BACKGROUND: Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is indicated as a broad-spectrum medicine for a variety of diseases, including cancer and cardiac disease. While the role of ATO in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) has not been reported. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the effects of ATO on HIRI. METHODS: In the present study, we established a 70% hepatic warm I/R injury and partial hepatectomy (30% resection) animal models in vivo and hepatocytes anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) models in vitro with ATO pretreatment and further assessed liver function by histopathologic changes, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cell counting kit-8, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was transfected to evaluate the role of ERK1/2 pathway during HIRI, followed by ATO pretreatment. The dynamic process of autophagic flux and numbers of autophagosomes were detected by green fluorescent protein-monomeric red fluorescent protein-LC3 (GFP-mRFP-LC3) staining and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: A low dose of ATO (0.75 μmol/L in vitro and 1 mg/kg in vivo ) significantly reduced tissue necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, and hepatocyte apoptosis during the process of hepatic I/R. Meanwhile, ATO obviously promoted the ability of cell proliferation and liver regeneration. Mechanistically, in vitro  studies have shown that nontoxic concentrations of ATO can activate both ERK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-serine/threonine kinase (PI3K-AKT) pathways and further induce autophagy. The hepatoprotective mechanism of ATO, at least in part, relies on the effects of ATO on the activation of autophagy, which is ERK-dependent. CONCLUSION Low, non-toxic doses of ATO can activate ERK/PI3K-AKT pathways and induce ERK-dependent autophagy in hepatocytes, protecting liver against I/R injury and accelerating hepatocyte regeneration after partial hepatectomy.
Animals ; Arsenic Trioxide ; Autophagy/physiology* ; Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control* ; Mice ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/physiology* ; Arsenicals/therapeutic use* ; Oxides/therapeutic use* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the characteristics of reoperative valve surgery after previous open-heart valve surgery. METHODS: From 1996 to 2010, 155 patients who underwent reoperative valve surgery, either valve replacement or tricuspid annuloplasty or the repair of perivalvular leakage were included in the study. The reoperative interval was 1-266 (94.82 ± 85.37) months. All surgeries were carried out with extracorporeal circulation under moderated hypothermia. The cardioplegic solution in cold crystal or blood was used if heart beating was stopped during the surgery. RESULTS: The total in-hospital mortality was 5.81%, while it was 2.75% from 2005 to 2010. The end-diastolic dimension, size of atrium and ventricles were reduced after the reoperation. Ventricular arrhythmia and low cardiac output were the most frequent complications. CONCLUSION The success rate of reoperative valve surgery can be improved by the distinctive therapeutic strategies based on the clinical characteristics and therapy principles obtained from practice experiences.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cardiac Output, Low ; etiology ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Child ; Female ; Heart Valve Diseases ; mortality ; surgery ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; adverse effects ; methods ; mortality ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reoperation ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; etiology ; Young Adult

The paper discusses the experimental teaching reform of biochemistry by referring to the characteristics of biochemical development and special feature.The reform increases effectually the interests of medical students,and may contribute to their creative competence and the abilities of scientific research.

Purpose　The aim is to study the effects of solubl e chit osan on antitumor factors and NK cell activity in rats.Methods　The level of NO、TNF produced by peritoneal macrophages,IFN-γ production and NK ce ll activity of spleen was detected,after different concentrations of chitosan we re injected into the sarcoma 180 rats peritoneally.Results　Th e cont ents of NO、TNF、IFN-γ and NK cell activity in sacroma 180 rats were significa ntly higher in the chitosan groups than those in the control group (P＜0.01) .Conclusion　Chitosan could impove the immune function in rats .