Acute and chronic graft rejection are the major factors leading to graft non-function.There is an active expression of chemokines early after transplantation.They recruit T cells and antigen presenting cells selectively to the graft, leading to inflammatory reaction and finally to graft non-function.Accordingly,monitoring the expression status of chemokines and their receptors regularly may help to the diagnose rejection.To determine one or more chemokines or their receptors as the new targets for anti-rejection therapy will be of great clinical significance.This review focuses on the research progression in the above areas.

Objective To evaluate the curative effects of intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) during the conservative management for patients with indirect optic nerve injury (ONI),and to analyze the benefits of visual evoked potential (VEP) monitoring in prognosis assessment.Methods Among the 253 patients with cranial-facial injury,108 sufferred from optic nerve injury including 89 cases without optic nerve decompression treatment.These 89 patients were randomly divided into:group A,in which patients were given methylprednisolone intravenously for 7 days; and group B,in which patients without methylprednisolone treatment.The extent of and time required for eyesight recovery were recorded.VEP measurement was carried out in all cases.Results No differences in gender,age and BMI (Body Mass Index,all P ＞ 0.05) were observed.The incidence of ONI was higher in patients with motorcycle accident than that in those with car accident (P ＜0.01).In the motorcycle accidents,casualties wearing a helmet had lower incidence of ONI (P ＜ 0.01).Patients treated with methylprednisolone had a shorter recovery time (P ＜ 0.01) from blindness,however there was no difference in long-term outcome between group A and B.In patients with visual improvement in the “ non-extinguished” group,the amplitude and latency of the P wave of VEP were markedly ameliorated after the treatments (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Most of the ONI casualties in our study were resulted from motorcycle accidents,and wearing a helmet is an effective protection measure.The intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) showed no effect on improving the prognosis in patients with conservative treatment.The IVMP shortened the recovery time at the expense of increase in risk of complications.VEP examination is beneficial in prognosis assessment for non-operative ONI patients.The improvement of the amplitude and latency of P wave has close correlations with patients'visual recovery.

The relationship between C936T polymorphism at 3'-untranslated region of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene and diabetic nephropathy (DN) was analysed in 194 type 2 diabetic patients. The frequencies of genotype CC and allele C were significantly higher in DN group than those in non-DN group and control group. Allele C and genotype CC of VEGF may be a genetic marker susceptible to DN.

The angiotensinogen(AGT) expression and angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ ) secretion levels in cultured SD rat mesangial cells were determined. High glucose up-regulated AGT mRNA(0. 29±0.07 vs 0. 20±0. 05,P< 0.05)and protein(0.66±0.23 vs 0.37±0. 15,P<0.05) expression and Ang Ⅱ secretion [(9.85±2.08 vs 7.50± 1. 51) pg/ml,P<0. 05]levels, which were down-regulated by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate( PDTC) treatment via inhibiting NF-κB activity.

Objective To evaluate the protective effect of hydrogen-rich saline on renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in mice. Methods Thirty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham-operated (SO) group, I/R group (mice were injected with 5 ml/kg saline by tail vein just before ischemia induction) and hydrogen-rich saline group (mice were injected with 5 ml/kg hydrogen-rich saline). At the 6th h after reperfusion, the sera and renal samples subject to IR injury were collected. The Scr and BUN levels in serum were determined and renal histological changes were also examined. The apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells was measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay. Malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in renal samples were measured using specific kits. The infiltration of F4/80 positive macrophages and neutrophils was assayed by using immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and IL-17 was detected by using real time reverse transcription PCR. Results As compared with LR group, at the 6th h following reperfusion the levels of Scr and BUN were significantly reduced (P<0.05), histological changes obviously alleviated (P<0.01), apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells and MDA contents was decreased (P<0.05) in hydrogen-rich saline group. Moreover, the infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils, and the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and IL-17 in renal tissue in hydrogen-rich saline group were also declined as compared with IR group (P<0.05). Conclusion Hydrogen-rich saline can ameliorate renal IR injury to some extent, which is associated with inhibition of inflammatory response induced by reperfusion.

Objective To study the effects of Sinomenine on the dendritic cells after hepatic ischemia-reperfusion. Methods Forty-eight BN rats were equally divided into control group, low dose (40 μg/g) and high dose (80 μg/g) of Sinomenine groups after the liver transplantation models were established by two cuff tech-nique. Three days after the orthotopic liver transplantation, the livers were resected, then the dendritic cells were separated and purified. The phenotypes [OX62, major histocompatibility complex Ⅱ (MHC-Ⅱ) and CD86] of dendritic cells were examined by FACS, the expression of IL-12, IL-1, and TNF-a mRNA by RT-PCR, and the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) by Western blot. Results The dendritic cells treated with Sinomenine showed immature phenotypes. The expressions of MHC-Ⅱ and CD86 were significantly deceased. The expressions of IL-12, IL-1, TNF-a mRNA and TLR4 were low. Conclusions Sinomenine can significantly inhibit the maturity and immunologic function of dendritic cells after hepatic ischemia-reperfusion.

Objective To summarize the clinical experience in liver retransplantation. Methods The clinical data of 24 patients receiving liver retransplantation 28 times in this hospital were retrospectively analyzed and discussed with relevant literature. Results Among the 880 consecutive liver transplantations, 28(3.18%) had liver retransplantation. The causes of liver retransplantation were biliary complications ( 16 cases, 57. 1%), carcinoma recurrece (6 cases, 21. 4%), hepatic artery thrombosis (4 cases, 14. 3%), chronic rejection (1 case, 3. 6%), primary nonfunction (1 case, 3.6%). Thirteen patients among the 24 were discharged healthy and were followed up for 51days to 67months. Eleven patients died. Three of them died of hemorrhagic shock, 2 of septic shock, 2 of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence, 2 of cardiovascular system complication, 1of nervous system complication, and 1 of hepatic artery thrombosis. Conclusion Liver retransplantation can effectively save patients with graft failure. Proper indication, optimal operating time, improvement of operative skills,and appropriate treatment during the perioperative period are very important for promoting the rate of successful liver retransplantation.

Objective To investigate the surgical options for the management of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) during liver transplantation and its impact on the outcome of patients. Methods 773 cases of liver transplantation were analyzed retrospectively. PVT occurred in 107 patients, inclu-ding 59 of grade Ⅰ ,33 of grade Ⅱ, 12 of grade Ⅲ and 3 of grade Ⅳ. Simple thrombectomy or thrombus-extraction was performed in grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ. 12 patients with grade Ⅲ received thrombus-extraction or using the donor iliac vein to act as a bridge between the donor portal vein and host superior mesenteric vein. Two cases of grade Ⅳ received a modified cavo-portal hemitransposition and one case received portal-vena coronaria varication anastomosis. Results Liver function had a good recover and the perio-perative mortality is 4. 3% in grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ. In grade Ⅲ , 5 cases received thrombus-extraction had a normal liver function after transplantation and had no died. 2 cases among the other 7 cases using por-tal vein reconstruction had bad liver function and died. The liver function recovered well after trans-plantation and there was no died in grade Ⅳ. Conclusions PVT is not a contraindication for liver transplantation. Good results can be obtained by applying reasonable operative procedures individually.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effects of liver transplantation (LT) for cholangiocarcinoma(CC)and analyze the prognostic factors.Methods From December 2001 to December 2006,234 patients receiving LT for hepatic carcinoma in our institute were enrolled as a basis of comparative study for 6 CC patients undergoing LT during the same period.Results These 6 patients were followed-up from 1 to 56 months.Five patients died and one recurred.The 0.5-,1-and 2-year patient cumulative survival rates were 4/6,3/6 and 1/6,respectively.The 0.5-,1-and 2-year tumor-free survival rates were 3/6,2/6 and 1/6,respectively.The average patient or tumor-free survival time were both(14±4) months.Conclusion The prognosis of cholangioearcinoma patients after LT iS poor.

Objective To study the effect of serf-designed multi-organ preservation solution(SMO)on cold-stored rat liver.Methods The rat livers were preserved with SMO solution(group A,n=15),UW solution(group B,n=15)and HC-A solution(group C,n=15),respectively.The livers were transplanted orthotopically after 6-,12-,24-hour preservation.The changes of liver function at hour 12 after transplantation were detected and conditions of the survived rats at day 14 after transplantation were observed.Results There was no morphological change of the livers in group A within 24 houm.The total bilimbin,alaninetransaminase,and hyaluronic acid increased in group A and B as the preservation time increased,but the levels of the 3 indexes of group A were significant lower than those in group C(F=49.027,70.280,34.349,71.532,446.544,303.408,P＜0.05).No rat djed in group A 14 days after liver transplantation.Conclusions SMO and UW solution have similar effect on protecting the liver.and the protective effect of the 2 solutioas was better than that of HC-A solution.