The incidence of toxic keratopatby is increasing yearly.Due to the shortage of specific clinical manifestations,the diagnosis and treatment of the disease are relatively difficult,hence toxic keratopathy has received extensive attention of the domestic and abroad scholars.In recent years,with the development of ophthalmic examination technology and progress of instruments,its mechanism,diagnosis and treatment have been newly cognized.These three aspects will be reviewed in this article.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Flos Daturae alkaloids (FDA) on TGF-beta1-1uuuu;U epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human pulmonary adenocarcinoma A549 cells.

METHODSA549 cells in vitro cultured were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the blank control group, the TGF-beta1 group, the low dose FDA group, the medium dose FDA group, and the high dose FDA group. The morphologies of A549 cells were observed. Expressions of cytokeratin (CK)-19 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) were detected by Western blot and real-time PCR at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively.

RESULTSA549 cells in the TGF-beta1, group turned from cobblestone to spindle shape gradually. Those in low, medium and high dose FDA groups showed similar shapes to those of the TGF-beta1 group. There was no statistical difference in the morphology of A549 cells among the 3 dose FDA groups (P > 0.05). Western blot showed that, when compared with the blank control group, the expression of CK-19 was down-regulated, but the expression of alpha-SMA was up-regulated in the TGF-beta1 group (P < 0.01). Compared with the TGF-beta1, group, the expression of CK-19 was up-regulated, but the expression of alpha-SMA was suppressed in low, medium and high dose FDA groups (P < 0.01). The CK-19 expression obviously increased, but the alpha-SMA expression was suppressed in high dose FDA group at 72 h (P < 0.01). Real-time PCR results showed, as compared with the TGF-beta1 group, the mRNA expression of CK-19 was increased, but the mRNA expression of alpha-SMA was reduced in low, medium and high dose FDA groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSFDA had no effect on EMT morphological changes of TGF-beta1 induced A549 cells. FDA could reverse characteristic markers of A549 cells during EMT to some extent, such as expressions of CK-19 and alpha-SMA. The expression of CK-19 (as the epithelium marker) increased and the expression of alpha-SMA (as the mesenchymal marker) was reduced. Besides, they were most obviously seen in the high dose FDA group at 72 h in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

Actins ; Adenocarcinoma ; Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Datura ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Coke ; Fatty Liver ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Risk Factors

Objective To investigate the relationship between expression of active form of caspase-3 and cell cycle in Fas-mediated apoptosis of B lymphocytoma cell line MML-1. Methods MML-1 cells were incubated with agonistic anti-Fas antibody for different time,and cell apoptosis was induced.Cell apoptotic rates were analysed by flow cytometry,and sensitivity of MML-1 cells to apoptosis was determined.The expression of active form of caspase-3 was analysed by double staining with PI-Triton X and FITC-active caspase-3.Cyclin A,B_1 and E were selected as cell cycle markers for S,G_2/M and G_1 phase of MML-1 cells,and the expression of active form of caspase-3 was detected by flow cytometry. Results The cell apoptotic rate reached 56% after induction by Fas for 6 h.After induction by Fas for 4 h,the active form of caspase-3 was mainly expressed in cells of G_1 phase,while rarely in cells of S and G_2/M phase.Cells with negative cyclin A and B_1 and positive cyclin E expressed active form of caspase-3. Conclusion The expression of active form of caspase-3 in MML-1 cells mediated by Fas might be cell cycle dependent.Cells entering into late G_1 and early S phase first express active form of caspase-3,and their sensitivity to Fas-mediated apoptosis is the highest.

Background Retinal retinoic acid (RA) plays an important role in the formation of the lensinduced myopia.However,it is not clear how RA transfer the myopic signal to choroid throughout the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) barrier.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) on the barrier of RPE in lens-induced myopic eye of guinea pig.Methods Thirty left eyes of 30 21-dayold clean guinea pigs were randomized into normal control group and the model group.The models of out of focus were induced by covering of-6.00 D concave lens on the left eyes for 15 days.Radius of corneal curvature was measured using corneal curvimeter,and diopeter of the guinea pig was examined by mydriatic optometry.The length of ocular axis was detected by A-sonography.The animals were sacrificed and the retinas of the left eyes were isolated for the culture and passage of RPE cells.The third generation of cells were incubated Millcell-PET microporous film,and atRA at the concentration of 1 × 10-6,1 × 10-7,1 × 10-8 and 1 × 10-9 mol/L was added to the micropore respectively for 12 hours,and the micropores with equal-solvent served as negative control group.Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT)colorimetric method was used to detect the survival rate of the cells.Subsequently,the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) of the monolayer cells was determined with CN10-EVOM2 resistance measuring meter.The vesicular transport change of RPE membrane in different groups was evaluated by FM1-43 fluorescence staining.Results The mean diopter was (-2.20±0.95) D in the models,and that in the controls was (+ 1.15 ±0.30) D,with a significant difference between them (t =14.57,P＜ 0.01).The axial length was (8.24 ± 0.09) mm in the models and it was significantly longer than (7.81±0.05) mm in the controls (t=17.20,P＜0.01).RPE cells grew well to form a monolayer in Millcell culture pool after one week.After 24 hours of the atRA treatment,the survival rate of RPE cells reduced gradually with the increase of atRA concentration with the highest rate in the 1 × 10-9 mol/L atRA group (93.3 ％) and followed by the 1 × 10-8 mol/L atRA group (88.2％).More than half of the cells dead in the 1 × 10-6mol/L and 1 × 10-7mol/L atRA groups (53.8％ and 47.1％).Significant differences in the TER value and fluorescence staining intensity of the cells were seen among the various groups (F =43.89,P =0.00 ; F =26.13,P =0.00),with the maximal values in the 1 × 10-8mol/L atRA group.The FM1-43 fluorescence located on the cellular membrane and cytoplasm.Conclusions AtRA can increase the functional state of tight junction and vesicular transport,which regulated the RPE cell barrier in the guinea pig.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Salvianolic acid B preconditioned endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on the Nkx2.5 and GATA-4 gene expressions at the early stage of cell differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSc) transplanted into infarcted myocardium, in order to find out the best synergism for co-transplantation of the two kinds of cells.

METHODSBMSc and EPCs of rats were isolated and cultured, and rats were modeled into acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by left coronary artery ligation. Then the EPCs preconditioned with different concentrations of Salvianolic acid B and BMSc or DMEM medium were implanted into heart ischemia area. Expressions of Nkx2.5 and GATA-4 mRNA expressions in myocardium were detected by Real-time RT-PCR 4 weeks later.

RESULTSCompared with those in the non-implanted model rats' myocardium, the gene expression of Nkx2.5 and GATA-4 mRNA were significantly higher in all the transplantation receptive groups, comparisons between the implanted groups showed that the highest value of expressions (2. 654 +/- 0.606 of Nkx2.5 and 1.573 +/- 0.372 of GATA-4) displayed in the group contained more EPCs, for 8-fold to BMSc in volume.

CONCLUSIONBMSc can differentiate into cardiac muscle like cells, and condition of their differentiation is related with the degree of the internal environment improved.

Animals ; Benzofurans ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; transplantation ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; therapy ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) on the oxidative stress in the skeletal muscles of rats with postoperative fatigue syndrome (POFS) and to study its anti-fatigue mechanisms.

METHODSThe POFS model was established using resection of 70% of mid-small intestine. Ninety-six Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were screened using grasping test. The rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, and the GRb1 treated group (at 10 mg/kg) by the body weight. The maximum grip strength of rats was detected on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 10th day after operation, respectively. The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the maximum grip strength was obviously enhanced on the postoperative day 7 and 10 (P < 0. 05), the MDA content obviously decreased on the postoperative day 3 and 7 (P < 0.05), the SOD activity obviously increased in the GRb1 treated group (P < 0.05). There was no obvious change in the activities of CAT and GSH-PX among the three groups at each time point (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGRb1 could reduce the oxidative stress injury in the skeletal muscles, improve the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and enhance the functions of the skeletal muscles in POFS rats, which may be important reasons for fighting against POFS.

Animals ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Fatigue ; etiology ; metabolism ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Muscle, Skeletal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Postoperative Period ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE To observe the changing laws of the protein expression of N-methyl D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) in rat hippocampal subfields following focal ischemia/reperfusion injury, and to study the effects of sodium tanshinone B (STB) on it, thus exploring the possible mechanism of STB for treating cerebral ischemia.

METHODSThe rat model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was established using middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) by reversibly inserting a nylon thread. The Wistar rats were randomly divided into the sham-operation group, the I/R model group, and the low, middle, and high dose STB groups. The neural functional disturbance was scored referring to the 5-grade Zea Longa EL standard. The protein expression of NMDAR1 in the ischemic side was detected using immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTSThere was statistical difference in the scores of the neural functional disturbance in the middle and high dose STB groups when compared with the model group (P < 0.01). Results of the immunohistochemical assay showed the expression of NMDAR1 in CA1 region was obviously higher in the I/R model group, the low and middle dose STB groups than in the sham-operation group (P < 0.01). The expression of NMDAR1 in CA1 region was obviously lower in the high dose STB group than in the I/R model group (P < 0.01), the low (P < 0.01) and middle dose STB groups (P < 0.05). The expression of NMDAR1 in CA3 region was obviously higher in the low dose STB group and the I/R model group than in the sham-operation group, the middle and high dose STB groups (P < 0.01). The expression of NMDAR1 in CA3 region was obviously higher in the high and middle dose STB groups than in the sham-operation group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSTB could promote the recovery of neural functions in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury rats. STB fought against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by lowering excitable neurotransmitter glumatic acid and reducing the protein expression of NMDAR1.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To study the apoptosis of retina and the expression of c-myc protein in form-deprivation myopia. METHODS: Two-day-old chickens were sutured with right eyelid for 4, 8 and 12 weeks. After measurement of refracation, the eyeballs were observed by light microscope and taken photos. Retinal apoptotic cells were measured by TUNEL staining and flow cytometry. C-myc protein were examined by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Lacquer crack lesions were found in sutured eyes at 12 weeks. Apoptotic cells were observed in retinal outer and inner nuclear layer of the sutured eyes at 12 weeks and obvious peak of apoptosis was observed in sutured eyes at 12 weeks. The expression of c-myc protein was significantly more than control eyes at 8 and 12 weeks. CONCLUSION The apoptosis of retinal was present in form-deprivation myopia with the degeneration of retina. C-myc protein plays an important role in retinal apoptosis of myopia.
Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Chickens ; Flow Cytometry ; Myopia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Retina ; metabolism ; pathology

Atrioventricular Block ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Humans