AIMTo study preventive and therapeutic effect of zinc sulfate on lung injury during superior mesenteric artery occlusion (SMAO) shock and their mechanism of action.

METHODSModel of rabbit SMAO shock was made. The effect of zinc sulfate on the malondialdehyde (MDA) in erythrocyte membrane and plasma, oxidase (XOD) in plasma, superoxide dismutase (SOD) in erythrocyte and MDA, SOD and pulmonary surfactant (PS) in lung tissues homogenate were observed.

RESULTSThe administration of zinc sulfate decreased MDA and XOD, prevented the reduction of SOD and PS, and alleviated lung injury.

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that lung is injured during SMAO shock and zinc sulfate possesses preventive and therapeutic effect, through stabilized membrane.

Animals ; Female ; Lung ; metabolism ; Lung Injury ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; pathology ; Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion ; complications ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Shock ; complications ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Zinc Sulfate ; therapeutic use

AIMTo investigate the role of endothelin-1 in the pathogenesis of neurogenetic pulmonary edema.

METHODSThe levels of endothelin-1 in plasma and lung were measured in rats which suffered from diffuse brain injury on Marmarous' model. The changes of endothelin-1 in the lungs were also detected using an immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSAfter heavy diffuse brain injury in rats, the levels of endothelin-1 in plasma and lung began increasing at 1 hour, and peaked at 6 hour. Though a little declining at 24 hour, it maintained a higher level within 48 hours (P < 0.05). Pulmonary pathology showed that after brain injury there were congestion, swelling in pulmonary microvessels with broadened pulmonary interstitial tissue, and leucocyte infiltration was dominated by neutrophils and monocytes from 1 hour on, which peaked at 6 hour. More serious congestion, swelling and protein effusion in pulmonary alveoli were observed at both 24 h and 48 h. Immunohistochemically, endothelin-1 had more significant expression and higher levels of OD in the experimental groups than that in the control's, the most significance of which was at 6 hour.

CONCLUSIONThe inflammatory injury mechanism caused by endothelin-1 may play an important role in neurogenic pulmonary edema.

Animals ; Endothelin-1 ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Edema ; etiology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Aim To investigate the protective effects of supercritical CO2 fluid extract(SFE)of Notoginseng a-gainst glutamate-induced PC12 cells damage and the underlying mechanism. Methods PC12 cells were dealt with glutamate to establish cell models. MTT as-say,LDH method,Hoschst 33342 staining,Fluo-3 /AM fluorescence staining and Western blot were used to observe the changes of cell viability,intracellular Ca2 + concentration and the expression of protein that interacted with C kinase l(PICK1)and glutamate re-ceptors 2 (GluR2),respectively. Results Glutamate was cytotoxic to PC12 cells with an inhibitory concen-tration 50(IC 50 )of 25 mmol·L - 1 . Pretreatment with SFE(25,50,100 mg·L-1)and FSC231(100 μmol ·L-1 )and SFE(100 mg·L-1 )+FSC231(100μmol ·L-1 )remarkablely improved cell viability,reduced LDH leakage,decreased apoptosis rate,debased intra-cellular calcium concentration,decreased the expres-sion of PICK1 ,and increased the expression of GluR2 . Conclusions SFE of Notoginseng shows protective effects against glutamate-induced PC12 cell damage, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PICK1 and the increase of GluR2 protein expression.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the mRNA and protein expressions of peroxiredoxin II (PrxII) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their significance.

METHODSHCC was induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in 6 tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis). The expression levels of PrxII mRNA and protein were detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot on HCC tissues and on their surrounding liver tissues (para-HCC). Biopsied liver tissues were taken before the HCC induction (pre-HCC) from the same animals and from a group of blank controlled animals that served as controls. Liver biopsy specimens from 18 cases of human HCC and from 17 healthy human volunteers were studied using the same methods.

RESULTSThe mRNA and protein expressions of PrxII in tree shrew HCC tissues were significantly higher than those in para-HCC and pre-HCC tissues, and also higher than those in the liver tissues from the control animals (all P < 0.05). The expression levels of PrxII mRNA and protein in human HCC tissues were also significantly higher than those in their para-HCC tissues and in the human normal liver tissues (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPrxII might play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis and might be used as a molecular target for HCC prevention and treatment.

Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peroxiredoxins ; genetics ; Tupaiidae

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical feature of patients with atrial septal defects (ASD) and the safety and efficacy of transcatheter closure of ASD in elderly patients.

METHODSBetween May 2000 and June 2010, 82 patients aged (64.5 ± 3.8) years underwent attempted transcatheter ASD closure. Right heart catheterization was performed before intervention. Echocardiography was made at 1 day, 1, 3, 6 months after the procedure. The pre- and post-closure clinical feature, pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and cardiac function were evaluated.

RESULTSIn 82 patients, 37 (45.1%) patients were associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The systolic PAP and mean PAP [(44.1 ± 12.4) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) and (25.2 ± 6.8) mm Hg, respectively] were measured by right heart catheterization before the procedure. One patient was unsuitable for closure because of severe PAH. The remaining 81 patients underwent successful ASD closure without major complications. After closuring, systolic PAP decreased from (52.7 ± 10.3) mm Hg to (31.8 ± 6.3) mm Hg (P < 0.05), and mean PAP descended from (30.9 ± 4.7) mm Hg to (21.8 ± 3.4) mm Hg (P < 0.05) in the 36 patients with PAH. The cardiac function improved post procedure. There were 6 new-onset atrial fibrillations during follow up.

CONCLUSIONSASD in elderly patients are commonly associated with PAH. Transcatheter ASD closure is safe and effective in the majority of elderly patients.

Aged ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the protective effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on the lung injury following with limbs ischemia /reperfusion (LI/R).

METHODSThe models of LI/R injury were constructed in rabbits. The blood from right external jugular vein and left common carotid artery, into and out-flowing pulmonary blood (IPB, OPB) respectively. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) in IPB and OPB and lung tissues were measured, as well as total nitric oxide synthase (tNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lung tissues were detected in different groups. The effects of IPC on the lung injury were observed.

RESULTSCompared with sham and before ischemic, the activity of SOD decreased and the content of MDA and NO increased after 4 h ischemia followed by 4 h reperfusion in IPB, OPB and lung tissues. The activity of tNOS and iNOS in lung tissues increased remarkably as well, there was statistical significance (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). SOD increased and MDA, NO, tNOS, iNOS decreased significantly by IPC before ischemia/reperfusion. The correlation analysis indicated that MDA was negatively correlated with SOD and was positively correlated with MDA, NO, iNOS (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOxygen free radicals metabolic confusion of lung occurred in the course of LI/R, IPC could strengthen the resistance of peroxidation in lung and had protective effects on the lung injury following with LI/R.

Animals ; Extremities ; blood supply ; Female ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Lipid Peroxidation ; physiology ; Lung Injury ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Reperfusion Injury ; physiopathology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the enhancing effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on the bystander effect of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase(HSV-TK)/ganciclovir (GCV) against androgen unresponsive prostate cancer.

METHODSThe bystander effect of the HSV-TK/GCV system was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay on PC-3 cells before and after ATRA treatment. The growth and the histopathology of transplant tumors were observed in 4 groups of nude mice with prostate cancer.

RESULTSATRA augmented significantly the bystander effect of the HSV-TK/GCV system by reducing TK positive PC-3 cells from 50% to 30% (P < 0.05). HSV-TK showed an inhibiting effect, while ATRA with the HSV-TK/GCV system produced significant effect on prostate cancer 1 week earlier than the former (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONATRA can argument the in vivo and in vitro bystander effect of the HSV-TK/GCV system in the treatment of androgen unresponsive prostate cancer.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Bystander Effect ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Ganciclovir ; pharmacology ; Genes, Transgenic, Suicide ; genetics ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; therapy ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Simplexvirus ; enzymology ; Thymidine Kinase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; methods

AIMTo study the influence of astragalus and zinc sulfate on the viscosity in erythrocyte membrane during intestinal I/R and their mechanism of action.

METHODSModels of rabbits intestinal I/R injury were made. The effect of astragalus and zinc sulfate on the viscosity and malondialdehyde (MDA) in erythrocyte membrane, superoxide dismutase (SOD) in erythrocyte, oxidase (XO) in plasma and MDA tissues homogenate were observed.

RESULTSThe administration of astragalus and zinc sulfate decreased viscosity and MDA and XO, prevented the reduction of SOD, and alleviated I/R injury.

CONCLUSIONLipid peroxidation injury of the erythrocyte membrane was one of the pathogenesis of I/R injury, and astragalus and the zinc sulfate possessed effects of anti-lipid peroxide, stabilized erythrocyte membrane, increased red blood cell deform ability and raised microcircular perfusion.

Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; Blood Viscosity ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Erythrocyte Membrane ; drug effects ; Female ; Intestines ; blood supply ; pathology ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Oxidoreductases ; analysis ; Rabbits ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; analysis ; Zinc Sulfate ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical feature and the effects of transcatheter closure of adult patients with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

METHODSBetween January 2000 and April 2009, 139 patients [22 male, aged from 40 to 74: (49.8 +/- 6.8) years] with PDA were hospitalized in our hospital. Clinical data and effects of transcatheter closure of PDA were analyzed.

RESULTSThere were 64 patients with NYHA classI, 53 with class II, 16 with class III and 6 with class IV before procedure. In 139 patients, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was found in 107 out of 139 patients (77.0%). Transcatheter PDA closure was not performed in 3 patients due to severe PAH and successfully performed in the remaining 136 patients (97.8%) without major complications. Post procedure aortic angiography evidenced minor residual shunt in 14 cases, small residual shunt in 2 cases and moderate shunt in 1 case. The NYHA class was significantly improved and the PAH significantly reduced [sPAP: (47.3 +/- 23.9) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) vs. (28.1 +/- 12.3) mm Hg, P < 0.01] post procedure.

CONCLUSIONPAH and heart failure were commonly associated with PDA in adult patients. Transcatheter PDA closure is safe and effective in these patients except those with severe PAH.

Adult ; Aged ; Cardiac Catheterization ; adverse effects ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; complications ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) may suppress the expression and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from tumor cells in vitro and inhibit the VEGF-induced proliferation of human tumor vascular endothelial cells.

METHODSHuman lung cancer cell line A549, human liver cancer cell line HepG2, human colon carcinoma cell lines HCT116 and HCT8 were used in this study. The expression levels of VEGF and TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) in the tumor cells with or without pretreatment of LMWH/heparin were measured by standard sandwich ELISA technique. The VEGF mRNA level of HepG2 cells cultured with or without LMWH/heparin was determined by RT-PCR and real time PCR. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured in tissue culture medium (TCM) with or without LMWH/heparin for 3 days. Then non-radioactive cell proliferation assay (MTS) kit and cell cycle assay by flow cytometry were performed to measure the proliferation of HUVEC.

RESULTSThe VEGF levels in the control, LMWH, and heparin groups of the pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell line A549 were (1045.89 +/- 165.30) pg/ml, (782.45 +/- 67.17) pg/ml and (916.54 +/- 71.25) pg/ml, respectively. The VEGF levels in the control, LMWH, and heparin groups of the colon adenocarcinoma cell line HCT116 were (955.76 +/- 51.14) pg/ml, (822.89 +/- 142.39) pg/ml and (951.77 +/- 188.22) pg/ml, respectively. The VEGF levels in the control, LMWH, and heparin groups in the colon adenocarcinoma cell line HCT8 were (1290.62 +/- 41.23) pg/ml, (1063.34 +/- 63.82) pg/ml and (1257.14 +/- 11.40) pg/ml, respectively. The VEGF levels in the control, LMWH, and heparin groups in the liver cancer cell line HepG2 were (1083.00 +/- 134.35) pg/ml, (758.00 +/- 84.85) pg/ml and (874.00 +/- 22.62) pg/ml, respectively. The VEGF expression levels in the above mentioned cell lines cultured in TCM were significantly reduced in the LMWH-treated groups compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05). But the level of TNF-alpha in TCM-cultured cells was unaffected by LMWH. The VEGF mRNA was reduced in the LMWH-treated HepG2 cell line. Moreover, TCM exhibited stimulating effect on proliferation of HUVEC and the effect was significantly impaired by LMWH treatment. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that LMWH treatment arrested HUVECs at the G1 phase of cell cycle.

CONCLUSIONLMWH can suppress the expression and secretion of VEGF by tumor cell lines and therefore have a potential inhibiting effect on angiogenesis induced by VEGF.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; HCT116 Cells ; Hep G2 Cells ; Heparin ; pharmacology ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism ; secretion