Objective To observe the effects of Yiqi Huoxue Tuodu Prescription on Keap1Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in rats with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis(CNP);To explore its mechanism for the treatment of CNP.Methods CNP rat model was prepared using castration combined with estrogen induction method.Totally 48 SD rats were divided into blank group,model group,celecoxib group and Yiqi Huoxue Tuodu Prescription group according to the random number table method,with 12 rats in each group.In the celecoxib group,celecoxib suspension was instilled 0.035 g/kg,and in the Yiqi Huoxue Tuodu Prescription group,Yiqi Huoxue Tuodu Prescription water decoction was instilled 8.64 g/kg,and the blank group and the model group were instilled with equal volume of normal saline for 28 days.Mechanical pain threshold in rats was measured using Von Frey fiber optic pain gauge,HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in prostate tissue and pathological scoring,the content of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in prostate tissue were detected by chemical fluorescence method and the glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)activity and malondialdehyde(MDA)content in prostate tissue were detected by colorimetric method,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of Kelch like ECH related protein 1(Keap1),nuclear factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2),and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)protein in prostate tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,rats in the model group had significantly lower mechanical pain threshold and significantly decreased prostate index(P<0.01);the size of the glandular cavity in prostate tissue varied,with the disappearance of secretions in the cavity,interstitial looseness and edema,a large amount of fibrous tissue hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration,and a significant increase in pathological scores(P<0.01);the contents of ROS and MDA in prostate tissue significantly increased,the activity of GSH-Px significantly decreased(P<0.01),the expression of Keap1 and Nrf2 proteins significantly decreased,and the expression of HO-1 protein significantly increased(P<0.01,P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the mechanical pain threshold of the rats in the Yiqi Huoxue Tuodu Prescription group was significantly higher(P<0.01);there was mild damage to prostate tissue,with a small amount of fibrous hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration,and a significant decrease in pathological scores(P<0.01,P<0.05);the contents of ROS and MDA in prostate tissue significantly decreased,and the GSH-Px activity significantly increased(P<0.01),the Keap1 and Nrf2 protein expressions significantly increased and HO-1 protein expression significantly decreased in prostate tissue(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Yiqi Huoxue Tuodu Prescription can effectively improve the histopathological morphology and increase the pain threshold of the prostate gland in CNP rats,and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and reduction of oxidative stress damage in prostate tissue of rats.

BACKGROUND:There are many postmenopausal women taking hormone, which leads to much loss of bone mass, further inducing fragility fractures. The studies on the hormone exposure combined with ovariectomy-induced osteoporotic model are still immature, and the related molecular mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To establish the rat osteoporotic model induced by ovariectomy combined with glucocorticoid exposure and to explore the underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS: Thirty 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into blank control, sham and model groups (n=10 per group). The rats in the blank control group received no intervention; rats in the sham group were clipped off a little of coeliac adipose tissue; the model rats received bilateral ovariectomy and 4-week administration of glucocorticoid. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 4 weeks after modeling, compared with blank control and sham groups, the model group showed significantly lower bone mineral density of the femur, number of bone trabeculae and bone volume/total volume, and significantly wider bone trabecular spacing. Additionally, the model group revealed the damaged bone trabecular structure and thiner cortical bone. The expression level of Runx2 was downregulated whereas both collagen type 1α1 and peroxisome proliferators activated receptor γ mRNA were upregulated in the model group. These findings suggest that ovariectomized rats exposed to glucocorticoid rapidly develop femur osteoporosis, maybe by downregulating the expression of Runx2, as well as upregualting collagen type 1α1 and peroxisome proliferators activatedreceptor γ mRNA.

BACKGROUNDThe operating microscopes have been applied to modern surgery for nearly a century. However, generations of microsurgeons have to flex their necks and fix their eyes on the eyepieces of a microscope continually that leads to physical and mental fatigue during a long operation. Stereoscopic three-dimensional (3D) media provides more ergonomic working environment, subsequently, resulting better performance in tasks and more accurate judgment. In this study, an alternative method of magnification was analyzed using a three-dimensional microsurgical video system and compared with the traditional method under microscopy to evaluate the availability and feasibility of a 3D microsurgical video system for microvascular anastomosis.

METHODSForty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups with each of 10. In 20 rats, 10 femoral artery anastomoses with a conventional microscope (arterial microscope group) were compared with that of 10 femoral artery anastomoses with a 3D microsurgical video system (arterial 3D group). For the other 20 rats, 10 femoral vein anastomoses using a conventional microscope (venous microscope group) were compared with that of 10 femoral vein anastomoses using a 3D microsurgical video system (venous 3D group). The arterial and venous microscope groups were considered to be the control groups. The arterial and venous 3D groups were the experimental groups. The examined criteria were as follows: anastomotic time, patency right after the procedure and 10 days later, number of sutures, vessel caliber, and pathological features.

RESULTSThere were no differences between the operating equipment with respect to vessel caliber, anastomotic time, patency rate, number of sutures, and pathological changes in either the small arteries or veins. The average arterial anastomotic time of the arterial microscope group and arterial 3D group was 34.21 and 33.87 minutes, respectively (P > 0.05). The average venous anastomotic time of the venous microscope group and venous 3D group was 29.95 and 31.50 minutes, respectively (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSA small vessel anastomosis can be performed successfully with the help of a 3D display system. Although the vascular anastomotic time did not demonstrate a significant difference between the groups, the 3D microsurgical video system offers another option to improve the working environment for surgeons. Further development of our 3D monitoring system should focus on a higher resolution and better flexibility.

Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Animals ; Female ; Femoral Artery ; surgery ; Femoral Vein ; surgery ; Microscopy, Video ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To investigate the effect of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV-TK/GGV)system driven by human alpha fetoprotein(AFP)enhancer on hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)cells in vitro and in vivo.Methods HCC-specific eukarotypic expression vector carrying suicide gene driven by AFP enhancer(pAFP-cDNA3.1-TK)was constructed.The plasmid was trasfected to AFP-positive HepG2 cells and AFP-negative SMMC7721 cells by liposomes.Protein and mRNA expressions of TK were detected by RT-PCR or Western blot.The survival rates of HCC cells were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay.The effects of GGV on the in vitro proliferation,survival and apoptosis of HCC cells were observed,and the inhibitive effect of GGV on the survival of HCC cells in vivo was also detected.All data were analyzed by using the t test.Results The pAFP-cDNA3.1-TK was successfully constructed and transfected to the HCC cells.The protein and mRNA expressions of TK were detected in AFP-positive HepG2 cells.GGV dose-and time-dependently inhibited the growth and induced the apoptosis of HepG2 cells in vitro,but it had no effect on SMMC7721 cells.No protein or mRNA expression of TK was detected in the SMMC7721 cells.There was a significant difference on the inhibitory effects of GGV on HepG2 cells and SMMC7721 cells(t =2.58,2.73,3.12,P ＜0.05).GGV specifically inhibited the growth of AFP-positive HepG2 cells,and the inhibition rate was 46%;the growth of AFP-negative SMMC7721 cells was not influenced by GGV.There was a significant difference in the inhibitive effect of GGV on the growth of HepG2 cells and SMMC7721 cells(t = 3.36,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion HSV-TK/GGV systemdriven by human APF enhancer kills APF-positive HCC cells and inhibits the growth of HCC cells.

To study the therapeutic effects of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene transferred by the EBV-based expression vector (pDR2) on experimental hepatocellular carcinoma, pDR2-TK gene was delivered into human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 by using liposome-mediated transfection technique，and then gene expression was detected by RT-PCR, and the killing effects were examined through MTT method. In the nude mice hepatoma model，the antitumor effects of pDR2-TK /GCV system was evaluated in terms of tumor growth. MTT results showed that the pDR2-TK /GCV had cytotoxic effect and about 70 % SMMC-7721 cells were killed when GCV was at 1000 μmol/L. In vivo experiment showed that the tumor size in nude mice with transferred pDR2-TK gene was significantly smaller than that in control group (P<0.01). On the 10th day the tumor in 3 mice (60 %） disappeared completely after GCV treatment. It is concluded that the pDR2-TK/GCV system has marked killing effects on the experimental hepatocellular carcinoma.

To study the therapeutic effects of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene transferred by the EBV-based expression vector (pDR2) on experimental hepatocellular carcinoma, pDR2-TK gene was delivered into human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 by using liposome-mediated transfection technique，and then gene expression was detected by RT-PCR, and the killing effects were examined through MTT method. In the nude mice hepatoma model，the antitumor effects of pDR2-TK /GCV system was evaluated in terms of tumor growth. MTT results showed that the pDR2-TK /GCV had cytotoxic effect and about 70 % SMMC-7721 cells were killed when GCV was at 1000 μmol/L. In vivo experiment showed that the tumor size in nude mice with transferred pDR2-TK gene was significantly smaller than that in control group (P<0.01). On the 10th day the tumor in 3 mice (60 %） disappeared completely after GCV treatment. It is concluded that the pDR2-TK/GCV system has marked killing effects on the experimental hepatocellular carcinoma.

ObjectiveTo study the value of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in the (diagnosis) of acute pancreatitis (AP) associated with infection. MethodsSixty SD rats were randomly (assigned) into group AP (n=40) and sham-operation group (S, n=20). Plasma CRP and IL-6 were detected before AP(0h), and at 12h, 24h and 48h after AP. Serum amylase detection and ascitic bacteria culture were carried out at 48h. Results(1)In AP group, 36 rats were alive. Ascitic infection developed in 16 cases (group AP1), and not in the other 20 cases (group AP2). (2)Plasma CRP and IL-6 levels in group AP1 and AP2 were significantly higher than those in group S (all, P0.05). (3)In group AP1, IL-6 and CRP elevated significantly at all time periods after the model setup (P0.05). (Conclusions)Plasma CRP has predictive value in the diagnosis of early infection in acute pancreatitis, but plasma IL-6 is not sensitive to secondary bacteria infection in acute pancreatitis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and isolation efficiency of percutaneous selective isolated hepatic perfusion chemotherapy(PSIHP). MethodsSix pigs underwent the procedure of routine transhepatic arterial infusion(HAI) and 6 underwent PSIHP.5-FU was used in this study. The drug(5-FU) (concentration) of blood from hepatic and systemic veins of both groups was observed. Liver tissue was (investigated) for pathologic changes. ResultsThe peak level of 5-FU concentration in blood from right (hepatic) vein and systemic vein in HAI group was(4082.530415.213)mg/L and (1682.230216.834)mg/L respectively.In PSIHP group, the peak level(5-FU) was(5321.711517.318)mg/L and(510.83452.518)mg/L, respectively.There was a statistically significant difference between HAI group an PSIHP group(P

Objective To study the early prediction of infection in acute pancreatitis in rats by plasma procalcitonin (PCT) and c-reactive (CRP) detection.Methods Eighty SD rats were randomly assigned into acute infected pancreatitis group (I, n=20), pancreatitis control group (C, n=40) and sham-operated group (S, n=20). Blood samples were collected pre- (0h) and post-operatively (12h, 24h and 48h). Plasma CRP was analyzed by ELISA. Plasma and liver PCT was detected by Western blot.Results (1). Ascitic infection occurred in all the group B rats and 16 of 40 rats of group C (analyzed as group C1), and did not occur in the other 20 of 40 rats of group C (analyzed as group C2) and group S. (2). The plasma CRP concentrations elevated gradually after the model setup in group B and C1, which were significantly higher at 48h than those in group C2 and group S. (3). PCT was detected in high levels in plasma and liver tissues in group B and C1 at 48h post-operatively, and they were sighificantly higher than those in group C2 and group S.Conclusions PCT can predict early infection of acute pancreatitis, and detection of PCT combined with plasma CRP may help in the differentiation of acute infected pancreatitis. The liver may be an important organ for synthesis of PCT.

Objective To study the role of nitiric oxide (NO) in the liver ischemic precondition (IP) in rats. Methods 131 rats were randomly assigned to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)group, IP group and sham-operation(S) group. The plasma NO, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), the pathological change of liver and rat mortality were observed at 2 hours, 24 hours and 1 week after operation. Results (1) The plasma NO level grew soon after operation in group IP, and was significantly higher than that in group S in all three time points (P0.05), and higher at 1 week (P