ObjectiveTo evaluate the efffects dexamethasone (DEX) administration at different times on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) injury and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) activity in mice.Methods Tirty-five healthy male Kunming mice weighing 20-24 g were randomly divided into 5 groups( n =7 each): Sham operation group (group Ⅰ ); intestinal I/R group (group Ⅱ ); DEX administration before ischemia group (group Ⅲ ); DEX administration during ischemia group ( group Ⅳ) and DEX administration at the begining of reperfusion group (group Ⅴ ).Intestinal I/R injury was induced by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 30 min.Normal saline10 mg/kg,DEX 10 mg/kg was injected iv at 30 min before ischemia in groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ respectively.DEX 10 mg/kg was injected iv at 5 min of ischemia in groupⅣ and immediately at the begining of reperfusion in group Ⅴ.The mice were sacrificed at 3 h of reperfusion,and then the small intestinal tissues were taken for determination of intestinal pathological score( Chiu score),iNOS activity and nitric oxide (NO) content.ResultsChiu score was significantly higher in groups Ⅱ - Ⅴ,and iNOS activity and NO content were sinificantly higher in groups Ⅱ,Ⅳ and Ⅴ than in group Ⅰ ( P ＜ 0.05).Chiu score,iNOS activity and NO content were sinificantly lower in group Ⅲ,and were higher in group Ⅴ than in group Ⅱ ( P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the indexes mentioned above between groups Ⅱ and Ⅳ ( P ＞ 0.05).ConclusionDEX administration before ischemia can reduce intestinal I/R injury by inhibiting iNOS activity; DEX administration during ischemia has no effcet on intestinal I/R injury and iNOS activity; DEX administration at the begining of reperfusion aggravates intestinal I/R injury by enhancing iNOS activity.

Objective To investigate a Chinese pedigree suffering from Leydig cell hypoplasia ( LCH) based on clinical data and genetic diagnosis. Methods The patient was diagnosed by means of clinical data, hormone profiles, and human chorionic gonadotropin ( hCC) test. The luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor(LHCGR) gene of the patient and family members was amplified and sequenced. Results The patient presented with male pseudohermaphroditism, low level of testosterone, which did not respond to hCG. Genetic analysis of the LHCGR revealed two novel mutations: a missense mutation located in exon 5, resulting in Ile replaced by Thr in the extracellular domain; and a splice site mutation in the 3' terminal of intron 6( IVS6-3 C→A). Proband's sister (46, XX) who lacked clinical manifestations showed the identical genotype with the patient. Conclusions A mutation in the consensus sequence of 3' splice site, in addition to a missense mutation (Ile 152Thr)in the extracellular ligand-binding domain is the cause of inactivation of the LHCGR gene in patient with Leydig cell hypoplasia.

In order to explore new ways in restraining the ascending blood pressure, this paper reports a research on the effects of multi-mode audio frequency pulse modulating laser irradiation with electrical stimulation on the hemorrheology and blood pressure of the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Forty male SHR were randomly divided into four groups: Group A (control), Group B (treated with electrical stimulation on stomach 36 point (ST-36)), Group C (treated with low level pulse laser irradiation on Erjian acupuncture point), Group D (low level laser irradiation together with electrical stimulation on Erjian acupuncture point and ST-36). Laser irradiation lasted for 45 min/ day, while electrical stimulation lasted for 30 min/day. After 10 days' treatment, we compared the hemorrheology and blood pressure of the rats in the four groups. The results were that values of hemorrheology in group A and group C were obviously improved compared with those in the other two groups. Meanwhile, the blood pressures in the three treated groups (B, C, and D) were lower than in the control group after the treatment, and the value of the rats in group A was the lowest. In conclusion, the treatment the laser irradiation combined with electrodes stimulation on spontaneously hypertensive rats brought better results of hemorrheology and blood pressure in the tested rats.
Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Blood Viscosity ; Electric Stimulation ; Electroacupuncture ; Hemorheology ; physiology ; Hypertension ; blood ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Laser Therapy ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR

Objective To investigate the adrenal steroidogenic function in genotype-proven heterozygotes carrying mutations in CYP17A1 gene in vivo. Methods Eight patients and 14 family members from 5 families with 17-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency (17OHD) were recruited. The mutations of the CYP17A1 gene in these individuals were screened by direct sequencing of PCR products. The hormonal response to ACTH was evaluated in the 14 genotype-proven carriers and 45 age- and sex-matched normal subjects. Results Three mutations were found in 5 unrelated families. 14 carriers with CYP17A1 mutation were identified, including 7 heterozygotes with D487_F489del, 6 with Y329fs, and 1 for H373L. Compared to the normal subjects, the carriers exhibited lower basal and ACTH-stimulated cortisol levels, but higher ACTH-stimulated corticosterone level. The ratios of corticosterone to cortisol in the genotype-proven heterozygotes were higher than those of normal individuals at baseline and following ACTH-stimulation. Similarly, progesterone level and ratios of progesterone to 17-hydroxyprogesterone in the male heterozygotes were also higher than that of normal individuals before and after stimulation. No significant differences were observed in the hormone levels between two genotypes (D487_F489del vs Y329fs). Conclusions Genotype-proven carriers of 17OHD without apparent clinical symptoms exhibit decreased enzyme activity,analogous to mildly impaired adrenal 21-hydroxylase activity in the carriers of CYP21 A2 gene mutation.