Objective To investigate the cellular localization of the neural precursor cell-expressed, developmentally downregulated isoforms(Nedd4), Nedd4- 1/2 and Nedd4- 2, and the serum glucocorticoid- inducible kinasel(SGK1) in various subregions of the rat cochlea. Methods The expression patterns of Nedd4-1/2, Nedd42 and SGK1 in the cochlea of rat were studied by immunohistochemistry with the specific polyclonal rabbit antibodies against the rat Nedd4-1/2, Nedd4-2 and SGK1. Results All three proteins were extensively expressed in various regions of the rat cochlea. They were found in the stria vascularis, spiral ligament, organ of Corti, spiral limbus, spiral ganglion and Reissner's membrane. Conclusion Our findings suggest that there exists a Na+ transport system in the cochlea consisting of SGK1, Nedd4 isoforms and ENaC, which may work in concert to transport Na+ and to maintain homeostasis in the inner ear as they do in other tight epithelia.

Objective To investigate the cellular localization of aquaporins(AQPs) and its significance in various subregions of the cochlea and endolymphatic sac of guinea pig.Methods Adult guinea pigs were used and the expression patterns of AQP1,2,3 and 4 in the cochlea and endolymphatic sac were studied immunocytochemically. Paraffin- embedded sections were labeled with the specific polyclonal rabbit antibodies against the rat AQP1, 2, 3, and 4.Results In the cochlea, AQP1, 3, 4 were widely distributed in various subregions including the stria vascularis, spiral ligament, organ of Corti and spiral ganglion in the similar patterns except that AQP3 in the stria vascularis was weaker than AQP1 and AQP4. AQP2 was labeled only in the Reissner's membrane. In the endolymphatic sac, AQP1, AQP3 and AQP4 were strongly expressed in the epithelial cells and subepithelial cells with the exception that AQP3 was a little weaker than AQP1 and AQP4. No AQP2 immunoreactivity was detected in the endolymphatic sac.Conclusion Our immunohistochemical results suggest that different members of AQPs family in labyrinth may work in concert to regulate endolymph and to maintain homeostasis in the inner ear.

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of asubunit isforms of Na,K-ATPase in stria vascularis of guinea pig, and the effect of gentamicin on it. MethodsThe expression of a subunit isoforms of Na, K-ATPase in stria vascualris of guinea pig and its change after gentamicin exposure were identified immunocytochemically using the specific mouse antibodies a gainst the α1 ,α2 and α3 subunits of rat Na,K-ATPase. ResultsAll marginal cells,intermediate cells and basal cells of stria vas cualris showed positive expression of α1 isoform and negative expression of α2 and α3 isoforms. The immunostaining of α1 isform was attenuated significantly after gentamicin esposture. ConclusionGentamicin significantly inhibits the expression of Na, K-ATPase α1 subunit isoform of the stria vascularis, sequentially inhibits the activity of Na,K-ATPase.

Objective To investigate the distribution and its significance of ? subunit isoforms of Na,K-ATPase in the inner ear of guinea pig.Methods The expression of ? subunit isoforms of Na,K-ATPase in labyrinth was studied immunocytochemically with the specific mouse antibodies against the ? 1?? 2 and ? 3 subunits of rat Na,K-ATPase.Results The expression of Na,K-ATPase ? subunit isoforms varied among different cell regions of the inner ear. The ? 1 subunit isoform was widely distributed in almost all regions, and was most abundant in the stria vascularis, sensory cells of the crista ampullaris and macula of the saccule, and the spiral ganglion cells, while the ? 2 and ? 3 subunit isoforms were present primarily in the spiral ganglion cells,the organ of Corti and stria vascularis.Conclusion The differential expression of Na,K-ATPase subunit isoforms presumably reflects different K + and Na + transport capacities among inner ear cells which, working in concert, serve to maintain homeostasis in inner ear.

0.05) before and after treatment. The rates of eosinophil infiltration: 98.2% vs. 80.4% in the mild UC (P

Objective To investigate the pathohistologic features and grading of biopsy mucosae and their correlation with disease severity of active ulcerative colitis(UC). Methods A prospective study was conducted in 133 patients with UC who were divided into three groups based on the degree of severity. Pathologic morphometry and grading with HE staining sections were analyzed. Results Pathologic features of active UC: there were neutrophilic leukocytes (100.0%), eosinophils (99.2%), plasmacytes(91.7%) and lymphocytes (75.2%) infiltration among mucosal epithelial cells, and lymphoid follicular formation(72.2%) and small vessels inflammation(63.9%) and focal hemorrhage(68.4%) in lamina propria. There were crypt abscesses(43.6%), glandular abnormalities (44.4%), goblet cell depletion (18.8%), epithelial cell regeneration (36.8%) , atypical hyperplasia (28.6%) and granulation tissue formation (42.9%) in mucosae. With the increase of severity of UC, there was a significant increasing incidence of small vessel inflammation, fiberoid necrosis of vessel wall, glandular abnormality, epithelial cell regeneration, atypical hyperplasia, goblet cell depletion, granulation tissue formation, fiber tissue hyperplasia, and crypt abscess. There was no significant difference of the incidence of lymphocyte hyperplasia, lymphoid follicular formation, eosinophil and plasmacyte infiltration between the groups. Mild UC was mainly characterized by the lesions of Grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ, moderate UC by those of Grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ and severe UC by those of Grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ. There were significant differences of grades among mild, moderate and severe UC. Conclusions There were some pathologic characters in active UC. The partial of markers and histological gradings can reflect the severity and activity of active UC.

Objective To investigate the clinical, pathological and endoscopic features of patients with ulcerative pancolitis (PUC) and distal colitis (DUC) and their differentiations. Methods The clinical, pathological and endoscopic data of 52 patients with PUC and 97 patients with DUC were analyzed by case-control study. Results The incidence and the frequency of bloody stool in patients with PUC were both higher than those in DUC (90.38% vs. 71.13%, P

To explore the protective effect of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) on microcirculatory disturbance of small intestine in rats with sepsis, and the possible mechanism, a rat model of sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operated group (S), sepsis group (CLP) and STS treatment group (STS). STS (1 mg/kg) was slowly injected through the right external jugular vein after CLP. The histopathologic changes in the intestinal tissue and changes of mesenteric microcirculation were observed. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the intestinal tissue were determined by using enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the intestinal tissue was detected by using immunohistochemisty and Western blot, that of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and tissue factor (TF) by using Western blot, and the levels of NF-κB mRNA expression by using RT-PCR respectively. The microcirculatory disturbance of the intestine was aggravated after CLP. The injury of the intestinal tissues was obviously aggravated in CLP group as compared with S group. The expression levels of NF-κB p65, ICAM-1, TF and TNF-α were upregulaed after CLP (P<0.01). STS post-treatment could ameliorate the microcirculatory disturbance, attenuate the injury of the intestinal tissues induced by CLP, and decrease the levels of NF-κB, ICAM-1, TF and TNF-α (P<0.01). It is suggested that STS can ameliorate the microcirculatory disturbance of the small intestine in rats with sepsis, and the mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of inflammatory responses and amelioration of coagulation abnormality.

This article was aimed to study the intestinal absorption about main active ingredients of pectolinarin and pectolinarigenin in Carboned Cirsium japonicum DC. The absorption rate and absorption rate constant were taken as indicators. The intestinal absorption of pectolinarin and pectolinarigenin were compared by everted rat intestinal sac method among different parts of the small intestine. The results showed that the absorption rate constant of pectoli-narin among duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon parts were 0.505 1 ± 0.192 7, 0.936 0 ± 0.187 2, 0.732 0 ±0.133 5, 0.251 3 ± 0.027 6 (μg·h-1·cm-2). The absorption rate constant of pectolinarigenin among the duodenum, je-junum, ileum and colon were 0.059 1 ±0.008 3, 0.093 3 ±0.029 2, 0.112 3 ± 0.035 6, 0.029 4 ± 0.009 1 (μg·h-1·cm-2). It was concluded that the absorption of both ingredients increased over time. The absorption of both ingredi-ents in the jejunum and ileum was higher than other parts of the small intestine. The absorption rate of pectolinarin in the entire small intestine was much higher than the absorption rate of pectolinarigenin.

Objective To provide an experimental evidence for the clinical applications of glyceryl trinatrate(GTN)and isosorbide dinitrate(ISDN)against Coxsackievirus B(CVB)-related myocarditis.Methods Coxsackievirus B3 was propagated in HeLa cells.Virus yields were determinded by 50% tissue culture infective dosage(TCID50).BALB/c mice were attacked with 5000 TCID50 of CVB3,meanwhile,the mice were administrated with GTN and ISDN.All mice were killed at the 14th day.The myocardial tissues were harvested for histologic evaluation.Results The infection plaques in the myocardial tissues obtained from CVB3-infected BALB/c mice treated with GTN were siginificantly reduced(0.89?0.18 in GTN group and 1.25?0.22 in ISDN group)compared with that of the untreated CVB3-infected mice(P