Aim To study effects of berberine on the proliferation a nd differentiation of HL-60 cells. Methods Cell inhibitory effec t was determined by growthcurve method and colony formation.Cell differentiation was analyzed by cytomorphological changes, NBT reduction and cell surface antig en.Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry.Results The growth o f HL-60 cells was significantly inhibited by berberine in a time and dose-depe ndent manner.1,2,4,8 mg?L -1 berberine induced differentiation of HL-60 c ells: Morphological evaluation indicated that the berberine-treated cells exhibited granulation appearance; NBT reduction was significantly increase d; expression of CD11b increased obviously. Flow cytometry analysis showed that berberine arrested HL-60 cells in G 0/G 1 phase, the percent of the cells in S phase decreased.Conclusion Berberine can induce differentiatio n and growth inhibition of HL-60 cells

Objective To establish a mouse model for human esophageal cancer.Methods Human PBL were isolated directly from whole blood by density gradient centrifugation.Fifteen SCID mice were randomly divided into two groups.Group A was control group,and in group B there were 12 mice intraperitoneally injected with 2×107 human PBL and subcutaneously injected with 5×106 ECA109 cells.The rate of tumor transplantation,tumor growth,metastasis and histological features were observed.After 3,4,5,6 weeks of engraftment,the level of IgG in mouse serum and the spleen weight were detected.Results The successful rate of tumor transplantation was 100 ％.Metastasis was not found.After 3,4,5,6 weeks of engraftment,the spleen weight in group B were (55.44±4.45) mg,(88.62±2.24) mg,[(125.98±2.19) mg] (P ＜ 0.05) and (213.71±2.96) mg,which had statistical significance compared with the control group (41.87±2.97) mg.The level of IgG was significantly higher than that in control group (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The experimental results demonstrate that human esophageal cancer models have been established in Hu-PBL-SCID mice.

In recent years,many new microtubule-associated proteins are found or studied extensively in the treatment of breast cancer.End-binding protein 1 (EB1)has the promotional effects on cell proliferation and enhances the carcinogenesis of breast cancer,and also can affect the chemosensitivity of the treatment. MAP7 domain-containing protein 3 (Mdp3)expresses in breast epithelial cells and plays an important role on the growth and metastasis.Nucleolar and spindle-associated protein (NuSAP)gene is up-regulated in breast cancer and is considered as a biomarker for breast cancer.Tau expression level has a strong correlation with estrogen receptor (ER),progesterone receptor (PR)and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2), and it remains controversial in the results of the effect of paclitaxel chemotherapy and hormone treatment.

AIM: To study the role of scavenger receptor A(SR A) in the uptake of oxidized low density lipoprotein(OxLDL) in mouse peritoneal macrophages(MPM). METHODS: Comparing the difference of the uptake of OxLDL in SR A-deficient and wild-type MPM. RESULTS: The results showed that the binding of OxLDL wasn't apparently reduced in SR A-deficient MPM. The association of OxLDL was reduced by 35.8% and degradation of OxLDL was reduced by 42% in SR A-deficient MPM compared with those in wild-type MPM. CONCLUSION: Studies showed that SR A didn't play an important role in the uptake of OxLDL in MPM. Approximately 70% of the uptake of OxLDL in macrophages is attributable to non-SR A receptor.

AIM: To investigate the effects of lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) on the expression of MCP-1 in the cultured human unbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: Cultured HUVECs was incubated with ox-LDL, or preincubated with carrageenan and polyinosinic acid. LOX-1 and MCP-1 mRNA and protein were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Incubation of HUVECs with ox-LDL (from 0-100 mg/L) for 24 h markedly increased the expression of LOX-1 and MCP-1 (mRNA and protien) in a concentration-dependent fashion. Preincubation of HUVECs with carrageenan and polyinosinic acid, the chemical inhibitors of LOX-1, for 2 h, ox-LDL-mediated upregulation of LOX-1 and MCP-1 was suppressed (P

Objective To investigate the prevention and cure effects of irbesartan on diabetic nephropathy.Methods The tissues of kidneys were harvested for histomorphometry and transmission electron microscope observation.The nuclear factor-?B(NF-?B) activity was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assays(EMSA) in renal tissue and the level of TNF-? was measured by radio-immunity in serum.Results The glomerular basement membrane thickening,the numbers of total glomerular cells and monocyt cells in a glomerulus in experimental group were less than those of the control group.The NF-?B activity and TNF-? level were positively correlated with glomerular basement membrane thickening.Conclusion The irbesartan can prevent and cure diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting NF-?B and depressing inflammatory response.

Objective To explore the possible risk factors that influence bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly men with type 2 diabetes. Methods A total of 80 elderly men with type 2 diabetes were included in this study. The BMD of lumbar vertebrae and femur were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). And fasting blood and urine samples were taken to check the biochemical levels of bone metabolism and blood glucose. The correlations between BMD and other related factors were analyzed. Results In this group, the prevalence rates of osteoporosis and osteopenia were 18. 6% and 53.8%, respectively. Body mass and body mass index (BMI) were positively correlated with BMD at all sites (r=0. 202～0. 298, P<0. 05 or P<0. 01). However, age and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc) were negatively correlated with BMD of lumbar and femoral neck (r=-0. 172～-0. 211 ,all P<0. 05). Leptin was not only positively correlated with the BMD of femoral neck and Ward's triangle, but also with body mass, BMI, fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol and HbAlc (r=0. 219 ～ 0. 509, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Using stepwise regression analysis, body mass was the predictor of BMD at all sites assessed, while the HbAlc and leptin levels could respectively influence BMD at femoral neck and Ward's triangle (r~2= 0. 196 ～ 0. 276, all P< 0. 01). Conclusions It may suggest that differential factors predict the variance of BMD at different sites in elderly men with type 2 diabetes.

AIM: To explore the effect of lysophosphatidylcholine(LPC) on cholesterol efflux from macrophage foam cells, and to offer experimental evidence for research on prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.METHODS: Peritoneal macrophages and LDL were seperated from mice and serum of healthy volunteers, respectively. The foam cells were derived from macrophages in the presence of Acylated LDL (AcLDL). Cholesterol efflux from cells and LDH activity were measured by enzymetic fluorometry and LDH kit, respectively.RESULTS: After incubated with LPC for 24 hours, cholesterol efflux from macrophage foam cells increased significantly compared to control, and cellular cholesterol was lower than that in control group. At the same time, medium LDH activity of LPC group was not increased obviously. CONCLUSION: Within the dosage of 10-80 ?mol/L, LPC can promote cholesterol efflux from macrophage foam cells in a dose-dependent manner, and this effect has nothing to do with cytotoxity of LPC.

The adhesion of leukocytes to vascular endothelium is crucial for the generation of inflammatory responses. The selectinsand β2-integrin (Mac-1) play a major role in the process. Recently, it was reported that RO-heparin can inhibit selectin-mediated leukocyte adhesion. The effect of RO-heparin on the Mac-1-mediated neutrophils adhesion were further tested. The results showed that RO-heparin could effectively inhibit neutrophils binding to ICAM-1, adhering to COS-7 cells expressing human ICAM-1, and adheringto human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under static and flow conditions. The findings suggest that the effect of RO-heparin on leukocyte adhesion is mainly due to its inhibition on the interaction between selectins or Mac-1 and their ligands and that RO-heparin might be useful in preventing inflammation diseases.