A Review: A concept of tissue adaptation to hypoxia (i. e. hypoxic preconditioning) was developed and its corresponding animal models were reproduced in 1966s. The methods of model reproduction in rat, rabbit, and mouse in particular and the main results are briefly introduced in this review. The tolerance to hypoxia of preconditioned animals is significantly increased. Regular changes in animals' behavior, neurophysiology, respiratory and circulatory physiology, neuron morphology in vivo and function of brain and spinal cord in vitro are briefly demonstrated. The protective effects in vivo and in vitro of homogenate extract taken from the brain of preconditioned animals, neurochemicals and molecular neurobiological alterations are briefly presented. The essence and significance of tissue adaptation to hypoxia/hypoxic preconditioning are discussed in the review in terms of evolution and practical implication.
Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; physiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; Mice ; Rabbits ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Bushen Tiaojing Recipe (BTR) on the quality of oocytes, reproductive hormones, and the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP15) of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) patients.

METHODSSixty infertility patients who prepared for IVF-ET were assigned to two groups according to the treatment order, the treatment group [20 cases, treated with BTR + controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH)] and the control group (treated with COH alone, 40 cases). Age, the time limit for infertility, basal follicle-stimulating hormone (bFSH) concentration, usage days and the dosage of gonadotropins (Gn), serum levels of estradiol (E2), luteotropic hormone (LH), and progesterone (P) on the HCG injection day, the number of retrieved occytes, the fertilization rate, the number of embryos, the high quality embryo rate, and the clinical pregnancy rate were compared. Concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), LH, E2, testosterone (T), and P in the follicular fluid were detected via chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay. The mRNA and protein expression of BMP-15 in mature granulosa cells was detected by real-time fluorescent PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSThirty-two patients were pregnant and the total pregnancy rate was 53.3%. Of them, 19 were pregnant and the total pregnancy rate was 47.5% in the control group, while 20 were pregnant and the total pregnancy rate was 65.0% in the treatment group. But there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the Gn dosage was lower and the high quality embryo rate was higher in the treatment group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in serum concentrations of E2, LH, or P on the HCG injection day, the number of retrieved oocytes, or the fertilization rate (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, FSH concentrations in the follicular fluid were significantly lower and LH concentrations were significantly higher in the treatment group (P < 0.05). The LH concentrations in the follicular fluid were significantly higher in pregnant patients than non-pregnant patients, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).There was no statistical difference in E2, T, or P concentrations (P > 0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of BMP-15 in granulosa cells was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). It was also higher in pregnant patients than non-pregnant patients, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDuring the IVF-ET process, BTR could elevate the quality of oocytes, and increase the sensitivity of ovarian follicles to exogenous Gn, which was correlated with the mRNA and protein expression of BMP-15 in granulosa cells, and changing concentrations of FSH and LH.

Adult ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Embryo Transfer ; Estradiol ; blood ; metabolism ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; metabolism ; Follicular Fluid ; metabolism ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; metabolism ; Oocytes ; drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Progesterone ; blood ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between collgen (Col) IV, VEGF secreted by the tumor cells and vasculogenic mimicry (VM).

METHODS158 bi-phase differential malignant tumor specimens were alloted and made into tissue microarray. These tissue microarray sections were stained with CD31, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Col IV. Subsequently, distributive trait of Col IV and the difference of VEGF expression were analyzed.

RESULTSThe basement membrane of VM was PAS and Col IV positive. The expression of VEGF in bi-phase differential malignant tumor with VM was less than that in those without VM. The difference of VEGF expression in malignant melanoma and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma was significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCollgen IV and periodic acid-Schiff positive material take part in constructing the basement membrane of vasculogenic mimicry. The difference of the VEGF expression proves that vasculogenic mimicry can sustain the tumor blood supply.

Collagen Type IV ; analysis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Neoplasms ; blood supply ; chemistry ; pathology ; Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis

In adipose tissues from sreater omentum of patients with type 2 diabetes,the mRNA and protein expressions of human rearranged immunoglobulin?light chain (HSIGVL) 022 were measured by the fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively.The results showed that mRNA and protein levels of HSIGVL022 were up-regulated in patients with type 2 diabetes.The mRNA level of HSIGVL022 was linearly correlated with insulin resistance index,suggesting that this gene may play a role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Objective To investigate the influence of two kinds of different cements (resin-reinforced glass ionomer and self-adhesive resin cement) to the pH of peri-implant crevicular fluid of cement retained implant restorations.Methods About 15 patients for cement retained implant restorations with a total of 30 dental implants were chosen for study.The implants were randomly divided into two groups,treatment group for the resin-reinforced glass ionomer,and control group for the self-adhesive resin cement,with 15 implants in each group.Another 15 patients were chosen to observe 1 healthy tooth and periodonatal tissue from each of them as blank group.The pH of peri-implant crevicular fluid and meliorate plaque index were measured respectively before the crowns were bonded,after 6 months and 12 months.The measured results during different periods were compared.Results Before the crowns were bonded,after 6 months and 12 months the pH of peri-implant crevicular fluid of treatment group were (7.19 ± 0.47),(7.30 ± 0.51),(7.38 ± 0.55),meliorate plaque index were (0.43 ± 0.35),(0.51 ± 0.36),(0.54 ± 0.45);the pH of peri-implant crevicular fluid of control group were (7.20 ± 0.55),(7.39 ± 0.48),(7.85 ± 0.53),meliorate plaque index were (0.42±0.41),(0.53 ± 0.45),(0.92 ± 0.59);the pH of gingival crevicular fluid of blank group were (7.21 ±0.52),(7.22 ±0.55),(7.29 ± 0.49),meliorate plaque index were (0.44 ±0.35),(0.48 ±0.25),(0.50 ± 0.46).Tweleve months after the crowns were bonded,pH of gingival crevicular fluid and meliorate plaque index in control group were significantly higher than that in treatment group and blank group.There was a positive correlativity between meliorate plaque index and pH of gingival crevicular fluid.Conclusion Resin-reinforced glass ionomer has less effect on the pH of peri-implant crevicular fluid.

OBJECTIVEBone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) have the potential to differentiate into endothelial cells. The aim of the study was to investigate the induction process of BMSC by B16 melanoma cells in vitro and to analyze the role of VEGF-a in the process.

METHODSA co-culture system containing BMSC and B16 melanoma cells based on transwell indirect model was established, and the induction process of BMSC by B16 melanoma cells was studied in vitro.

RESULTSBMSC were isolated from the bone marrow of C57 mice. BMSC expressed CD105, CD90, CD73, CD44 and CD166, and acquired expressin of endothelial phenotype markers including VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and Factor VIII after co-culture with B16 melanoma cells for 48 hours. The expression level of VEGFR-2 would be double and Factor VIII threefold more by extending the co-culture time to 72 hours. In the co-culture system, B16 melanoma cells also up-regulated the expression of VEGF-a.

CONCLUSIONSVEGF-a plays a significant role in the differentiation of BMSC into cells of endothelial phenotype, therefore, is important to tumor angiogenesis.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Coculture Techniques ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Factor VIII ; metabolism ; Male ; Melanoma, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Pilot Projects ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of different microenvironments on tumor microcirculation patterns and invasive capability.

METHODSMelanoma B16 cells were injected into the peritoneal cavity and skeletal muscle of C57 mice synchronously. CK18 expression in melanoma was assessed to distinguish the malignant phenotype of tumors in the peritoneal cavity from that in the skeletal muscle. HIF-1alpha, MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein and mRNA expression were compared in the two microenvironments. Cells positive for each immunohistochemical stain and the vessels representative of each type of microcirculation pattern were evaluated in two microenvironments.

RESULTSCK18 and HIF-1alpha expression in melanoma were significantly higher in the skeletal muscle than in the peritoneal cavity (t = 8.142, t = 3.645, P < 0.05). Compared with the peritoneal cavity, melanoma cells in the skeletal muscle overexpressed MMP-2 and MMP-9 (t = 4.916, t = 7.782, P < 0.05). Real time-PCR results also showed that MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA levels in melanoma were higher in the skeletal muscle than in the peritoneal cavity (t = 36.814, t = 26.025, P < 0.05). Vasculogenic mimicry channels and endothelium-dependent vessels were the major microcirculation patterns in the skeletal muscle and in the peritoneal cavity respectively.

CONCLUSIONSDifferent microenvironments affect invasiveness and blood supply patterns of melanoma. Different microenvironment induced tumor cell secretion of more invasion-related proteins and affect invasiveness and blood supply patterns of melanoma.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; Melanoma ; blood supply ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microcirculation ; Muscle, Skeletal ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Peritoneal Cavity ; blood supply ; pathology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2 in tumor cells of synovial sarcoma and its clinical significance.

METHODSExpression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in tumor cells of 72 cases of synovial sarcoma was studied by immunohistochemistry. The profile was correlated with clinicopathologic parameters, microvessel density (MVD) (analyzed by CD31 immunostaining) and survival rate.

RESULTS(1) There was a statistically significant negative correlation between expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 (r = -0.290 and P = 0.013). (2) The proportion of high MMP-2 expression to low TIMP-2 expression in patients with tumor metastasis was significantly higher than that in patients without metastasis (P = 0.010 and 0.002 respectively). (3) MVD of patients with high MMP-2 expression was higher than that in the low MMP-2 expression group (P = 0.005). MVD of patients with high TIMP-2 expression was lower than that in the low TIMP-2 expression group (P = 0.048). (4) Low TIMP-2 expression significantly correlated with poor prognosis of patients with synovial sarcoma, by univariate and multivariate survival analysis (P = 0.002 and 0.016 respectively).

CONCLUSIONSExpression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 correlates with metastatic potential and tumor angiogenesis in synovial sarcoma. Low TIMP-2 expression often indicates poor prognosis and unfavorable clinical outcomes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; statistics & numerical data ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Microcirculation ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; enzymology ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; blood supply ; enzymology ; pathology ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of anti-cancer bioactive peptide-S (ACBP-S) on cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis in human stomach cancer cell line MGC-803 cells.

METHODS(1) The cultured MGC-803 cells were treated with ACBP-S at various concentrations for 24, 48, 72 h, respectively. The inhibition rate of proliferation of MGC-803 cells were evaluated by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). RT-PCR was used to assay the changes of p27 mRNA expression. Immunocytochemistry was used to detect the changes of expression of p27, PCNA, Bax, Bcl-2 proteins, respectively. (2) a nude mouse xenograft model with gastric carcinoma cell was established. ACPB-S was administered into the tail vein of the mice in a dose of 7 microg, every other day, and the mice were killed after two weeks. The tumors were taken off for further analysis.

RESULTS(1) ACBP-S at concentrations of 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 microg/ml inhibit the growth of MGC-803 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The concentration of ACBP-S at 20.0 microg/ml showed an inhibition rate of (86.6 + 0.1)%. Typical apoptotic changes were observed under the transmission electron microscope. The result of FCM in the range of 5.0 and 20.0 microg/ml for 24 h showed higher early apoptosis rates, (5.7 +/- 0.2)% and (13.9 +/- 0.6)%, respectively, with s significant difference compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05). The ratio of G0/G1 was significantly increased with the increase of incubation time at 20 microg/ml. RT-PCR showed that the expression of p27 mRNA in MGC-803 cells was markedly increased after ACBP-S treatment. (2) After ACBP-S administration the tumor growth in nude mice was inhibited by 34.2%. More apoptotic and necrotic cells were observed in the mice of treatment group by histological examination with HE staining. The immunocytochemistry demonstrated that the expression of Bax protein was significantly increased and Bcl-2 and PCNA protein expressions were significantly decreased after ACBP-S treatment.

CONCLUSIONACBP-S has marked inhibiting effect upon the growth of MGC-803 cells inducing more apoptosis. The anti-cancer mechanism is probably related with its regulatory effects on cell cycle and apoptosis in the tumor cells.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Peptides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the alterations of microtubule and microfilament expression are responsible for the neurotoxicity of carbon disulfide.

METHODSWistar rats were administered with carbon disulfide by gavage at a dosage of 300 or 500 mg/kg for continuous 12 weeks (five times per week). Spinal cords of carbon disulfide-intoxicated rats and their age-matched controls were Triton-extracted and ultracentrifuged to yield a pellet and a corresponding supernatant fraction. Then, the contents of alpha-tubulin, beta-tubulin, and beta-actin in both fractions were determined by immunoblotting. In the meantime, their mRNA levels in spinal cords were quantified using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSIn the supernatant fraction, the contents of beta-tubulin and beta-actin in both treated groups increased significantly (P < 0.01) the content of beta-tubulin increased by 141% and 158% respectively, and the content of beta-actin increased by 19% and 32% respectively. In the pellet fraction, the content of beta-tubulin in both groups increased by 107%(P < 0.01) and 118%(P < 0.01) respectively, and the others keep unaffected. In the meantime, the levels of of mRNA expression of beta-tubulin and beta-actin gene were elevated consistently in CS(2)-treated groups (P < 0.01) the levels of mRNA expression of beta-tubulin increased by 207% and 212% respectively, and the levels of mRNA expression of beta-actin increased by 94% and 91% respectively.

CONCLUSIONCarbon disulfide intoxication results in alternations of microtubule and microfilament expression, and the alternations might be related to its neurotoxicity.

Actins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Carbon Disulfide ; poisoning ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Tubulin ; genetics ; metabolism