OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of tanshinone II(A) on the expression of different components in the renin-angiotensin system of left ventricles of renal hypertensive rats.

METHODThe renal hypertension model was established in rats by the two-kidney-one-clip (2K1C) method. In the experiment, all of the rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 15 per group) before the operation: the sham-operated (Sham) group, the hypertensive model (Model) group, the low-dose tanshinone II(A) group and the high-dose tanshinone II(A) group. At 5 week after the renal artery narrowing, the third and fourth groups were administered with 35 mg kg(-1) x d(-1) and 70 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) of tanshinone II(A), respectively. The blood pressure in rats was determined by the standard tail-cuff method in each week after the operation. After the drug treatment for 8 weeks, all the rats were put to death, and their left ventricles were separated to determine the ratio of left ventricle weight to body weight (LVW/BW), the myocardial collagen content, and the expressions of different components in myocardial RAS, including angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), angiotensin 1-type receptor (AT1R), Mas receptor mRNA expression and angiotensin II (Ang II) and angiotensin (1-7) [Ang (1-7)] content.

RESULTCompared with the sham group, the hypertensive model group exhibited a markable increase in the content of Ang II and Ang (1-7) and the mRNA expressions of ACE, ACE2, AT1R and Mas (P < 0.01). However, the treatment with tanshinone II(A) showed the does dependence, inhibited left ventricle hypertrophy, decreased myocardial Ang II content and the mRNA expression of ACE and AT, R in renal hypertensive rats (P < 0. 01) , further increased the myocardial Ang (1-7) content and the mRNA expression of ACE2 and Mas (P < 0.01) , but without any change in the blood pressure of hypertensive rats.

CONCLUSIONThe treatment with tanshinone II(A) could inhibit left ventricle hypertrophy of renal hypertensive rats. Its mechanism may be partially related to the expression of different components in the renin-angiotensin system for regulating myocardial tissues.

Angiotensin I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Angiotensin II ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; administration & dosage ; Heart Ventricles ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Peptide Fragments ; genetics ; metabolism ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Renin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; drug effects

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Hypothyroidism ; genetics ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Thyroid Hormone ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo discuss the changes in Wnt pathway inhibiting factors in esophageal precancerosis lesions induced by methyl benzyl nitrosamine (MBNA) and the effect of Gexia Zhuyu decoction.

METHODWistar rats were subcutaneously injected with MBNA (3.5 mg x kg(-1) for twice per week to establish the model. Since the 1st day after the model establishment, they were orally administered with Gexia Zhuyu decoction (16, 8 mg x kg(-1)). At the 10th week, esophageal tissues were collected to observe the pathological changes of esophageal mucosa, detect SFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1, Axin2 and GSK-3β mRNA levels.by fluorescent quantitation PCR analysis and β-catenin protein level by Western blotting.

RESULTBeing induced by MBNA, rats in the model group showed slight atypical hyperplasia in the histopathological examination. Compared with the normal group, Gexia Zhuyu decoction dose high and low groups showed no significant pathomorphological and histological changes. The model group showed lower gene transcription levels of esophageal tissues sFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1 and Axin2 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and higher β-catenin protein expression level (P < 0.01) than the normal control group. The Gexia Zhuyu decoction low dose group showed higher gene transcription levels of esophageal tissues sFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1 and Axin2 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and lower β-catenin protein expression level (P < 0.01) than the normal control group.

CONCLUSIONUp-regulated β-catenin protein level and down-regulated Wnt pathway could enhance Wnt pathway activity of MBNA-induced esophageal precancerous lesions. Gexia Zhuyu decoction could down-regulate the β-catenin protein level and up-regulate the transcription level of Wnt pathway inhibiting factors, but could not block MBNA-induced esophageal precancerosis lesions.

Animals ; Axin Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Esophageal Diseases ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Humans ; Male ; Necrosis ; Nitrosamines ; adverse effects ; Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Wnt Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects

Objective To evaluate the conventional ultrasound (US) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in diagnosis of splenic trauma including its grading diagnosis. Methods US and CEUS in 42 patients with splenic trauma confirmed by CT and/or operation were performed during 9.2004-10.2007. All the data were compared and analyzed retrospectively. Results Of 42 patients with splenic trauma, 28 cases were detected and 14 cases were missed on US examination, whereas, 40 cases were detected and only 2 mild cases were missed on CEUS examination. The detection rate of lesions with CEUS was significantly higher than that of US (P<0.001) . Ten cases in grading the injury were underestimated by US, however, none of them were underestimated by CEUS. CEUS had good concordance with CT and/or operation in grading diagnosis of 42 cases except two mild cases. Conclusions CEUS has very good concordance with CT and/or operation in detecting injury and grading the splenic trauma compared with conventional US. CEUS as a new imaging technology has made great advance of ultrasoongraphy in evaluation of splenic trauma including injury grading,and it is very useful in clinical application.

Objective To investigate the potential application of human transforming growth factor-beta-1 (hTGF-β1) gene mediated by type 2 recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV2) vector inducing chondrogenic differentiation of canine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro. Methods Canine MSCs from bone marrow were isolated and cultured in vitro by density gradient centrifngation and adherence screening methods. The morphology of MSCs was observed by inverted phase contrast microscope and Giemsa stain. Flow eytometry was used to detect surface antigens of MSCs, The third generation of MSCs were transfected by rAAV2-hTGF-β1 with or without MOI of 1 ×105 v.g./cell or 5×105 v.g./cell. The expression of hTGF-β1 was detected by Western blot after 10 days, and TGF-β1 synthesis was determined by ELISA at 3, 6 and 9 day, respectively. After 2 weeks of culturing, mRNA expressions of type Ⅱ collagen and aggrecan were determined by RT-PCR and the collagen Ⅱ protein was detected by immunocytochemistry. Results The MSCs appeared to be morphologically spindle-shaped and showed active capability of proliferation both in primary and passage generations. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that MSCs were universally positive for CD29, CD44 and CD105, but negative for CD34 and CD45. TGF-β1 expression can be observed by Western blot after 10 days in two transfection groups, MOI of 5 × 105 group and MOI of 1× 105 group. With the extension of time, the contents of hTGF-β1 increased in the two groups detected by ELISA, while there was a significant difference between them two (P < 0.01). After 2 weeks of transfection of MSCs by rAAV2-hTGF-β1, the expression of collagen Ⅱ and Aggreacan mRNAs were positive. It also showed positive of collagen Ⅱ detected by immunocytochemistry. Conclusion Canine MSCs show chondrogenesis differentiation after induction by Type 2 rAAV mediated transfer of TGF-β1 gene. The process is a potential application for cartilage tissue engineering.

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effect of hyperoxia solution on acute lung injury caused by phosgene poisoning by observing the changes of PaO2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in serum and Glutathione (GSH/GSSG) contents in lung tissues.

METHODSThe rabbits were divided into normal control group, hyperoxia solution (H0) and balance salt (BS) groups. Group HO and Group BS inhaled phosgene and the former was given intravenously hyperoxia solution (which was replaced by balance salt solution in Group BS). The content of MDA and the activity of SOD in serum were observed at different time points, the amount of GSH and GSSG in lung tissue were also measured.

RESULTS(1) The serum MDA contents increased and PaO2, SOD activity decreased significantly in Group HO and Group BS along with time increasing as compared with control group. The contents of GSH in lung tissue decreased in two groups compared with that in control group, however the contents of GSSG ascended instead. (2) At 3 and 8 h of the experiment, PaO2 of Group HO [(9.91 +/- 0.49), (9.15 +/- 0.46) mm Hg respectively] were significantly higher than those of Group BS [(9.03 +/- 0.76), (8.11 +/- 0.57) mm Hg respectively] (P < 0.01). The contents of MDA of Group HO (3.66 +/- 0.35), (5.31 +/- 0.15) micromol/L respectively] were lower than those of Group BS [(4.32 +/- 0.26), (7.4 +/- 0.33) micromol/L respectively] (P < 0.01). SOD activity in Group HO [(237.37 +/- 29.96), (208.10 +/- 18.80) NU/ml respectively] were higher than those of Group BS [(195.02 +/- 21.44), (144.87 +/- 21.26) NU/ml respectively] (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The content of GSSG lung tissue in Group HO (423.67 +/- 38.21) micromol/L were lower than those of Group BS (523.85 +/- 43.14) mol/L (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the content of GSH in lung tissues between Group HO and group BS.

CONCLUSIONHyperoxia solution can reduce acute lung injury of rabbits following phosgene poisoning.

Acute Lung Injury ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Hyperoxia ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Oxygen ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Phosgene ; poisoning ; Rabbits ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDWe assessed whether the CaNa2 EDTA could improve the accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) and photosensitisation in HEp-2 cells as well as the depth of treatment of skin cancers on the topical 5-Aminolaevulinic acid (5-ALA) PDT.

METHODSHEp-2 cells were incubated with 5-ALA (0-1 mmol/L) and CaNa2EDTA (0-1 mmol/L) for 4 hours, intracellular protoporphyrin IX content was quantified by extraction, and cell viability was assessed by use of the methyl-tetrazolium (MTT) assay four hours after exposure to light. In comparison with the pictures before and after treatment, depth of treatment could be determined using a Acuson Sequioa 512 phase-array system in paired experiments.

RESULTSPpIX accumulation increased with increasing extracellular concentrations of ALA (0-1 mmol/L). Adding 1 mmol/L of CaNa2EDTA increased 30% PpIX accumulation over the same period of incubation in the concentration of 1 mmol/L ALA. Significant difference was observed between the 5-ALA alone group and 5-ALA combined CaNa2 EDTA group in the PpIX accumulation (P < 0.01). Cell viability after exposure to light decreased with adding CaNa2 EDTA, a statistical difference in a same fluence above 1.2 J/cm2 between two groups was demonstrated (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 respectively). Depth of treatment of skin cancers were increased in CaNa2 EDTA-treated group.

CONCLUSIONCaNa2 EDTA could improve the PpIX accumulation and photosensitisation in HEp-2 cells. Clinically, CaNa2 EDTA could increase the depth of treatment in the cutaneous cancers.

Aminolevulinic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; Edetic Acid ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Photochemotherapy ; Protoporphyrins ; analysis ; Skin Neoplasms ; drug therapy

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; deficiency ; genetics ; Blood Vessels ; anatomy & histology ; Fluorescence ; Lipofuscin ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout

Objective To investigate the effect of vibration on the quality of suspended erythrocytes during transportation, and explore suitable experimental vibration conditions.Methods Three intensities(highway truck vibration, random vibration of fixed goods in a caterpillar, and combined wheeled vehicle vibration)were selected to simulate suspended erythrocyte transportation using electromagnetic vibration test system.Suspended erythrocytes of the same storage were randomly divided into three groups:highway truck vibration(group1),random vibration of fixed goods in a caterpillar(group 2),and combined wheeled vehicle vibration(group 3).The suspended erythrocytes were stored for 11 days and 26 days.The control group was stored with conventional methods.Suspended erythrocytes were vibrated for 1 hour,samples were collected before and after vibration,while free hemoglobin(FHb),K+,and LDH were tested.Results The changes in FHb and LDH after vibration were gradually increased with the magnitude of vibration(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in K +between the three vibration levels.The increase in FHb in suspended erythrocytes stored for 26 days was higher than 11days after random vibration of fixed goods in a caterpillar and combined wheeled vehicle vibration(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the change in FHb between day(d)26 and d 11 after highway truck vibration.Under the same magnitude of vibration,the change in LDH in the d 26 suspended erythrocytes was more significant than that of the d 11, and no significant difference was found in the change in K +between d 26 and d 11. Conclusion The damage to suspended erythrocytes after combined wheeled vehicle vibration is more obvious than that by the other two vibrations.The vibration environment of combined wheel vehicles is more suitable for simulating the vibration damage to suspended erythrocyte vibration.Suspended erythrocytes with a longer storage time have significant changes in FHb and LDH after transportation vibration, and the length of storage time of suspended red blood cells might affect the vibration injury.

Objective To explore a better method for treatment atrophic rhinitis.Methods 56 patients with atrophic rhinitis(96 lateral)were treated by nasal submucou pediculated bone-suberiosteal muscle flap extracted from anterior wall of sinus maxillaries.Results All patients were followed 2 to 10 years,total effective rate was 100 %, with 49 cases(87.5 %)showing prominent effect.Conclusion The grafted flap cannot be assimilated,felled off and necrosis,because the flap has rich blood supply.This methods has obvious short-term effective and stable long-term effective.No complications were found.