Objective The present study was to elucidate whether there was a local renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)in rat hepatic stellate cells(HSC)and the immortalized rat HSC line—HSC-T6. Methods HSC was isolated by perfusion of collagenase and pronase to liver. The renin activity, angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ) and aldosterone(ALD) concentration in the cells were assayed by radio-immunoassay. Angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) activity was detected by ultra-violet spectrophotography. The expression of angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor(AT1R) was determined by immunohistochemistry. RT-PCR method was used to assay the mRNA expression of renin, angiotensinogen, ACE, AT1R and CYPⅡB2(the critical enzyme of aldosterone synthesis). Results Ang Ⅱ, ALD, renin and ACE activity could be detected in HSC and HSC-T6. Immunohistochemistry showed that both of them could express AT1R. mRNAs of renin, ACE, AT1R and CYPⅡB2 were also detected in both of them. Conclusions Both rat HSC and the immortalized rat HSC line HSC-T6 possessa a local RAAS.

?-Est. Besides,?-Est could promote the expression of ER ? by HSC at the concentration of 10 -7 mol/L but not its metabolites. Conclusion The present results indicate that ?-Est may attenuate hepatic fibrosis and the possible mechanism is via the action of its metabolites.

Objective To analyze the clinical presentation of functional dyspepsia in Chinese ado lescents.Methods A stratified,randomized study by cluster sampling was employed,which recruited 51 956 students from high and primary schools in six provinces and two cities.All students were requested to fill in a questionnaire.Functional dyspepsia was diagnosed according to Rome Ⅱ criteria.Results Among 51 956 students,10 174 were diagnosed as functional dyspepsia(accounted for 19.58%).Heart burn,hiccup and air swallowing to terminate hiccup were major symptoms of functional dyspepsia.The upper abdominal distention,epigastric pain,anorexia and insomnia were common in boys than girls with no significance(P＞0.05).The belching,early satiety,fatigue and anxiety were significantly higher in girls than boys.Conclusions Functional dyspepsia is a common disorder among the adolescents.Educa-tion and psychotherapy are important in the treatment of students with functional dyspepsia.

Objective To explore the prevalence,subtype,distribution characteristics and risk factors of IBS met ROME Ⅲ criteria in local adult residents of Shanghai Songjiang area.Methods With multi-stage,stratified cluster random sampling method,from April to May in 2010,residents of45 shanghai Songjiang communities were interviewed by questionnaire survey.IBS diagnosis was based on Rome Ⅲ criteria,and the subtypes were according to Bristol stool scale.Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS),self-rating depression scale (SDS) and Athens insomnia scale (AIS) were also simultaneously finished. Results There were 7648 individuals who completed the survey with qualified questionnaires; the efficient rate was 90％. The sample size accounted about 1.62％ of total population in Shanghai Songjiang area.Total 970 patients were detected,who met the Rome Ⅲ criteria,of those 492 males and 478 females.The adjusted prevalence of IBS was 13.1％,13.8％ in males and 12.7％ in females.The ratio of male to female was 1 ∶ 0.92.There was no significant difference in detection rate between males and females (P＞0.05).The prevalence was highest in the 18 to 29 years age group (18.2％,P=0.000).IBS unsubtyped (IBS-U) was the most common type in patients who met the Rome Ⅲ criteria (45.3 ％),IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) type was more common in male (27.0％) and IBS with constipation (IBS-C) was more common in female (19.5％).The IBS prevalence of obesity group (x2 =4.046,P=0.044),higher education group (x2=31.210,P=0.000),mental group (x2 =8.409,P =0.015),unmarried group(x2 =26.933,P =0.000) and no abdominal surgery history group(x2 =5.894,P=0.015) was higher than that of control group.The risk of IBS prevalence in those who had the history of gastrointestinal infection,abdominal surgery,taking antibiotics or analgesics increased by 5.105,3.388,2.949 and 2.811 times respectively(P=0.000).Multivariate analysis indicated that the risk of IBS prevalence was increased by 1.69 times if took more spicy food,however high-protein diet was a protective factor (OR=0.900,P=0.000).Anxiety (OR=2.452,P=0.000) and insomnia (OR=1.923,P=0.000) were also risk factors of IBS.Conclusion IBS is a common and frequently occurring disease in Shanghai Songjiang community.The history of gastrointestinal infection,abdominal surgery,taking antibiotics or analgesics,intake of more spicy food,anxiety and insomnia may be risk factors of IBS.