Objective Rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were used to investigate the secretory state of pancreas and the expression of insulin receptor (IR). Methods NAFLD rat model was reproduced, and then the structure of pancreatic tissue, secretory states of ? and ? cells (serum, tissue) and the expression of IR were examined and determined by means of HE staining, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. Results In all experimental groups, the structure of pancreatic tissue showed no obvious change; the blood sugar level tended to rise. The insulin level in serum began to elevate obviously at 4th week (P≤0.01), while the insulin content in tissue began to increase at 6th week (P≤0.01), and distributed mainly in the middle part of the pancreas with a tendency of elevation along with the time. The content of glucagon in pancreatic tissue began to increase at 8th week (P≤0.01), and reached the peak at 12th week. The expression of IR in tissue began to decrease at 6th week (P≤0.01), and then tended to be stable after 8th week. Conclusions In NAFLD, there was changes in secretory state of pancreas with the accompaniment of insulin resistance. There was a tendency of elevation of levels of insulin both in serum and pancreatic tissue, but the time of expression was different. The expression of glucagen shows an increase tendency, while the decrease of IR might be the crucial cause of insulin resistance in NAFLD.

Objective To study the changes in serum endotoxin level of the patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and the relationship between endotoxin and serum biochemical parameters. Methods Clinical data of 63 cases PBC patients confirmed by liver puncture biopsy were retrospectively studied. The clinical features, results of laboratory tests, pathological findings of all the 63 patients were analyzed. Endotoxin level was determined by limulus amebocyte lysate test in the serum obtained from the 63 cases of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, and then compared with that of 30 healthy individuals. Results The sex ratio (male to female) of PBC patients was 1 to 8, and the mean age was 43.8 years. The prevalent complaints were jaundice and fatigue. 70.3% patients showed AMA positive. The levels of ?-glutamyltransferase (r-GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin in the serum were markedly elevated in the majority of the patients. Compared with the early stage, the levels of ALT and AST declined slightly during the advanced stage (P

To study the mechanism of matrix degradation in alcoholic liver disease (ALD), the liver tissues from 28 patients with ALD were divided into three groups according to their fibrosis degree. The mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP 1), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP 2), membrane type metalloproteinase (MT1 MMP), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP) was detected using in situ hybridization method. The results showed that the cells with positive MMP 1, MMP 2, MT1 MMP, and TIMP mRNA staining were mainly located around the fibrotic central veins, walls of sinusoids, and portal triads. These positive cells were the cells of hepatic sinusoidal walls and a few hepatocytes, meanwhile, some cells expressed both the MMP 2 and the MT 1MMP mRNA. The positive cells of the MMP 2, MT1 MMP, and TIMP mRNA increased in parallel with the severity of fibrosis, whereas the expression of MMP 1 mRNA decreased. These changes were observed predominantly in moderate fibrosis group. There findings demonstrated that down regulation of MMP 1 expression and up regulation of TIMP expression might be involved in excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in ALD. MMP 2 might collaborate with MT1 MMP in degradation of ECM. thereby contributing to fibrosis of central veins.Hepatic stellate cells might be the main cellular source of MMP 1, MMP 2, MT1 MMP and TIMP in ALD.

Objective To explore the expression of leptin and its receptors in liver tissue of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)patient and its significance in pathogenesis.Methods Samples of 59 liver biopsies of NASH patients were divided into three groups G,S and F according to their degree of inflammation and steatosis and stage of fibrosis.The expression of leptin and its receptors including Ob-R,the short form of Ob-R(Ob-Ra)and the long form of Ob-R(Ob-Rb)were semi-quantitatively determined at the protein and/or mRNA expression levels by using immunohistochemistry,in situ hybridization and image analysis.Results The expressions of leptin in NASH liver tissues were found in KC,HSC and MNC,which were mainly situated in zone 3 near steatotic hepatocytes and perisinusoidal or portal fibrosis areas.Leptin mRNA(Ob)positive cells were distributed in hepatocytes in zone 3.The expression of leptin at protein and mRNA levels in the NASH liver tissues was significantly increased in NASH compared with normal liver tissues(P

Objective MRI was a powerful technique for evaluation of the meniscus injury.However,meniscal injuries were the most common reason for arthroscopy of the knee.The research was to reveal the relationship between the classification on MRI and the morphological changes of the meniscus injury under the arthroscopy in order to indicate the surgical procedures according to the MRI degree of meniscus in-juries.Methods From October2000to December2001,157knees of152cases with meniscus tears were analyzed retrospectively,who were classified into the osteoarthritis group and sport injury group depending on the causes of injury.There were107knees in osteoarthritis group,50knees in sport injury group.All cases were made MRI examination with T 1 and T 2 sequences,and152of them underwent arthroscopic oper-ation.According to the different signal intensity,changes of contour and edge of meniscus,juried meniscus were divided into four degrees,referring to the standard described by Stoller.The conditions of torn menis-cus were observe and recorded while performing arthroscopy in order to compare with that on MRI.Results The MRI classification in osteoarthritis group,there were gradeⅠin21knees,gradeⅡin34knees,gradeⅢin40knees,and gradeⅣin12knees;Depending on the exploration in arthroscopy,the accurate rate of diagnosis of MRI for meniscus injury was100%(21/21)for gradeⅠ,91.2%(31/34)for gradeⅡ,92.5%(37/40)for gradeⅢand100%(12/12)for gradeⅣ.The patients with gradeⅢand gradeⅣinjury of the meniscus all underwent the operation of arthroscopy.The MRI classification in sport injury group,there were gradeⅠin5knees,gradeⅡin4knees,gradeⅢin26knees,and gradeⅣin15knees.The accurate rate of diagnosis of MRI was75%(3/4)for gradeⅡ,92.3%(24/26)for gradeⅢand93.3%(14/15)for gradeⅣ.Conclusion In the meniscus tears,gradeⅠinjury on MRI is not indicated to surgical treatment,gradeⅡcan be explored in arthroscopy or observed when it is in need based on clinical symptoms.GradeⅢand gradeⅣof meniscus injury necessitate partial meniscectomy or meniscoplasty.

Objective One of the characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis was multiple joints involved symmetrically. The purpose was to study the method of early diagnosis and treatment for the atypical rheumatoid arthritis involving solitary joint. Methods From April 1997 to December 2002, 5 cases which were 1 male and 4 female patients with an average age of 36.8 years (range, 23 to 47 years), suffered from the swelling and pain of knee joint, and were diagnosed as early rheumatoid arthritis. The interval of the onset to surgical treatment ranged from 2 months to 3 years with a mean of 16.2 months. The patients were evaluated with serum test, joint fluids examination and radiological imaging. They were treated by the synovectomy under the arthroscopy, while the appearances of the joint under arthroscopy were recorded, and the synovial tissue was sent to the pathological examination. The improvements of the joints symptoms and the range of motion were assessed at final follow up. Results During the operation, the light green and little muddy joint fluids were found in all patients. ESR of the patients ranged from 29 to 51 mm/1h with an average of 32.2 mm/1h, all of which were higher than normal value, whereas, 3 cases had positive rheumatoid factor and 4 cases showed significant higher ?2-MG. The radiographic findings were osteoporosis in 3 cases, soft tissue swelling in 4 cases and narrowed joint space in 1 case. The synovium were proliferated and enlarged in dark violet, there were creeping pannus and necrosis fibrin deposition in the cartilage. All of the patients were diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis confirmed by pathological changes of the synovium. The patients were followed up from 4 months to 5 years (mean, 18.7 months). Pain released in 5 cases, swelling reduced in 3 cases, the range of motion improved by 19 degrees. Unfortunately, all of the patients developed later into typical rheumatoid arthritis after the mean interval of 10.9 months (range, 3 to 25 months), the symptoms were consistent with the criteria of American Rheumatoid Association . Conclusion Solitary joint with rheumatoid arthritis is rare and may be the early status of rheumatoid arthritis. The specific appearance under the arthroscopy prompt the early diagnosis of the knee rheumatoid arthritis, and synovectomy by arthroscopy may be benificial to release the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective To explore the effect of elbow release and debridment with arthroscopy for elbow malfunction. Methods The study was carried out on 15 patients (male 11, female 4; age 21-63 years old, average 40.1 years old) with the use of arthroscopy to brisement accretion and articular capsule from August 2001 to December 2003. The mean course was 55.2 months (range, 8-24 months). The flexion angle of joint preopration was 15?-60?, average 30.4?, the extension angle was -80?--20?, average -51.2?. The diagnosis was osteophyma and liberum in 4. The old fracture of radius capitulum was in 2; the old fracture of ulnar olecranon in 2; the old fracture of condyle of humerus in 3; degeneration in 4. The brachial plexus anesthesia,the elbow hung to traction, interna and extra-pathway, to cut synovium and accretion fibers with shver, removal liberum and milling osteophyma, meanwhile brisement articular capsule. Pathology manifestation in arthroscopy: there were a lot hyperemia synovium and fiber accretion. There was cartilage exfoliation in 8, hyperplasy and liberum in 5, ossification of cicatricle in 2. The motion range of elbow was reexamined, if the extension function was restricted, release was performed on anterior soft tissue and capsule. If the flexion function was restricted, release was carried out on posterior capsule via posterior straight approach(3 cm supra point of olecranon). Results All patients recovered daily life and occupation postoperative 7 to 14 days. Transient ulnar nerve paralysis occurred postoperatively in one case, which recovered three months later. There were no blood vessel and nerve injury. The mean follow-up period was 14.1 months (range, 7-20 months). At the final follow-up, the flexion of joint post operation was 70?-120?, to improve average 60.5?; the extension of joint post operation was -20?--5?, to improve average 37.6?. In accordance with HSS scoring system, excellent 7, good 5, fail 3. Conclusion Using of arthroscopy to release elbow joint have many advantages such as less trauma, quick recovery and less sequela. The application in release with arthroscopy is a good way for elbow malfunction.

Objective The key points in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition ( EMT) procedure include the downregula-tion of epithelial protein (E cadherin) and the upregulation of cell activity and cell matrix generation .The aim of this study was to es-tablish a method for primary culture and identification of mouse renal tubular epithelial cells and to explore whether the activation of C3aR can induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in mouse primary renal epithelial cells . Methods Murine renal tubular seg-ments were used for primary cell culture .Immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence staining were used to identify the renal tubular epithelial cells.The experiment groups included control group , five different concentrations of C3aR agonist groups (0.1, 1, 100, 500, and 2000 ng/mL), and three different time-point groups.The mRNA levels of E-cadherin,α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and colla-gen I in renal tubular epithelial cells were detected by Real-time PCR; the protein of E-cadherin, α-SMA were detected by Western blot.The cytoskeleton of epithelial cells was observed by phalloidin staining . Results Compared with the control group , the protein expression of E-cadherin deceased (0.950±0.901 vs 0.650±0.221) and the expression of α-SMA (1.380±0.062 vs 1.600±0.103) and collagen I increased in C3aR agonist group (500 ng/mL, after 48 hours) (P<0.05).In addition, the association between these changes and C3aR agonists was presented in a dose-and time-dependent man-ner, respectively.The cytoskeleton staining showed that treatment of renal tubular epithelial cells with C 3aR agonists induced the formation of actin stress fibers in a time-dependent manner . Conclusion The method for primary culture and identification of mouse renal tubular epithelial cells were successfully established .The activation of C3aR could induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in mouse primary renal epithelial cells , which plays an essential role in the de-velopment of renal fibrosis .Moreover , this study indicated that C 3aR may become a new therapeutic target in kidney diseases .

Objective To investigate the value of liver function indexes(AApea index) in evaluation of chronic hepatitis pathohistological grading.Methods The biochemical tests and histopathological data of 800 patients who underwent liver biopsy with step discriminant screen,serum ALT,TBil,AST,A/G,EP,PA,and ALB were assayed.A liver function index(AApea index) was calculated according to these biochemical tests,and compared with histopathological data in each patient.Results The AApea index had a significantly positive correlation with the histological inflammatory grading,fibrosis staging,and severe degree(correlation coefficient were 0 559,0 545 and 0 529 respectively,P

Objective To study the apoptotic changes in hepatocytes and the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins Bax and Bcl-2 in the liver tissue of a rat nonalcoholic steato-hepatitis (NASH) model, and explore the relationship between hepatocyte apoptosis and the degree of NASH pathological changes. Methods A rat model of NASH was reproduced with feeding a fat-rich diet for a period of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks. Cells apoptosis was evaluated by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), and the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins was detected by immunohistochemistry in rat liver tissue of control and model groups respectively. Results The number of TUNEL-positive cells was increased in the second week, peaking at the 8th week, and it was significantly correlated with steatosis and hepatic fibrosis (r=0.707 and 0.750, respectively, P0.05). The expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins were mainly located in cytoplasm of hepatocytes, some of which contained lipid droplets. Bax and Bcl-2 positive cells increased gradually with the progression of NASH. In early stage of modeling, the number of Bax positive cells was greater than that of Bcl-2, but the number of the both proteins tended to be about same in the late stage of modeling. Conclusion The cell apoptosis is a main pattern of liver damage in the process of NASH, and it is closely associated with the pathological changes. Proapoptosis protein Bax and antagonisitic protein Bcl-2 might participate in the modulation of hepatocytes apoptosis in the early stage of NASH, and they also have a marked effect in the whole process of NASH.