Objective The 4-and 16-hydroxylated metabolites of estrogens have been implicated in carcinogenesis,whereas its 2-hydroxylated metabolites have been shown to have antiangiogenic effects.We aimed to examine whether the polymorphisms of catechol-O-methyltransferase(COMT)involved in the estrogen metabolism are associated with endometrial cancer risk.Methods Polymerase chain reaction- restrictive fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP)analysis was used to study the variant allele frequency distributions of COMT Val158Met genetic polymorphism in a population based case-control study with 132 endometrial cancer cases and 110 controls.Odds ratios(OR)and 95% confidence intervals(CI) were estimated by unconditional logistic regression after adjustment for known or suspected risk factors for endometrial cancer.Results The most frequent genotype was COMT~(Val/Val)(47.2%,52/110)in control group and COMT~(Mal/Met)(58.3%,77/132)in endometrial cancer group.The difference between the two groups was of statistical significance(P

Objective To observe clone ability of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into infertile mouse seminife-rous tubules and the effects of MSCs on reproductive function.Methods Busulfan was used to destroy endogenous spermatogenesis of the recipient mice.To isolate,culture and purify MSCs with adherent method before marked with Brdu and Hoechst 33258 respectively,and then transplanted into the seminiferous tubules by microinjection.The survival of MSCs in recipient testes were evaluated by immunohistochemistry stained for Brdu and Fluorescent microscopy for Hoechst 33258 observation at different times.The diameter of seminiferous tubules was detected with HMIAS-2000 high-definition colored analyzing system for medical pictures.SPSS 13.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results The dosage of Busulfan resulted in 15% death in the mice,the testis of survived mice showed only basilar membrane in seminiferous tubules after 4 weeks.A lot of purified MSCs were obtained at the third generation and transplantation them into mouse seminiferous tubules survive for at least 4 months and appear to migration.The average diameter in experimental groups were higher than those in controls not only on 26 days but also on 120 days(P

Objective To investigate the possibility of inducing mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)from human umbilical cord Wharton's Jelly to differentiate into spermatogonia.Methods To isolate,culture and purify MSCs with adherent method,the growth and proliferation of human umbilical cord-derived MSCs were observed,and their immunophenotypes were determined by flow cytometry;MSCs of the third generation were divided into 2 groups to be induced and cultured,MSCs of the control group were cultured in basal medium,while those of the experimental group with conditional medium.The morphologic and ultrastructure changes of control group and experimental group cells were compared with phase contrast microscopy,electron microscopy(EM)and transmission electron microscope(TEM)respectively ;the spermatogonial cells differentiated were then evaluated by immunohistochemistry stained for CD117and CD49f ;the method of Western-blot was used to test if the cells induced could express CD49f.Results A population of MSCs were isolated from human umbilical Wharton's Jelly;they were processed to obtain a fibroblast-like population of cells and could be maintained in vitro for extended periods with stable population doubling;After induction,the shape of MSCs changed greatly from the fibroblast to the round,even familiar to the tadpole;expressed the known molecular markers of spermatogonial cells,such as CD49f,CD117.Conclusion The induced MSCs not only undergo spfermatogonial-cell like morphologic changes,ultramicrostructure mature with increasing cell organs,but also express the spermatogonial cell markers,which show that human umbilical cord derived MSCs are capable of differentiating into spermatogonial cell.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of quercetin on serum levels of resistin and interleukin (IL)-18 and incidence of insulin resistance (IR) in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) using a rat model.

METHODSNAFLD was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by administering a high-fat diet for four weeks. The model rats were then treated with quercetin (oral gavage administration; low dose group: 75 mg/kg/day, high dose group: 300 mg/kg/day) for eight weeks. Untreated model rats served as controls. Serum levels of resistin, triglyceride (TG), IL-18, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by standard biochemical assays before and after the quercetin administration. In addition, the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated and pathological changes in liver were observed by histological analysis.

RESULTSCompared to the untreated model rats, the quercetin treated model rats showed significantly lower serum resistin (5.98 vs. 2.70), serum IL-18 (10.93 vs. 8.21), FPG (7.45 vs. 4.99), FINS (12.69 vs. 8.59), and HOMA-IR (4.22 vs. 1.87) (all P less than 0.01). Compared to the untreated model group, the high dose group showed significantly lower TG (t = 4.70) and MDA (t = 5.14) (both P less than 0.01). Serum levels of resistin and IL-18, and levels of TG, FPG and FINS were found to be positively correlated with HOMA-IR and the degree of liver disease (r more than 0, all P less than 0.05). The degree of degeneration was decreased in accordance with the dosages of quercetin, as compared to the untreated model group (U = 4.41 and 2.19, both P less than 0.05), and the pathological degree was less extensive in the high dose group than in the low dose group (U = 2.44, P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONQuercetin treatment reduces levels of inflammatory cytokines and improves lipid peroxidation and IR in NAFLD rats, and its beneficial effects appear to increase with higher dosage.

Animals ; Insulin Resistance ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Quercetin ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Resistin

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFA) on inflammation in lung tissue of rats with severe scald and its mechanism.

METHODSSeventy-two adult SD rats were divided into sham scald group (SS, n = 8), treatment group 1 (T1, n = 32), treatment group 2 (T2, n = 32) according to the random number table. Rats in T1 group and T2 group were inflicted with 30% TBSA full-thickness scald, and then they were respectively injected with 100 g/L omega-3 PUFA (1 mL/kg) and 200 g/L long-chain fatty acid (2 mL/kg) via tail vein within 5 minutes after burn. The above two fatty acids with equivalent calories were continuously injected for 10 days (once a day). On post burn day (PBD) 1, 4, 7, and 10, serum level of TNF-alpha and level of macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha (MIP-lalpha) in lung homogenate of T1 and T2 groups were detected, the levels of NF-kappaBp65 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in lung tissue of T1 and T2 groups were observed with immunohistochemical staining (recorded as score). Above-mentioned parameters were also determined in SS group. Data were processed with t test.

RESULTSThe levels of 4 parameters in T1 and T2 groups on PBD 1, 4, 7, 10 were higher than those in SS group (with t values from 3.411 to 8.782, P values all below 0.01), and those in T1 group on PBD 4, 7, 10 were lower than those in T2 group (with t values from 2. 321 to 2.785, P values all below 0.05). The serum level of TNF-alpha and levels of MIP-1alpha, NF-kappaBp65, and MIF in lung tissue in SS group was respectively (0.96 +/- 0.32) ng/mL, (76 +/- 16) pg/mL, 0.24 +/- 0.03, 1.31 +/- 0.03, and those in T1 and T2 groups all peaked on PBD 7 [(2.43 +/- 0.32) ng/mL, (210 +/- 56) pg/mL, 4.23 +/- 2.15, 4.69 +/- 1.83; (3.15 +/- 0.54) ng/mL, (274 +/- 64) pg/mL, 5.15 +/- 2.31, 5.37 +/- 2.16].

CONCLUSIONSOmega-3 PUFA can effectively reduce serum level of TNF-alpha and levels of MIP-1alpha, NF-kappaBp65, and MIF in lung tissue of rats with severe scald, showing that it has a protective effect against injury of lung tissue.

Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemokine CCL3 ; metabolism ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Intramolecular Oxidoreductases ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of acupuncture on proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in brain tissues of rats with traumatic brain injuny.

METHODSThirty SD rats were randomly and equally allocated to the sham-operated, the model and the acupuncture groups. The traumatic brain injury model was established by the free drop method. For the rats in the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied once a day for 7 days. Brain histotomy was carried out when treatments were completed. Immunohistochemical techniques were adopted to detect the cells that express nestin, neurofilament proteins (NF)-200 and glial fibrillary acidic proteins (GFAP), the markers of neural stem cells, neurons, astrocytes respectively.

RESULTSCompared to the sham-operated group, the number of nestin-positive cells and NF-200-positive cells in brain tissues was decreased significantly in the model group (P < 0.01), whereas the number of GFAP-positive cells was significantly increased P<0.01). Compared to the model group, the positive cells of nestin, NF-200, GFAP in brain tissues in the acupuncture group were increased obviously (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAcupuncture can significantly increase the number of nestin-positive cells, NF-200-positive cells and GFAP-positive cells, indicating the significant increase of neural stem cells, neurons and astrocytes in number. Acupuncture can improve neuranagenesis by promoting the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in brain tissues. This might be one of the mechanisms for acupuncture to treat traumatic brain injury and to promote the repair of nervous function.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Brain ; pathology ; Brain Injuries ; pathology ; therapy ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cerebral Cortex ; pathology ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Nestin ; Neural Stem Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neurofilament Proteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVESTo analyze the relationship between oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL), angiogenesis and stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques in human coronary arteries; and to investigate the role of oxLDL in creating vulnerable sites in atherosclerotic plaques.

METHODSSamples of coronary arteries were obtained at autopsies of 42 patients with acute coronary syndrome. Eighty randomly selected blocks were studied by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against oxLDL and endothelial cells (factor VIII). Computer-aided planimeter was used for quantitative analysis.

RESULTSIn unstable plaques, percentage of immunoreactive areas for oxLDL was significantly higher than that in stable plaques. Most of the oxLDL were located in shoulder region of these plaques, as compared to the fibrous cap and basal regions. The details of distribution of oxLDL were as follows: shoulder region (20.43 +/- 3.12 for unstable plaques and 17.65 +/- 4.22 for stable plaques), fibrous cap (4.77 +/- 2.03 for unstable plaque and 2.80 +/- 0.22 for stable plaques) and basal region (5.65 +/- 1.65 for unstable plaques and 3.22 +/- 1.02 for unstable plaques). OxLDL was also a main component in the lipid core. In the shoulder region, there was a significant positive correlation between neovascularization and oxLDL (r = 0.8247, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSThe amount of oxLDL is significantly higher in unstable atherosclerotic plaques, especially over the shoulder region. OxLDL in coronary atherosclerotic plaques is thus an important factor in determining stabilization of the plaques. OxLDL may induce influx of inflammatory cells which subsequently leads to decreased plaque stabilization.

Angina, Unstable ; metabolism ; pathology ; Coronary Artery Disease ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology

AIMTo evaluate the relaxant effect of verapamil on human corpus cavernosum in vitro and to assess the drug's potential as a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODSPreparations of the human corpus cavernosum were obtained from recently deceased young men who had had normal erectile function. The isometric tension and detailed curves were recorded when contractions induced by 10 micromol/L phenylephrine were reduced by different doses of verapamil or the vehicle control (sterile water). The tension of human corpus cavernosum preparations are described as a percentage of their top tension before adding verapamil or the vehicle. ANOVA and least significant difference tests were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTSDoses of 1 micromol/L, 10 micromol/L and 100 micromol/L verapamil resulted in relaxation of (35.28+/-7.96)%, (55.91+/-6.41)%, (85.68+/-4.16)% after 30 min, respectively. The vehicle control at the same time point produced relaxation of (-0.06+/-10.57)% (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONVerapamil is significantly effective in relaxing normal human corpus cavernous smooth muscle induced by phenylephrine in vitro and the relaxant effect depends on the concentration of verapamil.

Adult ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Muscle Relaxation ; drug effects ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; drug effects ; physiology ; Penis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Verapamil ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of glutamine on intestinal barrier function by examining the changes of plasma D-lactic levels and diamine oxidase (DAO) levels in plasma and intestinal tissue after glutamine intervention in young rats with endotoxemia.

METHODSEighty 18-day-old rats were randomly divided into endotoxemia and glutamine intervention groups (n=40 each). Endotoxemia was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. Plasma and small intestine homogenate were collected 1.5, 6, 24 and 72 hrs and 7 days after LPS injection. The glutamine intervention group was immediately administered with oral glutamine (2 g/kg) after LPS injection. Afterwards, glutamine was administered once daily. Plasma D-lactic and DAO levels and intestinal DAO levels were measured.

RESULTSPlasma DAO activity in the glutamine intervention group was significantly lower than that in the endotoxemia group 6 and 72 hrs after LPS injection (P<0.05). In contrast, the intestinal DAO activity in the glutamine intervention group was significantly higher than that in the endotoxemia group 6, 24 and 72 hrs and 7 days after LPS injection (P<0.05 or 0.01). Plasma D-lactic levels in the glutamine intervention group were significantly lower than those in the endotoxemia group 6, 24 and 72 hrs and 7 days after LPS injection (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSGlutamine may reduce the permeability of intestinal mucosa, and thus provides protective effects on intestinal barrier function in rats with endotoxemia.

Administration, Oral ; Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) ; metabolism ; Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; Endotoxemia ; metabolism ; Female ; Glutamine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Intestines ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lactic Acid ; blood ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

· Cornea is an important part ofhuman's refractive system.Corneal biomechanics plays an important role in corneal ectasia and related diseases.The corneal biomechanics measured in vitro and in vivo and its clinical application in system diseases and elastic corneal disease,glaucoma,myopic are reviewed in this literature summary.