Objective To study the role of glutamate receptor subtypes in nucleus tractus solitarius(NTS)in cardiac-somatic motor reflex (CMR)induced by intrapericardial administration of capsaicin,and to clarify the modulation mechanism of NTS to cardiac nociceptoion.Methods 60 SD rats were randomly divided into ibotenic (IBO)group, glutamate group, MK-801 group, MCGP group, MK-801 + MCPG group and DNQX group. The NTS microinjected with 130 mmol·L-1 IBO 100 nL,100,200,500 mmol·L-1 L-glutamate 100 nL,NMDA receptor antagonist 40 and 60 mmol · L-1 MK-801 100 nL, metabotropic glutamate receptors antagonist 25 and 50 mmol·L-1 MCPG 100 nL,25 mmol· L-1 MCPG 50 nL plus 40 mmol· L-1 MK-801 50 nL,non-NMDA receptor antagonist 20 and 50 mmol·L-1 DNQX 100 nL,respectively.The changes of CMR of the rats in various groups were observed.Results Compared with control group,the CMR of the rats in IBO group was decreased (P<0.05);the CMR was increased as the concentration increased in glutamate group(P<0.05);the CMR in MK-801 and MCPG groups were decreased (P<0.05);the CMR in MK-801+MCPG group was decreased (P<0.05);the CMR in DXQX group had no changes (P>0.05).Conclusion NTS play an facilictory role in cardiac nociception,and the NMDA receptors and mGluRs receptors mediate this facilitory modulation.

Objective To explore the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs)group Ⅲ and its subtypes mGluR7 and mGluR8 in nucleus tractus solitarius(NTS)in cardiac-somatic motor reflex (CMR),and to clarify the modulation role of mGluR Ⅲ and its subtypes in NTS in cardiac nociceptoion.Methods 40 SD rats were randomly divided into L-AP4 group,microinjection of mGluRs Ⅲ agonist L-AP4 0.1,1.0,10.0 or 20.0 nmol in NTS;AMN082 group,microinjection of mGluR7 agonist AMN082 1,2 or 4 nmol;DCPG group,microinjection of mGluR8 agonist DCPG 4, 6 or 8 nmol;MSOP group, microinjection of mGluR Ⅲ antagonist MSOP 20 or 100 nmol,20 nmol MSOP+410 nmol L-AP,20 nmol MSOP+2 nmol AMN082,20 nmol MSOP+6 nmol DCPG. The changes of CMR of the rats in various groups were observed.Results Compared with control,the CMR in L-AP4 and AMN082 groups was decreased (P<0.05);the CMR in DCPG group was increased (P<0.05);the CMR in MSOP group after injection of 20 nmol MSOP had no change (P>0.05);the CMR in MSOP group after injection of 100 nmol MSOP was increased (P<0.05);the CMR in MSOP group after injection of 20 nmol MSOP followed L-AP4 or AMNO82 had no change (P>0.05).Conclusion The group Ⅲ mGluRs in the NTS play an inhibitory role in cardiac nociception, and mGluR7 has anti-nociceptive effects while mGluR8 has pro-nociceptive effects.

Objective To investigate the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ(PPAR-γ) and angiotensin receptor (AT2R) in chronic pancreatitis tissue. Methods Between April 2006 and February 2009, 24 patients were pathologically diagnosed as chronic pancreatitis were enrolled and 12 samples of normal pancreatic tissues were treated as controls. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect PPAR-γ and AT1R, AT2R expression in pancreatic tissues. Results PPAR-γ and AT1R were mostly negatively expressed in normal pancreatic tissues, the positive scores were 0.33±0.49 and 0.42 ± 0. 51, respectively, while AT2R were weakly positively or negatively expressed in acinus and islet cell, and it was weakly positively expressed in ductal epithelial cells, the positive score was 2. 33 ± 1. 37. In chronic pancreatitis tissue, PPAR-γ, AT1R and AT2R were positively expressed in acinus, ductal epithelial cells, and islet cell, the positive scores were 3.28 ± 2.46, 4.36 ± 2.80 and 4.61 ± 2.89, which were significantly higher than those in the normal group (P<0.01, P <0.01, P<0.05). Conclusions PPAR-γ, AT1R and AT2R were positively expressed in chronic pancreatitis tissue, and they may be the treatment target of chronic pancreatitis.

Objective To investigate Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) protein expression in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma,and to evaluate the relationship between TLR4 protein expression and angiogenesis.Methods Sixty-two surgically resected human pancreatic adenocarcinoma specimens and 35 normal para-cancerous tissues were investigated for TLR4 protein expression by immunohistochemical SP methods,and CD31 antibody was used to mark microvascular endothelial cells and determine the microvessel density (MVD).The correlation among TLR4 protein expression and MVD and clinicopathologic features of pancreatic adenocarcinoma were analyzed.Results TLR4 protein positive expression rate and MVD in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma was 74.2％ (46/62) and 47.3 ± 13.5,respectively,which were significantly higher than those in the normal pancreatic tissue [17.1％ (6/35),12.6 ±4.8; P ＜0.01].TLR4 protein positive expression rate in the cases with lymph node metastasis was 83.8％,which was significantly higher than that in the cases without lymph node metastasis (60.0％,P =0.036).TLR4 protein positive expression rate in the patients with stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ of TNM classification was 85.3％,which was significantly higher than that in the patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ (60.7％,P=0.028).MVD was closely related to tumor size,lymph node metastasis and TNM stage of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (P =0.008,0.036,0.010).There was a strong positive correlation between TLR4 protein expression and MVD (r =0.534,P ＜0.01 ).Conclusions TLR4 protein expression is closely related to the development and progression of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma and its potential mechanism is related to the promotion of tumor angiogenesis.

Objective To investigate the expression of Hedgehog signaling pathway members,Shh,Gli1,Sufu and TAK1 as well as phosphorylation-TAK1 (p-TAK1) protein in human pancreatic carcinoma tissues and to explore its relationship between the expression of proteins and the clinicopathologic parameters.Methods The expressions of Shh,Glil,Sufu,TAK1,p-TAK1 proteins in 38 samples of pancreatic cancer tissues and pairing adjacent normal pancreatic tissues were detected by immunohistochemical method.The relationship among the proteins and the relationship between the expression of the proteins and the clinicopathologic parameters were examined.Results The positive expression rates of Shh,Glil,Sufu,TAK1,p-TAK1 protein in human pancreatic carcinoma were 86.8％ (33/38),52.6％ (22/38),68.4％(26/38),55.3％ (21/38),52.6％ (20/38),but they were not expressed in adjacent normal pancreatic tissues.Gli1 expression was positively related to distant metastasis and clinical staging (r =0.524,0.361,P ＜0.05),Sufu expression was positively related to patient's gender (r =-0.378,P ＜0.05),TAK1 expression was positively related to clinical staging (r =0.468,P ＜ 0.05),p-TAK1 expression was positively related to clinical staging and distant metastasis (r =0.418,0.361,P ＜ 0.05).Gli1 expression was positively related to TAK1 and p-TAK1 expression in pancreatic cancer tissues (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Hedgehog signaling pathway and p-TAK1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer,and the two pathways may interact with each other.

Objective To observe the effect of triptolide combined with gemcitabine on proliferation and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells ,and to analyze the relevant mechanisms .Methods After treated with TPL ,GEM or TPL combined with GEM in vitro , PANC-1 cells proliferation was accessed by MTT assay and the interaction between the two drugs was calculated .Apoptotic mor-phological changes and apoptosis rate of the cells were investigated by Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry ,respectively .The expression of signal transduction and transcription factor 3(STAT3) ,cysteine aspartate specific proteases-3(caspase-3) protein were detected by Western blot analysis .Results TPL ,GEM or TPL combined with GEM could significantly inhibit the prolifera-tion of PANC-1 cells ,and the combination of the two drugs had a synergistic effect .The cells of the TPL group ,GEM group ,as well as the combined group showed typical apoptotic morphological changes .Compared with the TPL group and GEM group ,the number of apoptotic cells of the combined group increased significantly .Compared with the control group ,the cells apoptosis rate of the TPL group ,GEM group and combined group was significantly increased (P< 0 .05) ,and the apoptosis rate of the the combined group was significantly higher than that of the monotherapy group(P<0 .05) .TPL combined with GEM synergistically inhibited p-STAT3 protein expression and activated caspase-3 protein expression .Conclusion TPL combined with GEM can synergistically in-hibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells ,its mechanism is related to the inhibition of STAT 3 sig-naling pathway ,promotion the expression of caspase-3 protein .

Objective To investigate the expression of DNA-methyltransferases 3B(DNMT3B)gene in human pancreatic carcinoma and to evaluate its relationship with elinicopathologic parameters.Methods 42 samples of pancreatic carcinoma tissues and 42 para-carcinoma tissues and 10 normal pancreatic tissues were collected and the expression of DNMT3B mRNA and protein Was detected by real.time PCR and immunohistochemistry techniques.Results The expression of DNMT3B mRNA(RQ level)in human pancreatic carcinoma tissues and para-carcinoma tissues,normal pancreatic tissues was 9.4±5.9,1.02±0.71 and 0,respectively,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The rate of expression of DNMT3B protein in human pancreatic carcinoma tissues,para-carcinoma tissues and normal pancreatic tissues were 83.3%,14.3%and 10%,respectively,and the difference wag also statistically significant(P<0.01).The expression of DNMT3B mRNA correlated significantly with clinical staging,differentiation degree of the tumor and lymph node metastasis(P<0.01 or P<0.05).The expression of DNMT3B protein correlated significantly with the location ofthe tumor and lymph node metastasis(P<0.01 or P<0.05).The expression of DNMT3B mRNA and protein Was not assecimed with age,sex,neural invasion,tumor size,sernm CEA and CA19-9.Conclusions Highly expressed DNMT3B mRNA and protein may indicate the lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in human pancreatic carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the expression of resistin in rats of acute pancreatitis and the relationship between its expression and pancreatic pathologic changes. Methods Forty Sprague-Dawlev rats were randomly divided into four groups:control group,sham operation group,AEP group and ANP group. AEP model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of cerulein and ANP model was induced bv intrapefitoneal injection of L-arginine while the control group received no treatment,and the sham operation grouD rleceived same volume injections of 0.9%saline solution.The serum amylase,C-reactive protein,TNF-alpha.IL-1 beta were determined by using ELISA,pancreas/body weight(g/kg)ratio was recorded,pancreatic pathology was examinated,the expression of resistin mRNA and protein in pancreas was detected by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Results The levels of amylase,pancreas/body weight ratio.pancreatic pathology score,expression of resistin mRNA,IL-1-beta,TNF-alpha and C-reactive protein in AEP group were(4377±343)U/L,8.67 ±1.43,5.39 ±0.26,2.04 ±0.19,(10.21 ±1.34)ng/ml,(184.18±45.24)pg/ml, (194.24 ±44.81)pg/ml,(3586±63)ng/ml,respectively;and the corresponding value8 in ANP group were (6750±322)U/L.9.33±1.76,7.81±0.28,3.29±0.30,(15.14±0.84)ng/ml,(349.31±94.54)pg/ml,(315.59±37.04)pg/ml,(4345±244)ng/ml,respectively;which were significantly higher than(1442±183)U/L,4.34±0.42,1.10±0.21,0.88±0.08,(5.13±0.74)ng/ml,(108.74±31.03)pg/ml,(106.44±21.31)pg/ml,(2895±165)ng/ml in sham operation group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Resistin wag positively correlated with the increase of C-reactive protein,TNF-alpha,IL-1 beta and the pathologic score of pancreas,respectively(r=0.711,0.812,0.794,0.812,P<0.01).Conclusions Resistin was correlated with the pathogenesis and development of acute pancreatitis,and may be useful to predict the severity of acute pancreatitis.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of induction of experimental chronic pancreatitis rat model with L-arginine.Methods Animals were randomly divided into control group,arginine 12 h group,arginine 24 h group and arginine 7 d group with 10 rats in each group.L-arginine solution was intraperitoneally injected twice with an interval of 1 h.Serum amylase and glucose levels at corresponding time points were detected and histopathological scores of pancreas were evaluated.Collagen in pancreas was stained with Van Gieson method.Results Serum amylase levels were (1 634±890 ) U/L,( 3 872±2 676 ) U/L,( 3 307±2 197)U/L and (1 561±304) U/L in control group,arginine 12 h group,arglnine 24 h group and arginine 7 d group,respectively.The serum amylase level in arginine 7 d group was significantly lower than those in arginine 12 h group and arginine 24 h group (P ＜ 0.05 ).There was no significant difference in serum glucose level among all the groups.Histopathological scores were 0.8±0.4,5.1±2.6,6.5±2.2 and 4.5±1.6,respectively.The histopathological score of arginine 7 d group was significantly lower than those in arginine 24 h group (P ＜ 0.05 ).Obvious collagen could be found in pancreatic parenchyma in arginine 7 d group,while little collagen was found in pancreatic tissue in control,arginine 12 h and arginine 24 h groups.Conclusions Injection of L-arglnine induced fibrosis in pancreatic parenchyma and proliferation of tubular complex 7 days later,and it could be used for chronic pancreatitis model induction.

Objective To investigate the effect of jejunal casein perfusion on pancreatic exocrine secretion in experimental acute necrotic pancreatitis (ANP) rats and analyze the neuromechanism that may be involved. Methods 30 SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (control group, ANP group and ANP jejunal nutrition group). Experimental ANP was induced by intra pancreatic duct injection of sodium taurocholate (STC). Animals in ANP jejunal nutrition group were given jejunal casein perfusion 24h after model induction, while control group and ANP group received jejunal saline perfusion. Pancreatic juice was collected every 15 min for six times and the volume of pancreatic juice and protein in pancreatic juice were detected. After jejunal nutrition c-Fos expression in nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) was determined by immunohistochemistry method in three groups. Results There was no significant difference between the volume of pancreatic juice at different time points in ANP group and ANP jejunal nutrition group, however, these parameters were significantly lower than that of control group (P < 0. 05). There was no significant difference among the 3 groups in the protein level in the pancreatic juice during jejunal nutrition infusion, however, during the periods of 0 ～ 15 min, 15 ～30 min, 30 ～45 min and 75 ～90 min, the protein levels in the pancreatic juice in ANP and ANP jejunal nutrition group were lower than that of control group (P < 0.05). After jejunal perfusion, c-Fos expression was found in ANP jejunal nutrition group but not found in ANP and control groups. Conclusions Jejunal casein perfusion enhanced NTS c-Fos expression, but did not increase the volume of pancreatic juice and protein.