Objective To study the effect of blood glucose variation on gastric emptying and ghrelin expression in diabetic rats,and to explore the relationship between the delayed gastric emptying and the ghrelin expression in different diabetic stages.Methods Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups:a normal control group(NC group),a diabetes mellitus group (DM group) induced by intra- peritoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ),and an insulin-treated group (INS group).After one and four weeks the gastric emptying was measured by intragastric administration of phenol red and the expression of gastric ghrelin was determined by immunohistochemistry and semi-quantitative RT PCR.Results After one week of STZ injection,the gastric emptying,the ghrelin integral optical density and the ghrelin mRNA expression decreased significantly in DM group compared to those in NC group and INS group(P0.05).Conclusion Short term hyperglycemia delay gastric emptying through the reduction of gastric ghrelin expression,while long-term hyperglycemia may enhance the expression and release of gastric ghrelin to stimulate food intake and maintain energy balance.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and metabolic effects of pioglitazone-metformin and basic insulin therapy on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with overweight or obesity and poor blood glucose control. Methods: A total of 153 T2DM patients with overweight or obesity and poor blood glucose control were enrolled in this study. They received treatment with pioglitazone-metformin (pioglitazone-metformin group, n = 77) or insulin glargine (basal insulin group, n = 76) for 6 months in addition to their previous oral hypoglycemic drugs. At baseline, 3 months and 6 months after treatment, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2 h post-prandial blood glucose (2hBG), fasting insulin (FINS), 2 h post-prandial insulin (2hINS), fasting C peptide (FCp), 2 h post-prandial C peptide (2hCp), body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and hepatic fatty degeneration (expressed as controlled attenuation parameter [CAP] value) were observed and recorded. Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences in gender, age, BMI, HbA1c, FBG, 2hBG, FINS, 2hINS, FCp, 2hCp, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, CAP value, underlying diseases, or concomitant medicine between the two groups (all P>0.05). At 3 and 6 months after treatment, the HbA1c, FBG and 2hBG levels were significantly decreased versus those at the baseline in the two groups (all P<0.01), but there were no significant differences between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with the basal insulin group, the FINS, BMI and CAP values were significantly decreased in the pioglitazone-metformin group 3 and 6 months after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). After 6 months of treatment, there were no significant changes of blood lipid levels in both groups. Conclusion: In T2DM patients with overweight or obesity and poor blood glucose control, adding pioglitazone-metformin and basal insulin to their previous oral hypoglycemic drugs has similar hypoglycemic effect. However, patients receiving pioglitazone-metformin have better metabolic benefts such as lower BMI, lower insulin and improved hepatic fatty degeneration.

Objective To analyze clinical features and sum up experience for the treatment of ischemic bowel disease. Methods Clinical data of 73 patients with the diagnosis of ischemic bowel disease were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsTwenty-eight patients were male and 45 patients were female. The median of age was 65 years (range of 38 to 89 years). Forty-eight patients were associated with hypertension, 23%(17/73) patients had a history of coronary disease and 15% (11/73) had diabetes. Seventy patients presented symptom of abdominal pain and 93% (68/73) had hematochezia. Symptoms relieved by conservative treatment in 96% (63/66) patients. Nine patients underwent a surgery. One patient died of sepsis postoperatively. One suffered from colostomy necrosis and leakage of the rectum segment. Conclusion 1. Elder patients presenting symptoms of abdominal pain and hematochezia, especially with a history of cardio-cerebrovascular disease and diabetes should be considered for the possibility of ischemic bowel disease. 2. Most patients with ischemic bowel disease could be successfully treated by conservative therapy. 3. Surgery for patients with chronic relapsing and nonresponsible symptoms was difficult and patients often suffer from high postoperative complications.

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of Smad 7,Smurf 1 and Smurf 2 in basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.Methods Biopsy specimens were resected from 14 patients with basal cell carcinoma,19 patients with squamous cell carcinoma and 30 normal controls.Quanti- tative real-time PCR and immunohistochemical techniques were utilized to assess the expression of Smad 7, Smurf 1 and Smurf 2 in these specimens.Results The gray scale for staining of Smad 7,Smurf 1 and Smurf 2 was 166.61?7.11,166.08?8.71,and 166.25?8.15 respectively in basal cell carcinoma,161.66?5.52,166.84?9.27,and 169.98?9.48 respectively in squamous cell carcinoma.The expression levels of Smad 7,Smurf 1 and Smurf 2 were all significantly increased in basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell car- cinoma in comparison with normal controls.Conclusions The over-expression of Smad 7,Smurf 1 and Smurf 2 may interfere with transforming growth factor?signaling transduction pathway through several links,therefore prevent the inhibitory effect of transforming growth factor?on epidermal proliferation,and accelerate the abnormal proliferation in above epidermal tumors.

Objective To determine the changes of interleukin-12(IL-12) and IL-12 mRNA in gastric mucosa of children with helicobacer pylori (Hp) infection,and to study the effects of Hp infection on the expression levels of IL-12 and IL-12 mRNA,and to evaluate its possible roles in the pathogenesis of gastric mucosal inflammation in Hp related gastroduodenal diseases.Methods Biopsy specimens were taken from the antral mucosa on endoscopy in patients with or without Hp infection, which were diagnosed by urease test and Giemsa staining. The expression levels of IL-12 and IL-12 mRNA in gastric mucosa were determined by ELISA and RT-PCR.Results Inflammation of gastric antral mucosa was more severe in Hp-positive mucosa .The expression levels of IL-12 and IL-12 mRNA in Hp-positive mucosa were (66.42?15.15) ng/g and (59.21?15.03)%,which were more than those in (Hp-negative )(22.22?8.79) ng/g and (17.94?7.39)%(P

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of FOXP1 and Cyclin E gene in primary central nervous system lymphoma(PCNSL) of immunocompetent patients on prognostic significance.

METHODSClinical data of 71 patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL from 2002 to 2007 was analyzed retrospectively. Immunohistochemistry method (HRP-EnVision(TM)) was performed to observe the expression of FOXP1 and Cyclin E gene in tumor tissue samples. The survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curve, survival factors analysis by the Log-rank test and COX proportional hazards regression model.

RESULTSFOXP1 positive was observed in 35 of 51 patients (68.63%) and Cyclin E staining was present in 29 of 50 cases (58.00%). FOXP1(+) patients had a shorter overall survival (OS) than FOXP1(-) ones. 2-year OS rate in FOXP1(+) and FOXP1(-) patients were 23.33% and 73.56%, respectively(P = 0.0015). Cyclin E(+) patients had a shorter overall survival(OS) than cyclinE(-) ones. 2-year OS rate in Cyclin E(+) and Cyclin E(-) patients were 17.56% and 69.76%, respectively (P = 0.0017). Multivariate analysis showed that Cyclin E expression was an independent prognostic factor for shorter OS (P = 0.048). FOXP1 expression might be an important prognostic factor for shorter OS (P = 0.065).

CONCLUSIONCyclin E expression is an independent prognostic factor and FOXP1 expression is a possible prognostic factor for poor clinical outcome in patients with PCNSL.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cyclin E ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo explore the antitumoral effect of indirubin on androgen-independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells and its possible mechanisms.

METHODSWe measured the inhibitory effect of indirubin on the proliferation of prostate cancer PC-3 cells using MTT assay, detected their cell cycles by flow cytometry, and determined the expressions of the cell cycle regulatory protein cyclin D1 and its related downstream gene c-myc by Western blot.

RESULTSThe viability of the PC-3 cells was significantly decreased by indirubin in a concentration-dependent manner, reduced to 52. 2% and 13. 6% at 5 and 10 µmol/L, respectively. The cell cycle of the PC-3 cells was markedly inhibited by indirubin at 5 µmol/L, with the cells remarkably increased in the G0 and G1 phases and decreased in the S and G2/M phases. Meanwhile, indirubin also inhibited the expressions of cyclin D1 and c-myc in the Wnt signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONIndirubin can suppress the proliferation of androgen-independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells, which may be associated with its inhibitory effect on the cell cycle and Wnt signaling pathway.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Coloring Agents ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Genes, myc ; Humans ; Indoles ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; metabolism ; Tetrazolium Salts ; Thiazoles

OBJECTIVETo establish a stable mandibular fracture model with inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) mutilated for exploring the IAN influence to the expression of collagen I during mandibular fracture.

METHODSJapanese white rabbits were selected and IAN was liberated. The right was leaven as it is and the left was cut off, then 2 mm x 5 mm fracture model was made, and HE staining and chromotropic acid 2R-bright green staining and in situ hybridization of collagen I mRNA were made to detect mandibular fracture healing and collagen I mRNA expression.

RESULTSFracture healing was smooth in IAN conserved side, but delayed in the IAN mutilated side. Collagen I in situ hybridization showed that at one week and two weeks after surgery there were obvious differences between the two sides (P < 0.05), but no difference at three weeks after surgery and four weeks (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe IAN could regulate mandibular fracture healing, and influence collagen I mRNA earlier expression.

Animals ; Collagen ; Mandible ; Mandibular Fractures ; Mandibular Nerve ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo investigate effects of low-dose cyclophosphamide and prednisone (CP) metronomic chemotherapy on microvessel density of bone marrow, serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB)in multiple myeloma (MM) patients.

METHODS54 refractory or relapsed MM patients were treated with CP metronomic chemotherapy consisted of oral cyclophosphamide (CTX, 50 mg/d) and prednisone (Pred, 15 mg/d). Bone marrow and peripheral blood of each patient were collected before and 2, 4, 6 months after treatment. Among the 37 assessable patients, 30 cases were responsive with the response rate of 81.08%. Another 17 cases were follow-uped less than 6 months or failure to obtain serum samples or lost to follow-up. Microvessel density of bone marrow was measured by immunohistochemistry and serum VEGF/PDGF-BB expression was analyzed by ELISA in the 37 assessable patients.

RESULTS2, 4, 6 months following CP metronomic chemotherapy, microvessel densities of bone marrow in the responders were 33.1 ± 4.8/HP, 24.8 ± 3.7/HP, 19.7 ± 2.1/HP respectively; the expressions of VEGF were (394 ± 57) ng/L, (268 ± 32) ng/L and (217 ± 20) ng/L respectively; the expressions of PDGF-BB were (304 ± 31) ng/L, (274 ± 31) ng/L and (196 ± 22) ng/L respectively. After CP metronomic chemotherapy, there were significantly lower of microvessel density, VEGF and PDGF-BB levels than pretreatment \[MVD 48.5 ± 5.9/HP, VEGF (517 ± 60) ng/L, PDGF-BB (484 ± 60) ng/L\]in the responders (P < 0.01). While in the non-responders, after treated by CP metronomic chemotherapy for 2 months, microvessel density, the expression of VEGF and the expression of PDGF-BB were 32.5 ± 4.7/HP, 512 ± 39 ng/L and (452 ± 39) ng/L respectively. There were no significant changes of MVD, VEGF and PDGF-BB levels compared with pretreatment \[MVD 33.2 ± 5.6/HP,VEGF (498 ± 55) ng/L, PDGF-BB (488 ± 44) ng/L\] (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggested that continuous low-dose CP metronomic chemotherapy could decrease microvessel density of bone marrow in MM patients. Furthermore, it down-regulated expression of serum VEGF and PDGF-BB to exert its anti-angiogenesis in MM.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microvessels ; drug effects ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; blood ; blood supply ; drug therapy ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis ; blood ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

OBJECTIVETo establish a quantitative mathematical model of Shen-deficiency syndrome of TCM by utilizing whole-genome transcriptional profiles.

METHODSThe 4, 10, 18, 24 months old SD rats were used, 24-months aged rats intervened by Epimedium Flavonoids (EF) were adopted in the experiment. Rats' hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal, lymphocytes, bone, liver, and kidney, and spleen were taken for determining whole-genome mRNA expression with gene chip, and a quantitative nerve network model was established by utilizing the gene expression profile of different aged rats, then the model was used to evaluate the effects of EF on Shen-deficiency syndrome.

RESULTSTotally 199 genes showing age-dependent characteristics were screened out from the 7 kinds of tissue, most of them were neuro-endocrine immune related genes. Evaluation based on the mathematical model showed the age of hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal, liver, kidney, bone, and spleen in the 24-months rats after EF intervention was 12.64, 10.87, 8.10, 12.70, 11.93, 13.14, and 10.13 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONA quantitative mathematical model can be established based on the gene expression profile, it is suitable for estimating the efficacy of Shen-tonifying drugs. EF can make the gene expression of elder close to the young state, suggesting that EF has action in improving Shen-deficiency syndrome and delaying senescence.

Animals ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Kidney Diseases ; diagnosis ; genetics ; prevention & control ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Models, Theoretical ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Syndrome ; Yang Deficiency ; diagnosis ; genetics ; prevention & control