Objective To investigate the effects of Dihuang Yinzi (DY) on the receptor for advanced glycation end-products(RAGE)/reactive oxygen species(ROS)/apoptosis pathway in SH-SY5Y cells induced by amyloid-beta1-42 (Aβ1-42) oligomer. Methods Firstly, we adopted methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) method to detect the cell vitality in fetal bovine serum (FBS) group, blank serum group, and low-, middle- and high- dose DY-containing serum groups, so as to confirm the optimal concentration and treatment time of DY-containing serum. Secondly, we applied MTT method to detect cell vitality and applied Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining method to observe the apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells treated with 0~20 μmol/L Aβ1-42 for 24 and 48 h, so as toconfirm the optimal concentration and treatment time of Aβ1-42 for establishing Alzheimer's disease (AD) model in vitro. Thirdly, MTT method was used for the detection of cell vitality, and Annexin V/PI staining method was used for detection of the apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells in blank serum group, model group, western medicine control group and low-, middle-and high-dose DY-containing serum groups, and Dihydroethidium (DHE) method was used for the assay of ROS contents, so as to observe the effect of DY on the recovery of injured SH-SY5Y cells induced by Aβ1-42. Finally, we applied Western blot method to detect the expression level of RAGE in SH-SY5Y cells of blank group, model group and DY-containing serum group; after Aβ1-42-induced SH-SY5Y cells were transfected with RAGE gene, we adopted DHE staining method and Annexin V/PI staining method to detect ROS content and cell apoptotic rate in all of the above groups, so as to observe the effect of DY on SH-SY5Y cell apoptosis and RAGE expression. Results The cell vitalities were increased in low- and middle-dose DY-containing serum groups at 24 h (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 compared with that in the blank serum group). The conditions for the establishment of AD model in vitro were as follows: the optimal concentration of Aβ1-42 was 5μmol/L, and the treatment time was 24 h. The cell vitalities were significantly enhanced, the cell apoptotic rate and ROS content were significantly lowered in Aβ1-42-induced SH-SY5Y cells of the medication groups(P <0.05 or P < 0.01 compared with those in the model group) , and the cell vitality was the highest and the cell apoptotic rate was the lowest in the middle-dose DY-containing serum group. The RAGE expression level was decreased in Aβ1-42-induced SH-SY5Y cells of the middle-dose DY-containing serum group(P < 0.05 compared with that in the model group) . ROS content and cell apoptotic rate were decreased in Aβ1-42-induced SH-SY5Y cells transfected with RAGE gene in the middle-dose DY-containing serum group (P<0.01). Conclusion DY may play an anti-oxidative role through inhibiting the production of ROS and cell apoptosis, thus to suppress RAGE protein and to achieve the preventive and therapeutic effect for AD.

Objective To study clinical feature and therapeutic choice of pituitary adenomas. Methods The clinical data of 239 cases of pituitary adenomas were analyzed. Results Total 93 male and 146 female cases were recruited. The average age was (43.8 ± 14.9 ) years old (3.9-77 years). Prolactinomas were the most common pituitary adenomas (26.8%) , 179 patients (74.9%) underwent surgery, of which 108 (60.3%) with transsphenoidal approach and 71 (39.7%) transcranial approach. The other 60 cases were treated nonsurgically. Conclusions Pituitary adenomas may present hormonal abnormalities or neurological symptoms.Some adenomas were accidently detected by MRI. Prolactinomas were the most common pituitary adenomas.

Objective To observe the expression of MMP-1, TNF-a in cholesteatoma and to determine their roles in the destruction of bone and their correlation. Methods Immunohistochemical method and the computer image quantitative analysis were used to examine the expression of TNF-α and MMP-1 in 22 cases of chotesteatomamiddle ear and 20 cases of normal external acoustic meatus skin. Results Positive stainings of MMP-1 and TNF-α were both localized in cytoplasm. The MMP-1 positive cells were found in all strata of cholesteatoma epithelium and active multiplication stromal cell. TNF-α was expressed in both epithlium and stromal cells. The results of the computer image quantitative analysis showed that the mean optical density of MMP-1 (0. 2013±0. 0106) and TNF-α (0.3852±0.0318) in cholesteatoma were higher than that in normal skin epithelial tissue( P＜0.05 ). Conclusion (1)MMP-1 and TNF-α are overexpressed in cholesteatoma. (2)MMP-1 and TNF-α have a correlation in their expression. (3)MMP-1 and TNF-α are both observed in stromal cells which indicates that stromal cells play an irnportant role in bone destruction.