Objective:To study the in vitro and in vivo transdermal enhancement of one kind of arginine oligomer-chitosan ( CS-R9). Methods: In vitro mouse skin as the barrier, Franz diffusion cells were used to study the transdermal property of tinidazole ( TNZ) solution in vitro enhanced by CS-R9 using TNZ solution as the negative control and TNZ solution with Azone as the positive control. The rats were randomly divided into three groups, TNZ solution group ( the negative group) , TNZ solution with Azone group (the positive group) and TNZ solution with CS-R9 group. At the predetermined time intervals, 0. 5 ml blood was withdrawn from the rats and TNZ concentration was detected by HPLC to evaluate the enhancement of CS-R9 on TNZ in vivo. Results:Compared with the negative group, CS-R9 had significant enhancement on TNZ trandermal penetration in vitro(P <0.05), and showed no significant difference with Azone (P>0. 05). The in vivo results showed CS-R9 exhibited similar transdermal enhancement on TNZ as Azone at the same concentration (P>0. 05), and CS-R9 had sustalned-release property. Conclusion: CS-R9 has promising transdermal en-hancement on TNZ, which is valuable to be studied further.

Objective To explore the mechanism of vessel endothelial dysfunction in rats under intermittent hypoxia (IH). Methods The respiratory simulation system was used to simulate IH. Sixty C57BL/6J rats (male) were randomized into control group and IH group. The rats of IH group were exposed to IH 8 hours per day for 6 weeks. The serum levels of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1a and stromal cell derived factor (SDF)-1a were assessed by ELISA. The serum levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected in two groups. The serum expression of miR-199a-5p was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR in two groups. The dual luciferase report system and point mutation test were used to verify target gene for HIF-1a. Results The serum levels of HIF-1a and SDF-1a were significantly higher in IH group than those of control group (μg/L:1.60±0.02 vs. 1.19±0.02, 1 823.00±8.97 vs. 1 444.00±17.90, P<0.01). The serum level of ROS was significantly higher in IH group than that of control group (U/mL:487.66±35.73 vs. 211.57±23.82, P<0.01). The serum level of miR-199a-5p expression was significantly lower in IH group compared to that of control group (1.31±0.07 vs. 3.47± 0.17, P<0.01). The result of dual luciferase reporter gene detection confirmed that target gene of miR-199a-5p was HIF-1a. Conclusion The serum level of miR-199a-5p is decreased first due to IH, and then its target gene (HIF-1a) is increased. HIF-1a can induce the increased level of SDF-1a, and its receptor (CXCR-4 ) is also increased. Finally, HIF-1a can increase the serum level of ROS, resulting in the endothelial dysfunction.

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) on high-glucose mediated permeability,proliferation and migration in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs).Methods HRMECs were divided into 4 groups:normal group (5 mmol · L-1 glucose),high glucose group (25 mmol · L-1 glucose),NC (Negative control for siRNA) + high glucose group and siADAM17 (ADAM17 siRNA) + high glucose group.The expression of ADAM17 was detected using real time PCR and Western blot.Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) was used to detect the permeability of HRMECs.Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8)and BrdU were used to evaluate cell proliferation.Cell migration was determined using Transwell assay.In addition,the expression of p-EGFR,p-ERK and MMP9 was assayed using Western blot.Results Compared with normal group,the mRNA and protein levels of ADAM17 were increased in high glucose group (P ＜ 0.01).ADAM17 expression of siADAM17 + high glucose group was markedly reduced compared with NC + high glucose group.High glucose increased the permeability of HRP comparison to normal group,whereas in siADAM17 + high glucose group the permeability of HRP was reduced compared with NC + high glucose group.The optical density of HRMECs was decreased in siADAM17 + high glucose group 1.53 ± 0.29 in comparison with NC + high glucose group 2.43 ± 0.25,as well as the content of BrdU-incorporation(P ＜ 0.05).The number of migrated cells in high glucose group,NC + high glucose group,siADAM17 + high glucose group and normal group were 157.00 ± 7.93,169.00 ± 10.12,121.00 ± 9.28,110.00 ±8.25,respectively.Moreover,the expression of p-EGFR,p-ERK and MMP9 in siADAM17 +high glucose group was decreased compared with NC + high glucose group (all P ＜0.01).Conclusion SiADAM17 can reduce the cell permeability,suppressed and migration induced by high glucose via EGFR/ERK/MMP9 signaling pathway.

AIM: To evaluate visual acuity outcomes after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD).METHODS: We reviewed the medical documents of the patients who underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation surgery during June 2013 and January 2016.Totally 61 eyes of 48 patients with wAMD in the stable stage were recruited.The pre-and post-operative vision of selected cases were recorded and compared.RESULTS: After phacoemulsification and intralocular lens implantation, visual acuity changes were as follows: 49 eyes improved, 11 eyes retained, and 1 eye deteriorated.Visual acuity improvement after cataract surger were statistically significant (P<0.001).Visual acuity improvement was not related to age.CONCLUSION: Visual acuity improved in patients with wet AMD after phacoemulcification and intraocular lens implantation.

AIM:To evaluate 23G vitrectomy for macular edema in eyes with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) combined with vitreoretinal traction (VMT) or epiretinal membrane (ERM).METHODS:Totally 22 patients (22 eyes) diagnosed with macular edema of RVO combined with VMT or ERM were retrospectively analyzed.Twelve cases performed with 23G vitrectomy together with peeling of inner limiting membrane (ILM) and/or ERM were considered as the observation group or intervention group.Ten cases without vitrectomy were recruited as control group.The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) at baseline, 1, 3 and 6mo were recorded and compared.RESULTS:At baseline, the difference of BCVA and CRT between observation group and control group was not statistically significant (P=0.645, 0.206).After vitrectomy, the BCVA and CRT of RVO patients in observation group were significantly improved compared with baseline at each follow-up (F=2.895, P=0.048;F=16.431, P<0.01).However, the BCVA and CRT in control group remained the same as baseline at every follow-up.Moreover, the BCVA and CRT in observation group were much better than that in control group at both 3 and 6mo after vitrectomy.However, the BCVA and CRT between two groups were not significantly different at 1mo postoperatively.CONCLUSION:The 23G vitrectomy could markedly improve BCVA and reduce CRT in RVO patients with macular edema combined with VMT and/or ERM.

BACKGROUND:How to make more transplanted bone marrow stem cel s stay and differentiate in the liver is an important issue, which is also crucial for treatment of liver cirrhosis via the hepatic artery.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the therapeutic effect of autologous bone marrow stem cel transplantation via the hepatic artery on liver cirrhosis.
METHODS:Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were equivalently randomized into normal control, stem cel transplantation and model groups. Animal models of liver cirrhosis were made in the latter two groups. Then, model rabbits in the stem cel transplantation group were subjected to autologous bone marrow stem cel transplantation via the hepatic artery. Liver function of rabbits was detected in 1, 2, 4, 8, 10 weeks after cel transplantation, and pathological detection of the liver was performed in the 10th week.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 10 weeks after cel transplantation, the liver function of the rabbits was improved significantly compared with the model group, including reduced activities of serum alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin and aspartate aminotransferase, shortened activated partial thromboplastin time, and increased albumin level (P<0.05). Pathological examination of the liver showed that the liver cel s in the stem cel transplantation group were intact with no obvious edema and stil had the structure of the pseudolobule, and compared with the model group, the degree of liver fibrosis was significantly reduced in the stem cel transplantation group. Our experimental results show that the transplantation of autologous bone marrow stem cel s via the hepatic artery has a certain therapeutic effect on liver cirrhosis by increasing the body albumin content in a short time and improving the liver function.

Objective To evaluate the ability of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)in differentiating pancreatic carcinoma from chronic lump type pancreatitis. Methods Totally 38 cases of pancreatic cancer, 9 cases of chronic lump type pancreatitis, 15 cases of normal patients underwent DWI. DWI with b value＝0, 500, 1 000 s/mm2 was performed twice. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was measured by analysis of imagines of ADC. Results The mean ADC value of 38 subjects with pancreatic carcinoma was (1.411± 0.101)×10-3 mm2/sec, the mean ADC value of 9 subjects with lump type pancreatitis was (1.053±0.113) ×10-3 mm2/sec, and the mean ADC value of normal pancreas subjects was (1.245±0.112)×10-3 mm2/s. The difference between the three groups were statistically significant (P＜0.05). Conclusions DWI may have the clinical potential to differentiate chronic lump type pancreatitis from pancreatic carcinoma.

Objective To evaluate the effect of hyperhomocysteinemia on ischemic diease in rats. Methods Thirty-two SD rats were randomized into two groups,control group(n=16,administered with tap water) and hyperhomocysteinemia group(HH group,n=16,administered with water containing L-methionine at 1 g/kg/d).At the 14thday of dietary modification,the left femoral artery and vein were excised,and the interventions continued for another 14 days.At the 15th day after operation,serum biochemical parameters as well as NOx and cGMP in ischemic tissues were tested,capillary vessel density of both hindlimbs were measured by histological analysis,and angiogenesis of ischemic hindlimb was observed by angiography. Results At the 15th day after operation,the level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C),blood urea nitrogen,uric acid and ratio of blood urea nitrogen to serum creatinine were significantly higher in HH group than those in control group,while the level of serum folic acid,VitB12,HDL-C and endogenous creatinine clearance rate were significantly lower in HH group than those in control group(P

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Chaizhixiaji Decoction on experimental bile reflux gastritis (BRG) rats.Methods Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups by random according to weight and sex:control group,model group,Chaizhixiaji Decoction low and high dose groups,and Hydrotalcite Tablets group.Rats were given self-made reflux liquid orally to induce experimental bile reflux gastritis.The diet,stool and urine,hair color and body weight of rats in control group and model group were observed.The histopathological changes of gastric antrum mucosa were observed by naked eyeand light microscope after HE staining.ELISA method was used for detection of serum GAS,PGE2 content in gastric antrum mucosa.Result Compared with control group,rats in model group show thin boicing stool containing red yellow mucus,slow reaction,and body weight decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.05).There were patchy erosions of the gastric antrum with yellow green bile and more yellow mucus of model group in the naked eye.Model control group had a significant rise of inflammatory cells infiltration and intestinal metaplasia,and scores of inflammation and intestinal metaplasia increased significantly (P ＜ 0.01).GAS and PGE2 contents obviously decreased compared with that in control group (P ＜ 0.01).Compare with model group,Chaizhixiaji Decoction of high dosesignificantly improved gastric mucosal tissue damage morphology;reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells and intestinal metaplasia,which score decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.05,0.01);and increasedlevels of GAS and PGE2 significantly (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Chaizhixiaji Decoction has obvious protective effect on gastric mucosa,and its mechanism may be related with the regulation of GAS,PGE2 contents.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression changes of acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) on Chlamydia pneumoniae (C.pn) induced foam cell formation.

METHODSHuman monocytic cell line (THP-1) was induced into macrophages by 160 nmol/L phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) for 48 h, and were randomly allocated into four groups: negative control group (50 microg/ml LDL for 48 h); positive control group (50 microg/ml ox-LDL for 48 h); C.pn infection group (50 microg/ml LDL plus 1 x 10(5), 4 x 10(5), 5 x 10(5) and 1 x 10(6) IFU C.pn for 48 h or 1 x 10(6) IFU C.pn for 0, 24, 48 and 72 h); ACAT inhibitor 58-035 plus C.pn infection group (1, 5, 10 microg/ml ACAT inhibitor 58-035 pretreatment for 1 h, 50 microg/ml LDL and 1 x 10(6) IFU C.pn for 48 h). The mRNA and protein expressions of ACAT1 were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Lipid droplets in cytoplasm were observed by oil red O staining. The contents of intracellular cholesteryl esters were detected by enzyme-fluorescence.

RESULTSThe mRNA and protein expressions of ACAT1 were significantly up-regulated in positive control cells compared those in negative control cells and further upregulated by C.pn infection in a time-dependent and concentration-dependent manner (all P < 0.05). There were significantly increases in the accumulation of lipid droplets and the ratio of cholesteryl ester to total cholesterol in positive control cells as compared with negative control cells and these were further aggravated by C.pn (at the concentrations of 5 x 10(5) and 1 x 10(6) IFU for 48 h) and C.pn infection induced increases in the accumulation of lipid droplets and the ratio of cholesteryl ester to total cholesterol could be significantly attenuated by ACAT inhibitor 58-035 (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONChlamydia pneumoniae induces THP-1-derived foam cell formation by up-regulating the expression of ACAT1.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae ; Foam Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Monocytes ; cytology ; Sterol O-Acyltransferase ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation