferation inhibition and percentage of apoptotic cells were significantly higher while the expression of Survivin was significantly lower in a concentration-dependent manner in Ⅱ , Ⅲ and Ⅳ groups as compared with group Ⅰ . Conclusion Sevoflurane can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of A549 cells by inhibition of Survivin expression.

Objective To compare the quality of emergence from TCI of sufentanil and remifentanil supplementing propofol-sevoflurane anesthesia in patients undergoing radical colo-rectal cancer resection.Methods Forty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients of both sexes aged 40-64 yr undergoing elective radical colo-rectal cancer resection were allocated into 2 groups ( n =20 each):sufentanil group (group S) and remifentanil group (group R).Anesthesia was induced with propofol TCI at plasma concentration (Cp) of 4.0 μg/ml in both groups and sufentanil TCI (effect-site concentration Ce =0.4 ng/ml ) or remifentanil TCI ( Cp =4.0 ng/ml).Tracheal intubation was facilitated with vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg.The patients were mechanically ventilated (VT =8-10 ml/kg,RR =12-16 bpm).PErCO2 was maintained at 30-40 mm Hg.Anesthesia was maintained with propofol TCI-sevoflurane supplemented with sufentanil (Ce=0.25 ng/ml) or remifentanil (Cp=2.5 ng/ml).The depth of anesthesia was maintained at Narcotrend index of 37-56 by adjusting Cp of propofol TCI and sevoflurane concentration.The infusion of sufentanil was discontinued at 40 min before the conclusion of the operation while remifentanil was administered until the end of surgery.The incidence of postoperative adverse events,the time from the end of operation to eye openg and the time to extubation were recorded.Reesults The two groups were comparable with respect to demographic data.Neither group developed prolonged emergence and respiratory depression but the time from the end of operation to eye opening and the time to extubation were significantly longer in group S than in group R.The incidence of hypertension and tachycardia,agitation,shivering aad coughing were significantly lower in group S than in group R.Conclusion The quality of emergence from sufentanil supplementing propofol-sevoflurane anesthesia is higher than that from remifentanil.

Objective To investigate the effects of sevoflurane on inhibition of growth of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells by cisplatin and γ ray.Methods The human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 was seeded in culture plate.After being cultured for 24 h,the cells were randomly divided into 6 groups (n =6each):control group (group C),sevoflurane group (group S),cisplatin group (group D),cisplatin + sevoflurane group (group DS),γ ray group (group R) and γ ray + sevoflurane group (group RS).A549 cells were exposed to 2.5% sevoflurane for 4 h in group S.Cisplatin with the final concentration of 3 mg/L was added to the culture medium and the cells were then incubated for 4 h in group D.Cisplatin with the final concentration of 3 mg/L was added to the culture medium and the cells were then exposed to 2.5 % sevoflurane for 4 h in group DS.A549 cells were exposed to γ irradiation (2 Gy) for 4 h in group R.A549 cells were exposed to γ irradiation (2Gy) and to 2.5% sevoflurane for 4 h in group RS.The cells were cultured for another 24 h after the end of treatment,the colony formation was detected and the rate of colony formation was calculated by colony formation assay.Proliferation of A549 cells was measured by plate colony formation and MTF assay and the rate of proliferation inhibition was calculated.Cell apoptosis was detected with flow cytometer.The expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) and caspase-3 was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with group C,the rate of colony formation was significantly decreased,the rate of proliferation inhibition and percentage of apoptotic cells were increased,XIAP expression was down-regulated and caspase-3 expression was up-regulated in groups S,D,DS,R and RS (P ＜ 0.05).The rate of colony formation was significantly lower,the rate of proliferation inhibition and percentage of apoptotic cells were higher,XIAP expression was lower and caspase-3 expression was higher in group DS than in groups S and D,and in group RS than in groups S and R (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Sevoflurane can enhance cisplatin and γ ray-induced inhibition of growth of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells,and downregulation of XIAP expression and up-regulation of caspase-3 expression may be involved in the mechanism.