OBJECTIVETo observe the expression levels of hippocampal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (flt-1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor receptor (bFGF-r) in vascular dementia (VD) rats, thus studying the angiogenesis mechanism of moxibustion in VD.

METHODSSixty male elderly Wistar rats were selected. The VD rat model was prepared by bilateral carotid artery occlusion and reperfusion of sodium nitroprusside injection. The model rats were divided into 3 groups by the random digit table, i. e., the moxibustion group, the Western medicine group, and the model group. A sham-operation control group was also set up. In the moxibustion group rats was acupunctured at Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV14), and Dazhui (GV24). Aniracetam was given to rats in the Western medicine group by gastrogavage for 2 therapeutic courses, 15 days as one course. The learning and memory results were observed by the neuroethological score in combination of step-down avoidance test before treatment and by the end of the 2nd course respectively. The expression levels of hippocampal VEGF, flt-1, bFGF, and bFGF-r of all rats were detected using immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTSAfter 2 courses of treatment, statistical difference existed in the latent period, the error times, and the neuroethological score in the moxibustion group and the Western medicine group when compared with the model group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Statistical difference existed in the latent period and the neuroethological score between the moxibustion group and the Western medicine group (P < 0.05), which indicated that moxibustion and Western medicine showed significant effects in improving the latent period, decreasing the error times and the neuroethological score. Better results were obtained in the moxibustion group than in the Western medicine group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Statistical difference of the average grey level (AGL) of hippocampal VEGF, flt-1, and bFGF existed in the moxibustion group and the Western medicine group when compared with the model group. Statistical difference of the bFGF-r expression existed only between the moxibustion group and the model group. Statistical difference of the VEGF and flt-1 expressions existed between the moxibustion group and the Western medicine group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMoxibustion showed confirmative effects in improving the behavioral score and memory performance in VD rats. Its mechanisms might lie in that moxibustion regulated and controlled the expression levels of hippocampal VEGF, flt-1, bFGF, and bFGF-r in VD rats. Particularly it up-regulated the expression levels of key factors VEGF and flt-1, promoted the angiogenesis in the vital parts, and ultimately stimulated the repairing mechanisms of cerebral nerve injury.

Animals ; Dementia, Vascular ; metabolism ; therapy ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2 ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 ; metabolism

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor ; metabolism

To study the expression of the bFGF and its receptor in the mouse bone marrow by treatment with acute radioactive injury and Ligustrazine, 56 mice were divided into 3 groups: normal group, radiation-injured group and Ligustrazine group. After irradiation by 6.0 Gy 60Co gamma-ray, each mouse was orally given 0.1 ml Ligustrazine twice a day for 13 days in Ligustrazine group, and each mouse in radiation injured group was orally given equal amount of saline. On the 3rd, 7th, 14th day after irradiation, bone marrow mono-nuclear cells (BMMNC) were counted, and the expression levels of bPGF and bFGFR in bone marrow were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry analysis respectively. On the 3rd, 7th, 14th day after irradiation, expression of bFGF in bone marrow were significantly lower than in normal group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Expressions of bFGF and bFGFR were much higher in Ligustrazine treated group than that in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Ligustrazine potentiate the expression of bFGF and bFGFR in bone marrow MNC to recover the bone marrow hematopoiesis inductive microenvironment, which is one of the mechanisms by which Ligustrazine rebuild the bone marrow hematopoiesis after acute radioactive injury.
Bone Marrow Cells/metabolism ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/*biosynthesis ; Hematopoiesis/drug effects ; Pyrazines/*pharmacology ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental/*metabolism ; Radiation-Protective Agents/pharmacology ; Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor/*biosynthesis

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expressed in normal human dental pulp at different root development stages of permanent teeth.

METHODSBased on the teeth root development status, the pulp tissues were classified into three groups: root just starting development, being in development and apical closed. The pulps were immunohistochemically examined by use of bFGF antibody.

RESULTSStaining was strongly positive in immature permanent teeth, especially at the stage of root just starting development. Image analysis indicated that the gray values of positive reaction in three groups were statistically different (P < 0.001). For the first group, the gray value of the outer pulp was higher than that of the pulp core. For the second group, the pulp core has a higher gray value in the coronal pulp, while a lower value in root pulp compared to the outer pulp.

CONCLUSIONWith the development of root formation, the expression of bFGF in dental pulp shows different characteristics. bFGF may play a role in dental pulp development and maturation.

Dental Pulp ; metabolism ; Dentition, Permanent ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Odontogenesis ; Tooth Root ; growth & development ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo look into the character of the expression of collagen type II and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the apical articular process cartilages of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and congenital scoliosis (CS) patients.

METHODSThe articular processes of 22 AIS and 18 CS were collected. The techniques of HE staining, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were adopted in this research. By comparing the apical processes with the end processes, the convex processes with the concave processes, the AIS processes with CS processes, the pathological changes of the articular process cartilages of these patients and the distribution of collagen type II and TGF-beta1, bFGF in them were studied. The images of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were input into the image analysis system and were analyzed semi-quantitatively. The SAS software (8.01) was adopted, and P < 0.05 was defined as the significant level.

RESULTSThe expression of collagen type II and TGF-beta1, bFGF in AIS was similar to CS: the concave sides of apexes were higher than the convex sides. The comparisons had statistical significance. There was no statistical significance between upper and lower end vertebrae in convex and concave sides, between convex and concave sides in upper and lower end vertebrae. The apical vertebrae were significantly higher than the ipsilateral sides of upper or lower end vertebrae for collagen type II. There was no statistical difference of the expression at the concave, convex, upper, lower end vertebrae between AIS and CS.

CONCLUSIONSThe cartilages of the apical processes show some signs of regression and hypoplasia in scoliosis. The concave side is more severe than the convex side. Increase of collagen type II and TGF-beta1, bFGF in the concave sides of apical processes in scoliosis may be the results of reconstruction of extracellular matrix and the compensation reactions which are caused by abnormal biomechanical forces such as compressive stresses. Compressive stress on the concave sides has more influences on the expression of collagen type II than tensile stress on the convex sides.

Adolescent ; Cartilage, Articular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Child ; Collagen Type II ; metabolism ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Scoliosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of overdose fluoride on the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in rat incisors.

METHODSTwenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: group I (control group) distilled water was given; group II (experimental group) 100 mg/L NaF was given. The rats were killed at the end of 8 th week. Immunohistochemical staining was used to study the expression of bFGF in rat incisors.

RESULTSImmunohistochemical results demonstrated the presence of bFGF in ameloblasts, odontoblasts of rat incisors. The expression of bFGF was reduced in group II (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOverdose fluoride inhibits the expression of bFGF and affects the interaction between dental epithelium and dental mesenchyme, which leads to the enamel demineralization.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Fluorosis, Dental ; metabolism ; Incisor ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

AIMThe clinical manifestation of chronic mountain sickness (CMS) is polycythemia, pulmonary hypertension and mionectic blood. However, the pathogenesis of it is not identified now. So it is necessary to investigate the effects of the angiogenic growth factors on the pathophysiologic development of CMS.

METHODSThe serum levels of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in 13 healthy Tibetan natives (Native), 17 healthy people in Xining (control group) and 35 CMS patients were determined by quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Meanwhile, the levels of Hb, Hct and SaO2 were determined.

RESULTSThe serum levels of bFGF (107.26 +/- 7.86) ng/L, PDGF (630.18 +/- 9.89) ng/L and VEGF (543.74 +/- 6.76) ng/L in CMS were significantly higher than those in Natives (37.01 +/- 9.16; 292.16 +/- 6.88; 125.51 +/- 7.26) ng/L, and in control group (40.58 +/- 5.34; 287.68 +/- 8.33; 76.26 +/- 4.60) ng/L, respectively (P < 0.01). There was no difference between the natives and the control group in bFGF and PDGF (P > 0.05), while there was predominant difference between the Natives and the control group in VEGF (P < 0.01). There was a predominant positive correlation between the serum levels of bFGF, PDGF or VEGF and hemoglobin concentrations in CMS respectively (P < 0.01). And there were positive relations between angiogenic growth factors each other.

CONCLUSIONThe serum levels of bFGF, PDGF and VEGF in patients with CMS significantly increase, these angiogenic growth factors may play important role on the pathophysiologic development of CMS; the VEGF level likely contributes to the adaptation to plateau hypoxia in healthy Tibetan natives; the elevated bFGF, PDGF and VEGF levels are likely associated with excessive erythropoiesis in CMS.

Adult ; Altitude Sickness ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between expression of angiogenic factors and invasion and proliferation in pancreatic carcinoma cell.

METHODSExpressions and secretions of angiogenic factors in pancreatic carcinoma cell lines were determined by RT-PCR and ELISA. Proliferation and invasion of pancreatic carcinoma cell lines were determined by CCK-8 and Boyden Chamber invasion tests.

RESULTSPancreatic carcinoma cell lines showed significantly different ability of invasion and proliferation. Intracellular VEGF expressions of SW1990, Capan-1, Aspc-1, MiaPaCa-2, Panc-1 and PCT-3 were (152.9 +/- 0.6), (224.1 +/- 60.3), (239.2 +/- 2.1), (19.3 +/- 0.7), (165.6 +/- 34.3), and (18.1 +/- 1.4) pg/(10(6)cell.24 h). Extracellular VEGF expressions of SW1990, Capan-1, Aspc-1, MiaPaCa-2, Panc-1 and PCT-3 were (1331.1 +/- 67.8), (3902.6 +/- 79.7), (2657.3 +/- 51.9), (1498.3 +/- 4.8), (4696.8 +/- 45.5), and (1200.5 +/- 42.2) pg/(10(6)cell.24 h). Intracellular bFGF expressions of SW1990, Capan-1, Aspc-1, MiaPaCa-2, Panc-1 and PCT-3 were (66.1 +/- 4.8), (206.8 +/- 99.5), (1532.0 +/- 54.6), (159.2 +/- 11.0), (1612.0 +/- 515.9) and (2781.2 +/- 479.0) pg/(10(6)cell.24 h). Extracellular bFGF expressions of SW1990, Capan-1, Aspc-1, MiaPaCa-2, Panc-1 and PCT-3 were (2.1 +/- 0.6), (10.3 +/- 1.5), (31.0 +/- 0.4), (4.3 +/- 1.2), (43.6 +/- 1.5) and (82.1 +/- 10.4) pg/(10(6)cell.24 h). Intracellular endostatin expressions of SW1990, Capan-1, Aspc-1, MiaPaCa-2, Panc-1 and PCT-3 were (0.2 +/- 0.0), (0.3 +/- 0.0), (4.7 +/- 0.1), (10.8 +/- 0.2), (31.9 +/- 11.7) and (5.4 +/- 0.1) ng/(10(6)cell.24 h). Extracellular endostatin expressions of SW1990, Capan-1, Aspc-1, MiaPaCa-2, Panc-1 and PCT-3 were (0.0 +/- 0.0), (1.6 +/- 0.0), (21.5 +/- 1.1), (40.8 +/- 0.4), (129.2 +/- 1.0) and (20.1 +/- 1.8) ng/(10(6)cell.24 h). Panc-1 enjoying stronger invasion and proliferation showed stronger expressions of VEGF, bFGF and endostatin. Intracellular expressions of bFGF was stronger than extracellular, extracellular expressions of VEGF and endostatin were stronger than intracellular.

CONCLUSIONExpressions of angiogenic factors regulated by cancer cell played an important role in progression of pancreatic carcinoma.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Endostatins ; metabolism ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dynamic expression of the TGF-beta1 and FGF-2 in the nasal mucosa of rat models of allergic rhinitis, at different stages of the process during pathogenesis. METHOD: One hundred and eighty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups, the normal Group A used for contrast and experimental groups: Group B and C, each group were 60 rats. Then, observed the expression of the TGF-beta1 and FGF-2 in the nasal mucosa at different stages of the process by immunohistochemical staining. RESULT: The expression of the TGF-beta1 and FGF-2 in the nasal mucosa of the normal Group A was negative, while the Group B and Group C were varying degrees of positive both, and Group B, the level of the TGF-beta1 and FGF-2 were both decline after allergen avoidance, but still more not ability than the expression of the Group B (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The expression of the TGF-beta1 and FGF-2 in the nasal mucosa of rats models were varying degrees of positive , and it is decline while the allergen avoidance.
Animals ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Male ; Nasal Mucosa ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of primary brain-stem injury on the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the reticular formation of medulla oblongata. METHODS: Immunohistochemical SABC was used to study the change of bFGF expression in the reticular formation of medulla oblongata after brain-stem injury by striking. RESULTS: The numbers of positive cells and positive intensity of the study group in the reticular formation of medulla oblongata were significantly elevated than those of the control group and the postmortem injury group. CONCLUSION The expression of bFGF is elevated in reticular formation after brain-stem injury.
Animals ; Brain Stem/injuries* ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/biosynthesis* ; Male ; Medulla Oblongata/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reticular Formation/metabolism*