Objective To investigate the effect of interleukin-1 (IL-1) on contractile function of rat thoracic aorta.Methods Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 250-300 g,were sacrificed to obtain the thoracic aortic rings.The experiment was performed in 2 parts.Part Ⅰ The thoracic aortic rings were divided into 2 segments and randomly divided into 2 groups (n =20 each):control group and IL-1 group.In IL-1 group,the thoracic aortic rings were incubated with Kreb solution containing 20 ng/ml IL-1 for 2 h,and contracted with cumulative concentrations of phenylephrine,ranging from 10-9 to 10-5mol/L.In control group,the thoracic aortic rings were incubated with Kreb solution for 2 h,and contracted with cumulative concentrations of phenylephrine,ranging from 10 9 to 10-5mol/L.Part Ⅱ The thoracic aortic rings were divided into 3 segments and randomly divided into 3 groups (n=20 each):IL-1 group,IL-1+ L-NAME (the NOS inhibitor) group and IL-1 +cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin group (IL-1 +Ⅰgroup).The thoracic aortic rings were incubated with Kreb solution containing 20 ng/ml IL-1 for 1.5 h in the three groups.In addition,in IL-1 +L-NAME and IL-1 +Ⅰ groups,the thoracic aortic rings were incubated for 30 min with Kreb solution containing 100 μmol/L L-NAME and 2.5 mmol/L indomethacin,respectively.Contraction of the thoracic aorta was then induced with cumulative concentrations of phenylephrine,ranging from 10 9 to 10-5 mol/L.In group IL-1,the thoracic aortic rings were incubated with Kreb solution.The maximum contractile tension of the thoracic aortic rings was recorded at each concentration of phenylephrine,and the percentage of the maximum contractile tension at the concentration of 10-6 mol/L in group C was obtained.Results Part Ⅰ The percentage of contractile tension at phenylephrine 10-s,10-7,l0 6 and 10-5mol/L was significantly decreased in IL-1 group as compared with C group.Part Ⅱ The percentage of contractile tension at phenylephrine 10-7,10-6 and 10-5mol/L was significantly increased in IL-1+L-NAME and IL-1+I groups as compared with IL-1 group.Conclusion IL-1 can inhibit the contraction of rat thoracic aorta,and promoted production of NO and prostacyclin may be involved in the mechanism.

Objective To study the clinical effect of the treatment for knee osteoarthritis by dissolving the phlegm-stasis.Methods The 100 cases of knee osteoarthritis were randomized into the treatment group and control group with 50 in each.The former was treated by oral administration of Chinese herbal medicine while the latter by oral administration of Votalin and vitamin C.One week as one course,two courses in succession.The comparative analysis on symptom score and therapeutic effect of two groups before and after treatment was carried out.Results After treatment,the symptom scores of both groups were significantly lowered(P

Objective To investigate the compliance with medical therapy in elderly patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Methods The BPH patients aged 66 to 93 treated with 5α-reductase inhibitor (finasteride) and/or α-blockers (tamsulosin,doxazosin or terazosin) were followed up for 6 months.The retrospective data,including international prostatic symptom score (IPSS),quality of life (QOL),maximum flow rate (Qmax),prostate volume (PV),the information of medical types,total number of days of medication supplied,discontinuation and switching of therapy,and adverse effects were collected and analyzed.Results In all 103 subjects,30 patients (29.1％) received α-blockers,25 patients (24.3％) received finasteride,and 48 patients (46.6％)received combination therapy.After a follow-up of 6 months,the medication possession ratio (MPR)was 0.89±0.23 with a good-compliance rate (MPR≥0.8),discontinuation rate and switching rate were 79.6％ (82 cases),5.8％ (6 cases) and 6.8％ (7 cases),respectively,while the efficacy rate,the adverse reaction rate,incidence of acute urinary retention (AUR) and incidence of BPH related operations were 73.8％ (76 cases),12.6％ (13 cases),15.5％ (16 cases) and 4.9％ (5 cases),separately.The MPR (0.90±0.24) and good-compliance rate (84.0％) in patients treated with finasteride were both greater than those with α-blockers (0.87 ± 0.25,76.7％) and combination therapy (0.89 ±0.22,79.2％),but with no significant difference.Compared with patients with badcompliance,the efficacy ratio of medical therapy was significant higher in patients with goodcompliance (81.7％ vs.42.9％),while the incidence of adverse effects and AUR were significant fewer (7.3％ vs.33.3％ and 9.8％ vs.38.1％).Conclusions Elderly patients received either monotherapy or combination therapy with finasteride and α-blockers have good-compliance,which might be associated with the good effect of medical therapy and fewer adverse effects.

Objective To study the effects of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) on radiationinduced autophagic cell death in breast cancer cells.Methods MCF-7 cells were divided into four groups:control (normoxia,21％ Oxygen),irradiation (8 Gy X-rays),hypoxia (Cobalt chloride,CoCl2)and irradiation with hypoxia (CoCl2).150 μmol/L CoCl2 was utilized to induce hypoxic conditions.Western blot was applied to detect the expression of HIF-1α and MAPLC3.MDC and Hoechst staining were used to detect autophagy and apoptosis.Radiosensitivity was detected by cloning formation.The short hairpin interfering RNA (shRNA) retroviral transduction particles targeting HIF-1α was transfected into MCF-7 cells to establish HIF-1 α knockdown cells,then the radiosensibility,autophagy and apoptosis were detected.Results Compared with control group and irradiation group,the protein level of HIF-1 increased obviously in the normaxia,irradiation,hypoxia and irradiation with hypoxia groups,and the values were 0,0,1.00,1.89,respectively.The expression levels of MAPLC3 were markedly up-regulated in irradiation,hypoxia and irradiation with hypoxia groups as compared with control,and the ratios of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ were 1.15,1.73,2.38 and 3.60,respectively.The radiosensitivity of MCF-7 cells decreased in the following order:normoxia with 3MA ＞ normoxia ＞ hypoxia with 3MA ＞ hypoxia.HIF-1α knockdown cell (pSUPER-HIF-1α Ri) and vector control were constructed.After treatment with CoCl2,survival fraction of MCF-7-pSUPER was significantly higher than that of control (t =3.080,6.946,6.658,6.380,P ＜0.05),and radiosensitivity was down-regulated after irradiation,but there was no significant difference between normoxia and hypoxia in survival fraction of MCF-7-pSUPER-HIF-1α Ri.After treatment of irradiation or hypoxia,the autophagic fractions in MCF-7-pSUPER-HIF-1α Ri significantly decreased,reduced by 21.1％,25.5％,15.5％,respectively(t =4.635,4.738,6.354,P ＜0.05) as compared with MCF-7-pSUPER,but there was no change in apoptosis.Conclusions HIF-1α may increase radiationinduced autophagy and decrease radiosensitivity,but have no influence on apoptosis.

Objective To observe the effect of nerve growth factor(NGF) on CCL4‐induced hepatic fibrosis in mice .Methods The hepatic fibrosis model was induced by subcutaneous injection of CCL 4 in mice .Thirty female Kunming mice were equally and randomly divided into three groups :fibrosis model group (A) ,NGF intervention group (B) and normal saline control group (C) .At 8 weeks following the initiation of experiment ,the samples were collected to measure ALT ,AST ,TBIL ,ALB by the fully automativ biochemical analyzer ,an the liver fibrosis indices (HA ,LN ,PC Ⅲ ) by radioimmunoassay .The Ishaki scoring system was adopted to assess the severity of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis degree .Results Serum levels of ALT ,AST ,HA and LN in the group A and B were significantly higher than those in the group C (F= 111 .45 ,658 .80 ,157 .43 ,167 .99 ;P< 0 .05) ,the levels of ALT 、AST and LN in the group B were significantly lower than those in the group A (P< 0 .05) .The HE staining ,reticular fiber staining and Masson staining showed that the liver fibrosis degree and the liver tissue inflammation in the group A were most obvious ,the liver tissue inflamation in the group B were significantly alleviated as compared with the group A .No fibrous septum was formed and the fiber tissues were fine and short .No obvious inflammatory cells infiltration and fibers formation were found in the liver tissue of the group C .The scores of liver inflamation grade and fibrosis staging in the group C were higher than those in the group B and C ,moreover the scores of liver inflammation grade and fibsosis had statstical differences among 3 groups (P < 0 .05) .Conclusion NGF can block hepatic fibrosis induced by CCL4 and relieve the liver inflammation .

Objective To explore the impact of intermittent androgen deprivation therapy on prostate volume and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with prostate cancer combined with prostatic hyperplasia (BPH),and to evaluate the clinical effect of intermittent androgen deprivation therapy as compared with conventional drug in patients with BPH.Methods Patients with prostate cancer (n=57) and BPH (n=83) were respectively treated with intermittent androgen deprivation therapy and finasteride combined with alpha-receptor antagonist.Prostate volume,international prostate symptom score (IPSS),quality of life index (QOL) and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) in patients were observed before and 1,3,6 and 12 months after treatment.Results The improvements in prostate volume,IPSS,QOL and Qmax were higher in prostate cancer patients treated with intermittent androgen deprivation therapy than in BPH patients treated with finasteride combined with alpha-receptor antagonist (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Intermittent androgen deprivation therapy can significantly reduce prostate volume and improve LUTS in patients with prostate cancer,and has a better clinical effect than finasteride combined with alpha-receptor antagonist treatment.

Objective:To investigate the expressions and significance of tyrosine kinase receptor EphA2 and its ligand ephrinA1 in human malignant gliomas and their correlation with tumor angiogenesis. Methods:The expressions of EphA2, ephrinA1, and CD105-stained microvessel density (MVD) were detected via immunohistochemical assay in 62 glioma tissues and 8 normal brain tissues. The correlation between EphA2 and ephrinA1 expression and microvessel counts in the glioma tissues were assessed. Results:Immunohistochemical staining results revealed that variable levels of EphA2 and MVD expression were significantly higher than that of the normal brain samples. Statistical difference was observed in EphA2 and MVD expressions between human gliomas and normal brain samples (P<0.01). The positive rate of EphA2 and MVD expressions was significantly higher in high-grade gliomas (WHO III-IV) than that in low-grade gliomas (WHO I-II) (P<0.01). EphrinA1 was expressed at low levels in most malignant gliomas, and the increased ephrinA1 expression was associated with lower-grade histology. MVD was significantly positively correlated with EphA2 expression (r=0.713, P<0.01) and significantly negatively correlated with ephrinA1 expression (r=-0. 772, P<0.01). EphA2 was significantly negatively correlated with ephrinA1 expression (r=-0.912, P<0.01). Conclusion:Specifically over-expressed EphA2 and its low-expressed ligand ephrinA1 in malignant gliomas may be closely correlated with the invasion and malignant degree of gliomas. Cooperation is involved in the angiogenesis and has an important function in the initiation and progression of gliomas.

Objective To investigate the effect of berberine preconditioning on the intestinal injury caused by liver cold ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Twenty-four pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 220-250 g,were randomized into 3 groups (n =8 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (S group),I/R group,and berberine preconditioning group (B group).The animals were anesthetized with 5％ chloral hydrate 60 mg/kg.In B group,berberine 200 mg/kg was administered through a gastric tube once a day for 7 consecutive days starting from 7 days before operation.The equal volume of normal saline was given instead of berberine in group Ⅰ/R.At 8 h after operation,the rats were sacrificed and the intestines were harvested for determination of wet/dry lung weight ratio (W/D ratio),levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD),expression of cytochrome C,Bax and Bcl-2 and apoptotic cell count,and for microscopic examination.Intestinal damage was assessed and scored according to Chiu.Results Compared with group S,Chiu's score,W/D ratio,MDA content and apoptotic cell count were significantly increased,SOD activity was decreased,the expression of cytochrome C and Bax was up-regulated,and the expression of Bcl-2 was downregulated in I/R and B groups.Compared with group I/R,Chiu's score,W/D ratio,MDA content and apoptotic cell count were significantly decreased,SOD activity was increased,the expression of cytochrome C and Bax was down-regulated,and the expression of Bcl-2 was up-regulated in B group.Conclusion Berberine preconditioning can reduce the intestinal injury caused by liver cold I/R in rats,and the mechanism is related to inhibition of lipid peroxidation and cell apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of ulinastatin on brain injury in the pediatric patients undergoing living-related liver transplantation (LRLT).Methods Sixty pediatric patients with congenital biliary atresia,of both sexes,aged 6-10 months,weighing 6.5-9.5 kg,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅲ or Ⅳ,scheduled for elective LRLT,were randomly divided into either control group (group C,n =30) or ulinastatin group (group U,n =30) using a random number table.Starting from the end of anesthesia induction to the end of surgery,ulinastatin 10 000 U/kg was infused intravenously in group U,while the equal volume of normal saline was infused intravenously in group C.Before operation,at 30 min of anhepatic phase,and at 3 and 24 h of neohepatic phase,blood samples were drawn from the central vein for determination of the concentrations of S-100β protein and neuron-specific enzyme in serum (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6),IL-10 and IL-18 in serum (by radio-immunity method).Results Compared with group C,the serum concentrations of S-100β protein,neuron-specific enzyme,IL-6 and IL-18 were significantly decreased,and the serum concentration of IL-10 was significantly increased at 30 min of anhepatic phase and 3 and 24 h of neohepatic phase in group U (P＜0.05).Conclusion Ulinastatin 10 000 U/kg infused intravenously during operation can reduce brain injury in the pediatric patients undergoing LRLT.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a key molecule of the inflammatory response, and plays a significant role in regulating cell survival and death.Many studies demonstrate that TNF-α may be implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory conditions.Inhibiting the activity of TNF-α can dramatically improve the manifestations of many diseases.This review introduced the structural and functional characters of TNF-α and its receptors, and then summarized the regulating mechanisms TNF-α on cell survival、apoptosis and necroptosis.Besides, combining with the newly achievements of clinical and fundamental researches, this review analyzed the connections between TNF-α and common disorders in ophthalmology, such as the inflammation of retina and cornea, choroidal neovascularization, and summarized the clinical application and efficacy of infliximab, TNF-α monoclonal antibody.This review may provide references for the treatment of inflammatory diseases in ophthalmology and scientific researches in the future.