OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between phlegm-stasis syndrome (PSS) and the fibrinolytic status in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL).

METHODSSeventy patients with NAFL were divided into the PSS group and non-PSS group according to TCM Syndrome typing, and a control group consisted of 28 healthy subjects was set up. Levels of plasminogen (PLG), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and D-dimer were determined and compared.

RESULTSThe activity of t-PA in NAFL patients was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05), and PLG and PAI-1 were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). In respect to the TCM Syndrome typing, in patients of PSS, t-PA was significantly lower and PLG, PAI-1 were significantly higher than those in patients of non-PSS (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while D-dimer was insignificantly different between patients of the two Syndrome types (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONNAFL patients of PSS type shows significant lower of fibrinolytic activity, indicating that there is certain degree of microcirculatory disturbance and hyper viscosity state, so the application of dissolving phlegm and dispelling stasis principle in treating NAFL is significant.

Adult ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fatty Liver ; blood ; diagnosis ; Female ; Fibrinolysis ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Plasminogen ; metabolism ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; blood ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; blood

AIMTo investigate the influences of testosterone with varied concentrations on the functions of HUVEC.

METHODSHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells within 2-3 passages were cultured with testosterone (3 x 10(-10) to 3 x 10(-8), 3 x 10(-6), 3 x 10(-5) mol/ L), and the control confluent cells were cultured in the same medium without steroid. MTT experiment was repeated for 7 days to investigate each groups' cell proliferation. The values of NO were tested as recommended. The tPA and PAI-1 antigen levels were assayed with ELISA Kits.

RESULTSTestosterone at physiologic or lower concentrations (3 x 10(-10) to 3 x 10(-8) mol/L ) had no adverse effect on A490 and NO level, meanwhile, stimulated the secretion of tPA (P < 0.01). However, tPA levels markedly reduced at larger dose (3 x 10(-6) to 3 x 10(-5) mol/L). On the other hand, PAI-1 antigen levels decreased significantly at the testosterone concentrations ranging from 3 x 10(-10) to 3 x 10(-5) mol/L (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTestosterone at physiologically relevant concentrations affectively decreased PAI-1, while increased tPA levels, which suggested that testosterone might have beneficial effects on the Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and cardiovascular system to prevent atherosclerosis.

Cells, Cultured ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; pharmacology ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; metabolism

The present study was performed to investigate the relationship between the concentrations of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) and the CT images in 23 cases of chronic subdural hematomas (SDHs). The concentrations of t-PA and PAI-1 were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Chronic SDHs were divided into five groups according to their appearance on computed tomography: high-density (n = 4), isodensity (n = 8), low-density (n = 5), mixed-density (n = 3), layering (n = 3) types. The volume of hematoma was measured with an image analyzing software program. The concentrations of t-PA were higher in layering (41.2 +/- 0.3 ng/ml, mean +/- standard error of the mean) and high-density (40.0 +/- 1.1 ng/ml) types compared to those of low-density (23.3 +/- 4.1 ng/ml) and iso-density (25.1 +/- 3.7 ng/ml) types. The concentrations of PAI-1 were lower in layering (95.9 +/- 1.0 ng/ml) and high-density (103.4 +/- 34.5 ng/ml) types compared to that of low-density (192.5 +/- 2.6 ng/ml) type. So the ratio between t-PA and PAI-1 (t-PA/PAI) was greater in layering and high-density types. The volume of hematoma was larger in mixed-density and layering types but statistically insignificant. These results presumably suggest that the ratio between t-PA and PAI concentration may contribute to the pathogenesis of the chronic SDH.
Adult ; Aged ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hematoma, Subdural/*metabolism ; Human ; Male ; Middle Age ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1/*analysis ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator/*analysis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this work was to investigate the distribution pattern of fibrinolytic factors and their inhibitors in rabbit tissues.

METHODSThe components of the fibrinolytic system in extracts from a variety of rabbit tissues, including tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), plasminogen (Plg), plasmin (Pl) and alpha(2) plasmin inhibitor (alpha(2)PI), were determined by colorimetric assay.

RESULTSThe tissue extracts in renal, small intestine, lung, brain and spleen demonstrated strong fibrinolytic function, in which high activity of tPA, Plg and Pl was manifested; whereas in skeletal muscle, tongue and stomach, higher activity of PAI-1 and alpha(2)PI showed obviously. Also excellent linear correlations were found between levels of tPA and PAI-1, Pl and alpha(2)PI, Plg and Pl. In related tissues, renal cortex and renal marrow showed distinctly higher activity of tPA and lower activity of PAI-1, with the levels of Plg and Pl in renal cortex being higher than those in renal marrow, where the alpha(2)PI level was higher than that in renal cortex. Similarly, the levels of tPA, Plg and Pl in small intestine were higher than those in large intestine, but with respect to PAI-1 and alpha(2)PI, the matter was reverse. In addition, the fibrinolytic activity in muscle tissue was lower, however, the levels of tPA, Plg, and Pl in cardiac muscle were obviously higher than those in skeletal muscles, and the levels of PAI-1 and alpha(2)PI were significantly lower than those in skeletal muscle.

CONCLUSIONOur data demonstrate that a remarkable difference of the fibrinolytic patterns exists in rabbit tissues, which has probable profound significance in understanding the relationship between the function of haemostasis or thrombosis and the physiologic function in tissues.

Animals ; Female ; Fibrinolysin ; metabolism ; Fibrinolysis ; Gastric Mucosa ; metabolism ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; metabolism ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Male ; Organ Specificity ; Plasminogen ; metabolism ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Tissue Extracts ; metabolism ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; metabolism ; alpha-2-Antiplasmin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of antisense KLF4 (Krüppel-like factor 4) gene on the expression of vWF and PAI-1 in endothelial cells.

METHODSHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were isolated from umbilical vein and cultured in endothelial cell medium. The recombinant adenoviral plasmid carrying the antisense KLF4 gene was constructed by homologous recombination. KLF4, PAI-1 and vWF mRNAs and proteins expression were detected by real time-PCR, Western blot, and confocal laser microscopy.

RESULTSRecombinant adenoviral plasmid carrying the antisense KLF4 gene (Ad-KLF4AS) was constructed successfully. Compared with the control Ad-GFP infection group, Ad-KLF4AS at a 200 MOI can down-regulate the expression of KLF4 gene in HUVEC (from 0.59 ± 0.01 to 0.44 ± 0.06) (P < 0.05), and increase vWF mRNA (from 1.04 ± 0.03 to 1.17 ± 0.05) and protein expression (P < 0.05). PAI-1 mRNA and protein of Ad-KLF4AS infection group was higher than that of Ad-GFP infection group. PAI-1 mRNA between the two groups had no significant difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDown-regulation of KLF4 leads to increase in expression of vWF and PAI-1 in endothelial cells. KLF4 might play an important role in regulation of endothelial coagulant function.

Cells, Cultured ; Down-Regulation ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Endothelium ; Endothelium, Vascular ; metabolism ; Humans ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

BACKGROUND: There are many reports about the correlation between cardiovascular disorders and estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women. The purpose of current study is to know that postmenopausal estrogen therapy may affect the lipid metabolism and endogenous fibrinolytic system and exercise tolerance. METHOD: We investigated the relation of estrogen treatment (srogen 0.625 mg/day) to serum lipid levels, angiotensin converting enzyme activity, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and parameters of treadmill test in 22 postmenopausal women of normal coronary artery with abnormal exercise test complained with chest pain accompanied by postmenopausal symptoms. RESULTS: Estrogen treatment significantly elevated the serum HDL-cholesterol level (42.8 to 50.1 mg/dl, p<0.05) and reduced the PAI-1 level (16.2 to 10.4 ng/dl, p<0.01) without considerable side effects. During the exercise test, the positivity appearance time and total exercise duration is significantly increased after estrogen treatment. CONCLUSION: The postmenopausal use of estrogen favorably changed the lipid level, fibrinolytic system and might improve the microcirculation which may protect against the ischemic heart disease risk without significant side effects.
Chest Pain ; Coronary Vessels ; Estrogens* ; Exercise Test ; Exercise Tolerance ; Female ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; Microcirculation ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; Plasminogen Activators ; Postmenopause

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of silicosis by observing the effects of silica on the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) in human alveolar epithelial cells type II (A549).

METHODSA549 cell and SiO(2) (200 microg /ml) were co-cultured for 0, 4, 8, 16 and 24 h respectively. The reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting and SP immunocytochemistry were used for detections of the PAI-1 mRNA and protein expression. The nucleoprotein and total protein expression of AP-1 were investigated by Western blotting.

RESULTSThe expression levels of PAI-1 mRNA and protein were increased in a time-dependent manner(r(mRNA) = 0.911, r(protein) = 0.902, P < 0.05). The expressions of PAI-1 mRNA and protein in experimental groups were higher than that in control group (P < 0.05) and was the highest in 24 h group [(0.73 +/- 0.01) vs (0.36 +/- .03)]. The nucleoprotein expressions of c-jun/c-fos in experimental groups were also higher than in control group (P < 0.05), and the nucleoprotein expression level of c-jun was the highest in 4 h group [(1.54 +/- 0.02) vs (0.56 +/- 0.03)]; the nucleoprotein expression level of c-fos was the highest in 8 h group [(0.36 +/- 0.01) vs (0.15 +/- 0.01)]. Both c-jun and c-fos expression were decreased after 16 h, but the total protein expression of c-jun/c-fos had no difference in all experimental groups. The positive signal of PAI-1 was located in cytoplasm and nucleus.

CONCLUSIONSiO(2) could induce PAI-1 expression of A549 in a time-dependent manner, and AP-1 activation can be observed in early time.

Alveolar Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; metabolism ; Silicon Dioxide ; toxicity ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEArrested lung development and lung fibrosis are characteristic pathological changes in chronic lung disease (CLD). Therefore, the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in lung fibrosis has been emphasized recently. Plasmin system is also an important factor to modulate ECM degradation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) system. In this study, the authors established an animal model of CLD induced by inhaling high concentration oxygen (hyperoxia) to investigate the changes and functions of urokinase-plasminogen activator (u-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in CLD.

METHODSFull-term newborn rats were continuously exposed to oxygen (0.90 - 0.95 O(2)) or room air within 12 h after birth. On day 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 in hyperoxia groups and air controls, lung pathology in newborn rats were observed. The changes of u-PA and PAI-1 protein and mRNA expression were measured by Western blotting and RT-PCR.

RESULTS(1) The pathological findings of the lung tissue: on day 3, there was a few inflammatory cells exuded out, bleeding, edema, and interstitial cells increased in hyperoxia group. On day 7 and thereafter, the terminal air space size of the oxygen-exposed rat became large, there was inflammatory response and more interstitial cells, interstitium was thicker, and collagen deposited. (2) u-PA expression: On day 3, the u-PA protein expression increased in hyperoxia group compared with controls (115.52 +/- 7.10 vs. 96.51 +/- 6.33), P < 0.01. On day 7 to day 21, u-PA protein expression (97.66 +/- 7.98, 99.91 +/- 7.60, 103.23 +/- 6.24) was lower than in the control groups (112.43 +/- 6.01, 123.25 +/- 8.35, 103.23 +/- 6.24), P < 0.05, < 0.01 and < 0.01, respectively. u-PA mRNA increased on d 3 in hyperoxia group compared with controls (1.18 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.99 +/- 0.05), P < 0.01. On d 7 to 21, mRNA expression (1.01 +/- 0.06, 1.10 +/- 0.12, 1.27 +/- 0.06) was lower than that in the controls (1.15 +/- 0.08, 1.51 +/- 0.32, 1.60 +/- 0.24) too, P < 0.01. (3) PAI-1 expression: From d 7 to 21 of oxygen exposure, PAI-1 protein expression (147.83 +/- 12.27, 149.07 +/- 11.17, 161.42 +/- 13.08) increased compared with the controls (116.18 +/- 10.67, 113.73 +/- 15.58, 126.60 +/- 8.59), P < 0.01, < 0.05 and < 0.01, respectively. mRNA expression (1.49 +/- 0.28, 1.46 +/- 0.31, 1.51 +/- 0.33) increased compared with the control group (0.94 +/- 0.01, 0.94 +/- 0.03, 0.98 +/- 0.03), P < 0.05, < 0.01 and < 0.05, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSIn the early stage of hyperoxic exposure, the balance of u-PA/PAI-1 mRNA and protein increased, plasmin and degradation activity increased, which may increase the degradation of ECM in lung base membrane. During the middle and late stage, the expression of u-PA/PAI-1 mRNA and protein decreased, plasmin and degradation activity were lower, in parallel to thicker interstitium, suggesting that the imbalance of u-PA/PAI-1 may also play a role in lung fibrosis in CLD induced by hyperoxia.

Animals ; Female ; Hyperoxia ; complications ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo assess the influence of laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection on the peritoneal microstructure injury and expression of t-PA/PAI-1 molecules.

METHODSA total of 50 patients with colorectal cancer were prospectively enrolled between June 2011 and February 2012 in the Shanxi Provincial Hospital and were assigned into laparoscopic group (LO, n=27) and conventional laparotomy group (CO, n=23) based on patients expectancy and surgeon decision. Optical microscope and scanning electron microscope were employed for comparison of the postoperative peritoneal injury between LO and CO. Before and after surgery, t-PA and PAI-1 of peritoneal tissue were determined by ELISA in both groups.

RESULTSOptical microscope and scanning electronic microscopy scan indicated less serosal injury in LO group than that in CO group with regard to serosa integrity, continuity of covering adipocytes and mesothelial cells, and the aggregation level of inflammatory cells (P<0.01). The injury score was 38.22 in CO in and 14.67 in LO and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). No significant differences were found between LO and CO in terms of postoperative t-PA in the omentum, t-PA and PAI-1 in the intestinal serosa tissue (P>0.05), however PAI-1 in the omentum was significantly lower in LO group compared to CO group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONLaparoscopic radical resection for colorectal cancer causes less peritoneal structural injury and less influence on the fibrinolytic capacity, which may contribute to less postoperative adhesion.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; surgery ; Colorectal Surgery ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peritoneum ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; metabolism ; Prospective Studies ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the role of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the kidney of KKAy mice with type 2 diabetes.

METHODSKKAy mice, a type 2 diabetic animal model, and C57BL-J mice were sacrificed at 16, 20, and 24 weeks of age, respectively. The local expression of renal laminin was analyzed with immunohistochemistry. Chromogenic substance was used to show the activity of PAI-1. The mRNA expression of tPA was determined by RT-PCR. The mRNA expression of PAI-1 was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSLaminnin expression was significantly increased in all age groups of KKAy mice. The tPA mRNA was significantly lower than that in C57BL mice, especially at the age of 16w (only 47%). Otherwise the PAI-1 mRNA expression was remarkably up-regulated than that in C57BL mice.

CONCLUSIONIn type 2 diabetes KKAy mice, the accumulation of ECM may be associated with the abnormal expression of PAI-1/tPA mRNA.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; metabolism ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; biosynthesis ; genetics