Astragalus mongholicus ameliorates renal fibrosis by modulating HGF and TGF-β in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction

Astragalus mongholicus (AM) derived from the dry root of Astragalus membranaceus Bge. var. mongolicus (Bge.) Hsiao is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine. The present study investigated the potential role of AM on renal fibrosis on a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). We divided 48 Sprague-Dawley rats randomly into 4 groups: sham-operated group (Sham), untreated UUO group, AM-treated (10 g/(kg·d)) UUO group, and losartan-treated (20 mg/(kg·d)) UUO group as positive control. Haematoxylin & eosin (HE) and Masson staining were used to study the dynamic histological changes of the kidneys 7 and 14 d after operation. The expressions of fibronectin (FN), type I collagen (colI), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunohistochemistry staining, and Western blot. Results show that, similar to losartan, AM alleviated the renal damage and decreased the deposition of FN and colI from UUO by reducing the expressions of TGF-β1 and α-SMA (P<0.05), whereas HGF increased greatly with AM treatment (P<0.05). Our findings reveal that AM could retard the progression of renal fibrosis. The renoprotective effect of AM might be related to inhibition of myofibroblast activation, inducing of HGF and reducing of TGF-β1 expression.     

Losartan reduced connexin43 expression in left ventricular myocardium of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Objective： To assess the effect of angiotensin II type 1 （AT1） receptor antagonist losartan on myocardium connexin43 （Cx43） gap junction （GJ） expression in spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHRs） and investigate possible mechanisms. Methods： Sixteen 9-week-old male SHRs and 8 age-matched male Wistar-Kyoto （WKY） rats were included in this study. SHRs were randomly divided into two groups to receive losartan at 30 mg/（kg·d） by oral gavage once daily for 8 weeks （SHR-L） or vehicle （0.9% saline） to act as controls （SHR-V）; WKY rats receiving vehicle for 8 weeks served as normotensive controls. At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and the hearts were removed. Expressions of Cx43 and nuclear factor-kappaB p65 （NF-κB p65） proteins in all three groups were observed and further investigations on the effect of angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan （30 mg/（kg·d）, 8 weeks） on Cx43 expression were conducted with Western blot and immunohistochemistry. NF-κB p65 protein in nuclear extracts was determined by Western blot. Results： Left ventricular （LV） hypertrophy was prominent in SHRs, Cx43 and NF-κB p65 protein expressions were obviously upregulated and Cx43 distribution was dispersed over the cell surface. Treatment with losarton reduced the over-expressions of Cx43 and NF-κB p65 in LV myocardium. The distribution of Cx43 gap junction also became much regular and confined to intercalated disk after losartan treatment. Conclusion： Cx43 level was upregulated in LV myocardium of SHR during early stage of hypertrophy. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan prevented Cx43 gap junction remodeling in hypertrophied left ventricles, possibly through the NF-κB pathway.     

Effect of tramadol on immune responses and nociceptive thresholds in a rat model of incisional pain

Objective： To evaluate the effects oftramadol on the proinflammatory responses in a rat model of incisional pain by investigating its effects on nociceptive thresholds and serum interleukin-6 （IL-6） and IL-2 levels. Methods： Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats scheduled for plantar incision were randomly divided into 7 groups 01=6 in each group）. Rats in Group 1 receiving general anesthesia with no incision were served as control; At 30 min before skin incision, Groups 2-5 were given 5 ml normal saline or 1, 10, and 20 mg/kg tramadol, respectively, intraperitoneally （i.p.）; Group 6 received 10 mg/kg tramadol after operation; Group 7 received 10 mg/kg tramadol before incision, followed by 200 μg/kg naloxone after operation. Mechanical allodynia was measured by electronic yon Frey filament to evaluate the nociceptive thresholds 1 h before incision, and 1 h and 2 h after operation. Serum IL-6 and IL-2 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） 2 h after operation. Results： Mechanical thresholds decreased significantly and serum IL-6 level increased significantly after operation in Group 2 compared with control （P〈0.01）, and these changes were reversed respectively by tramadol in a dose-dependent manner （P〈0.05 and P〈0.01, respectively）. IL-2 level remained unchanged after operation in Group 2, but decreased in Group 3 （P〈0.05）, then gradually returned to the normal level in Groups 4 and 5. The intraperitoneally injected tramadol （10 and 20 mg/kg） produced a potent and dose-dependent antinocicptive effect on the lesioned paw. The antinocicptive effects of tramadol were partially an- tagonized by naloxone （200 μg/kg）, suggesting an additional non-opioid mechanism. Conclusion： The results suggest that tramadol could be a good choice for the treatment of pain under the conditions that immunosuppression may be particularly contraindicated.     

Effects of fish protein hydrolysate on growth performance and humoral immune response in large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea R.)

We investigated the effects of fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) on growth performance and humoral immune response of the large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea R.). One thousand and two hundred large yellow croakers [initial average weight: (162.75±23.85) g] were divided into four groups and reared in floating sea cages (3 m×3 m×3 m). The animals were fed with 4 diets: basal diet only (control) or diets supplemented with 5%, 10% and 15% (w/w) FPH. The results show that dietary FPH levels significantly influenced the growth and immunity of the large yellow croaker. Compared with the control group, total weight gain (TWG) in all treatment groups, relative weight gain (RWG) and specific growth rate (SGR) in fish fed with diets supplemented with 10% and 15% FPH were significantly increased (P<0.05). Similar results were observed in immune parameters [lysozyme activity, serum complements, immunoglobulin M (IgM)]. Lysozyme activity, complement C4 and IgM were also significantly increased (P<0.05) in fish fed with diets supplemented with 10% and 15% FPH, while complement C3 level was significantly increased (P<0.05) in all treatment groups. In general, with the supplementation of FPH, particularly at dose of 10%, the growth performance and immunity of the large yellow croaker can be improved effectively.     

Parthenolide inhibits proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells through induction of G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest

Objective: This study is to determine the effect of the natural product parthenolide, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from extracts of the herb Tanacetum parthenium, on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Methods: Rat aortic VSMCs were isolated and cultured in vitro, and treated with different concentrations of parthenolide (10, 20 and 30 μmol/L). [³H]thymidine incorporation was used as an index of cell proliferation. Cell cycle progression and distribution were determined by flow cytometric analysis. Furthermore, the expression of several regulatory proteins relevant to VSMC proliferation including IκBα, cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), p21, and p27 was examined to investigate the potential molecular mechanism. Results: Treatment with parthenolide significantly decreased the [³H]thymidine incorporation into DNA by 30%~56% relative to control values in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). Addition of parthenolide also increased cell population at G₀/G₁ phase by 19.2%~65.7% (P<0.05) and decreased cell population at S phase by 50.7%~84.8% (P<0.05), which is consistent with its stimulatory effects on p21 and p27. In addition, parthenolide also increased IκBα expression and reduced Cox-2 expression in a time-dependent manner. Conclusion: Our results show that parthenolide significantly inhibits the VSMC proliferation by inducing G₀/G₁ cell cycle arrest. IκBα and Cox-2 are likely involved in such inhibitory effect of parthenolide on VSMC proliferation. These findings warrant further investigation on potential therapeutic implications of parthenolide on VSMC proliferation in vivo.     

Optimization of antioxidant activity by response surface methodology in hydrolysates of jellyfish (Rhopilema esculentum) umbrella collagen

To optimize the hydrolysis conditions to prepare hydrolysates of jellyfish umbrella collagen with the highest hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, collagen extracted from jellyfish umbrella was hydrolyzed with trypsin, and response surface methodology (RSM) was applied. The optimum conditions obtained from experiments were pH 7.75, temperature (T) 48.77 °C, and enzyme-to-substrate ratio ([E]/[S]) 3.50%. The analysis of variance in RSM showed that pH and [E]/[S] were important factors that significantly affected the process (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). The hydrolysates of jellyfish umbrella collagen were fractionated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and three fractions (HF-1>3000 Da, 1000 Da<HF-2<3000 Da, and HF-3<1000 Da) were collected. The HF-2 fraction had the highest hydroxyl radical scavenging activity with the highest yield compared with the other two fractions. Furthermore, HF-2 also showed the strongest Cu²⁺-chelating ability and the best tyrosinase-inhibitory activity.     

Influence of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on growth, fatty acid composition and hepatic lipogenesis in large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea R.)

We examined the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on growth, fatty acid composition and enzyme activity of fatty acid oxidation in the liver of large yellow croaker. We divided 1600 fish (average initial weight 150 g) into 4 groups and reared them in 8 cages. Four dietary treatments were formulated to contain 0%, 1%, 2% and 4% (w/w) CLA, respectively. The fish were fed for 10 weeks ad libitum twice daily. We found that the dietary CLA had no effect on growth, biometric parameters and whole body proximate (P>0.05), but showed some significant effects on the fatty acid composition in both muscle and the liver. The activities of lipogenic enzymes were slightly depressed in fish fed with increasing levels of CLA when compared with control (P>0.05). Dietary CLA supplementation had no effects on liver lipid content, but significantly increased the contents of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (P<0.05) and decreased monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content in both muscle and the liver. Dietary CLA inclusion resulted in significant increases of the biologically active cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 isomers in both tissues (P<0.05). The total accumulation of CLA was higher in the liver (3.83%, w/w) than in muscle (3.77%, w/w) when fed with 4% (w/w) CLA. This study demonstrates that large yellow croakers are capable of absorbing and depositing CLA and long-chain n-3 PUFA in the liver and muscle, showing that this species fed with CLA could be an important human food source for these healthful fatty acids.     

Assessment of volumetric bone mineral density of the femoral neck in postmenopausal women with and without vertebral fractures using quantitative multi-slice CT

Objective: To demonstrate the validity and reliability of volumetric quantitative computed tomography (vQCT) with multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for hip bone mineral density (BMD) measurements, and to compare the differences between the two techniques in discriminating postmenopausal women with osteoporosis-related vertebral fractures from those without. Methods: Ninety subjects were enrolled and divided into three groups based on the BMD values of the lumbar spine and/or the femoral neck by DXA. Groups 1 and 2 consisted of postmenopausal women with BMD changes <−2SD, with and without radiographically confirmed vertebral fracture (n=11 and 33, respectively). Group 3 comprised normal controls with BMD changes ≥−1SD (n=46). Post-MSCT (GE, LightSpeed16) scan reconstructed images of the abdominal-pelvic region, 1.25 mm thick per slice, were processed by OsteoCAD software to calculate the following parameters: volumetric BMD values of trabecular bone (TRAB), cortical bone (CORT), and integral bone (INTGL) of the left femoral neck, femoral neck axis length (NAL), and minimum cross-section area (mCSA). DXA BMD measurements of the lumbar spine (AP-SPINE) and the left femoral neck (NECK) also were performed for each subject. Results: The values of all seven parameters were significantly lower in subjects of Groups 1 and 2 than in normal postmenopausal women (P<0.05, respectively). Comparing Groups 1 and 2, 3D-TRAB and 3D-INTGL were significantly lower in postmenopausal women with vertebral fracture(s) [(109.8±9.61) and (243.3±33.0) mg/cm³, respectively] than in those without [(148.9±7.47) and (285.4±17.8) mg/cm³, respectively] (P<0.05, respectively), but no significant differences were evident in AP-SPINE or NECK BMD. Conclusion: the femoral neck-derived volumetric BMD parameters using vQCT appeared better than the DXA-derived ones in discriminating osteoporotic postmenopausal women with vertebral fractures from those without. vQCT might be useful to evaluate the effect of osteoporotic vertebral fracture status on changes in bone mass in the femoral neck.     

Relationships between endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

Objective: To investigate the relationships between endothelial nitric oxide synthases (eNOS) G894T and 27 bp-variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) gene polymorphisms and osteoporosis in the postmenopausal women of Chinese Han nationality. Methods: In the present study, 281 postmenopausal women from Xi’an urban area in West China were recruited, and divided into osteoporosis, osteopenia, and normal groups according to the diagnostic criteria of osteoporosis proposed by World Health Organization (WHO). The bone mineral density (BMD) values of lumbar vertebrae and left hips were determined by QDR-2000 dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Blood samples were tested for plasma biochemical indicators including testosterone, estradiol, calcitonin, osteocalcin, and procollagen type I amino-terminal propeptide by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase by spectrophotometric method, and the content of nitric oxide by Griess method. Genome DNA was extracted from whole blood, and G894T polymorphism of eNOS gene was analyzed by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and 27 bp-VNTR polymorphism of eNOS gene was genotyped by PCR method. Then the relationships between genotypes and biochemical indicators, genotypes and osteoporosis, and haplotypes and osteoporosis were analyzed. Results: The average BMD values of the femoral neck, ward’s triangle and lumbar vertebrae 1~4 (L1~L4) in the subjects with T/T genotype in eNOS G894T locus were significantly higher than those in the subjects with G/T and G/G genotypes (P<0.05). The average BMD of the femoral neck in the subjects with a/a genotype of eNOS 27 bp-VNTR locus was evidently higher than that in the subjects with b/b genotype (P<0.05). The plasma testosterone and osteocalcin concentrations in the subjects of eNOS G894T G/T genotype were evidently higher than those in the subjects of other genotypes (P<0.05); the plasma estradiol concentration in the subjects of eNOS 27 bp-VNTR a/a genotype was obviously higher than that in the subjects of b/b genotype (P<0.01). eNOS G/G homozygous frequencies in osteoporosis women, osteopenia women, and normal women were 85.37%, 76.38%, and 83.87%, respectively (P>0.05). 0% osteoporosis woman, 0.79% osteopenia women, and 3.23% normal women were eNOS a/a homozygous (P<0.05). The frequencies of eNOS 27 bp-VNTR a allele were 5.33% in the osteoporosis group, 10.24% in the osteopenia group, and 16.13% in the normal group (P<0.05, odds ratio (OR)=0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.11~0.77), suggesting that a/a genotype and a allele might have protective effects on osteoporosis. The haplotype analysis showed that G-b was 87.7% (214/244) in the osteoporosis group (P<0.05, OR=2.48, 95% CI=1.18~5.18). G-a was 5.3% (13/244) in the osteoporosis group (P<0.05, OR=0.29, 95% CI=0.11~0.77). G-b was a risk factor for osteoporosis, and G-a a protective factor. Conclusion: eNOS G894T G/T genotype influenced the plasma testosterone and osteocalcin concentrations, and T/T genotype influenced BMD. eNOS 27 bp-VNTR a/a genotype increased plasma estradiol concentration to have a protective effect on osteoporosis.     

Adiponectin levels are associated with the number and activity of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with coronary artery disease

Objective: To study the relationship between plasma adiponectin concentration and the functional activities of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Circulating EPCs were enumerated as AC133⁺/KDR⁺ cells via flow cytometry and identified by co-staining with DiI-acLDL and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated lectin under a fluorescent microscope. The migratory capacity of EPCs was measured by modified Boyden chamber assay. Adhesion capacity was performed to count adherent cells after replating EPCs on six-well culture dishes coated with fibronectin. Results: The number of circulating EPCs (AC133⁺/KDR⁺ cells) decreased significantly in CAD patients, compared with control subjects [(74.2±12.3) vs (83.5±12.9) cells/ml blood, P<0.01]. In addition, the number of EPCs also decreased in CAD patients after ex vivo cultivation [(54.4±8.6) vs (71.9±11.6) EPCs/field, P<0.01]. Both circulating EPCs and differentiated EPCs were positively correlated with plasma adiponectin concentration. The functional activities of EPCs from CAD patients, such as migratory and adherent capacities, were also impaired, compared with control subjects, and positively correlated with plasma adiponectin concentration. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that the impairment of the number and functional activities of EPCs in CAD patients is correlated with their lower plasma adiponectin concentrations.     

Prebiotic oligosaccharides change the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids and the microbial population of mouse bowel

The purpose of this study was to clarify effects of selected oligosaccharides on concentrations of cecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), total large bowel wet weight and wall weight, and cecal microbiota levels in mice. Mice were respectively given gavage of selected fructooligosaccharides (FOS), galactooligosaccharides (GOS), mannanoligosaccharides (MOS), and chitooligosaccharides (COS) [1000 mg/(kg body weight·d)]. Control group was given physiological saline solution. After 14 d treatment, SCFAs and lactate in mice cecum were significantly increased (P<0.05) by intake of oligosaccharides, especially FOS and GOS. Thus, providing these oligosaccharides as ingredients in nutritional formulas may benefit the gastrointestinal tract.     

Enhancive effect of N,N′-dinitrosopiperazine on inducing precancerous lesion on nasal and/or nasopharyngeal epithelia of TgN(p53mt-LMP1)/HT mice

Objective: To investigate the enhancive effect of N,N′-dinitrosopiperazine (DNP) on induced carcinogenesis in nasal and/or nasopharyngeal epithelia among TgN(p53mt-LMP1)/HT transgenic mice to examine the underlying mechanism for the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: TgN(p53mt-LMP1)/HT transgenic mice and the same strain of C₅₇BL/6J wild-type mice both at the age of 5 months were randomly divided into 2 groups in parallel, respectively, i.e., TgN(p53mt-LMP1)/HT cancerous lesion-inducing group (TI), TgN(p53mt-LMP1)/HT control group (TC), C₅₇BL/6J cancerous lesion-inducing group (CI), and C₅₇BL/6J control group (CC). TI and CI mice were treated only with DNP for 16 weeks, twice each week, while TC and CC mice were given the same volume of saline as controls. At the end of treatment, animals were sacrificed to collect epithelial tissue samples from nasal cavity and nasopharynx for pathohistological evaluation by haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and for determination on the expression of TRAF2, c-Jun, and p16 by immunohistochemistry. Results: Atypical hyperplasia was more significant in the samples of TI than in those of TC, CI, and CC, with the rates of lesions being 90%, 10%, 0, and 0 (P<0.01) respectively, though DNP was used alone in a much shortened inducing period at less dosage and without the use of carcinogenic promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate as usual. The expressions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) and c-Jun in these samples were significantly up-regulated in TI (P<0.01), while the expression of p16 was significantly lower in TI than in the other groups (P<0.01). Conclusion: TgN(p53mt-LMP1)/HT mice hold inherited constitutional defect in immune surveillance function, which can be aggravated by environmental carcinogens, such as DNP used even though in a much less strength. The enhanced carcinogenesis-inducing effect of DNP on TgN(p53mt-LMP1)/HT mice should be closely associated with abnormal signaling of activator protein-1 (AP-1) pathway, especially up-regulated expressions of TRAF2 and c-Jun, and down-regulated expression of p16.     

Clinical investigation of surgery for intermittent exotropia

Objective： To investigate the time and postoperative binocular vision of strabismus surgery for children with intermittent exotropia （X（T））. Methods： A retrospective investigation was conducted in 80 child patients with intermittent exotropia. Pre- and postoperative angles of deviation fixating at near （33 cm） and distant targets （6 m） were measured with the prolonged alternate cover testing. The binocular function was assessed with synoptophore. Twenty-one patients took the postoperative synoptophore exercise. Results： （1） A week after surgery, 96.2% of the 80 patients had binocular normotopia, while a year after surgery, 91.3% of the 80 patients had binocular normotopia; （2） Preoperatively, 58 patients had near stereoacuity, while postoperatively, 72 patients achieved near stereoacuity （P〈0.05）; （3） Preoperatively, 64 patients had Grade Ⅰ for the synoptophore evaluation and postoperatively, 76 patients achieved Grade Ⅰ. Meanwhile, 55 patients had Grade Ⅱ preoperatively and 72 achieved Grade Ⅱ postoperatively. For Grade Ⅲ, there were 49 patients preoperatively and 64 patients postoperatively （P〈0.05）; （4） Patients of 5-8 years old had a significantly better recovery rate of binocular vision than those of 9-18 years old （P〈0.05）; （5） Patients taking postoperative synoptophore exercise had a better binocular vision than those taking no exercise （P〈0.05）. Conclusions： （1） Strabismus surgery can help to preserve or restore the binocular vision for intermittent exotropia; （2） Receiving the surgery at young ages may develop better postoperative binocular vision; （3） The postoperative synoptophore exercise can help to restore the binocular vision.     

Protective effects of Salvia miltiorrhizae on the hearts of rats with severe acute pancreatits or obstructive jaundice

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Salvia miltiorrhizae (Danshen) in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP)- or obstructive jaundice (OJ)-induced heart injury. Methods: A total of 288 rats were used for SAP- (n=108) and OJ-associated (n=180) experiments. The rats were randomly divided into sham-operated, model control, and Salvia miltiorrhizae-treated groups. According to the difference of time points after operation, SAP rats in each group were subdivided into 3, 6 and 12 h subgroups (n=12), whereas OJ rats were subdivided into 7, 14, 21, and 28 d subgroups (n=15). At the corresponding time points after operation, the mortality rates of the rats, the contents of endotoxin and phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) in blood, and pathological changes of the hearts were investigated. Results: The numbers of dead SAP and OJ rats in the treated groups declined as compared with those in the model control group, but not significantly (P>0.05). The contents of endotoxin (at 6 and 12 h in SAP rats and on 7, 14, 21, and 28 d in OJ rats, respectively) and PLA₂ (at 6 and 12 h in SAP rats and on 28 d in OJ rats, respectively) in the treated group were significantly lower than those in the model control group (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). Besides, myocardial pathological injuries were mitigated in SAP and OJ rats. Conclusion: In this study, we found that Salvia miltiorrhizae improved myocardial pathological changes, reduced the content of PLA₂ in blood, and decreased the mortality rates of SAP and OJ rats, exerting protective effects on the hearts of the rats.     

Hypertonic saline resuscitation reduces apoptosis of intestinal mucosa in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock

Objective： To investigate the early effects of hypertonic and isotonic saline solutions on apoptosis of intestinal mucosa in rats with hemorrhagic shock. Methods： A model of rat with severe hemorrhagic shock was established in 21 Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats. The rats were randomly divided into the sham group, normal saline resuscitation （NS） group, and hypertonic saline resuscitation （HTS） group, with 7 in each group. We detected and compared the apoptosis in small intestinal mucosa of rats after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling （TUNEL）, FITC （fluorescein-iso-thiocyanate）-Annexin V/PI （propidium iodide） double staining method, and flow cytometry. Results： In the early stage of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation, marked apoptosis of small intestinal mucosa in the rats of both NS and HTS groups was observed. The numbers of apoptotic cells in these two groups were significantly greater than that in the sham group （P〈0.01）. In the HTS group, the apoptic cells significantly decreased, compared with the NS group （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： In this rat model of severe hemorrhagic shock, the HTS resuscitation of small volume is more effective than the NS resuscitation in reducing apoptosis of intestinal mucosa in rats, which may improve the prognosis of trauma.     

Osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells promoted by overexpression of connective tissue growth factor

Objective: Large segmental bone defect repair remains a clinical and scientific challenge with increasing interest focusing on combining gene transfection with tissue engineering techniques. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Methods: A CTGF-expressing plasmid (pCTGF) was constructed and transfected into MSCs. Then expressions of bone morphogenesis-related genes, proliferation rate, alkaline phosphatase activity, and mineralization were examined to evaluate the osteogenic potential of the CTGF gene-modified MSCs. Results: Overexpression of CTGF was confirmed in pCTGF-MSCs. pCTGF transfection significantly enhanced the proliferation rates of pCTGF-MSCs (P<0.05). CTGF induced a 7.5-fold increase in cell migration over control (P<0.05). pCTGF transfection enhanced the expression of bone matrix proteins, such as bone sialoprotein, osteocalcin, and collagen type I in MSCs. The levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities of pCTGF-MSCs at the 1st and 2nd weeks were 4.0- and 3.0-fold higher than those of MSCs cultured in OS-medium, significantly higher than those of mock-MSCs and normal control MSCs (P<0.05). Overexpression of CTGF in MSCs enhanced the capability to form mineralized nodules. Conclusion: Overexpression of CTGF could improve the osteogenic differentiation ability of MSCs, and the CTGF gene-modified MSCs are potential as novel cell resources of bone tissue engineering.     

Osseointegration of hollow porous titanium prostheses loaded with cancellous bone matrix in rabbits

This study aimed to observe the osseointegration of hollow porous titanium prostheses (HPTP) loaded with cancellous bone matrix (CBM) in rabbits using histological and biomechanical perspectives.Experimental samples were implanted into the lateral femoral condyles of 66 New Zealand rabbits,allocated into the following groups:non-porous prosthesis group (Group A,n=22);HPTP group (Group B,n=22);HPTP+CBM group (Group C,n=22).The rabbits were sacrificed at 3,8 and 12 weeks,postoperatively.X-ray analyses,microscopy techniques and morphological measurement software and mechanical tests were used for evaluation.At each time point,the tissues surrounding the implants were similar in all of the groups,with bony in-growth into the 2-mm round holes observed for the defects in Groups B and C.However,the internal bone formation was significantly better in Group C than in Group B at different time points (P<0.01).Biomechanically,the pull-out forces were significantly greater in Groups B and C than in Group A (P<0.01),with no difference between Groups B and C (P>0.05).These results suggest that bone can grow into the cavities of HPTP to achieve more stable locking fixation,and those osteogenic materials,such as CBM,can enhance osteogenesis to achieve better osseointegration between the implant and the host bone.     

Advanced primary peritoneal carcinoma: clinicopathological and prognostic factor analyses

Objective： To investigate the factors favoring a positive prognosis for advanced primary peritoneal carcinoma （PPC）. Methods： Twenty-four cases meeting the criteria for PPC were analyzed retrospectively for the clinicopathologic profiles. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expressions of p53, Top2α, Ki-67 and Her-2/neu. Then all these clinicopathological factors and molecular markers were correlated with the prognosis. Results： There were 15 cases of primary peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma （PPSPC）, 6 cases of mixed epithelial carcinoma （MEC） and 3 cases of malignant mixed Mullerian tumor （MMMT）. All patients underwent cytoreductive surgery with optimal debulking achieved in 3 cases. Among those receiving first-line chemotherapy, 13 patients received the TP regimen （paclitaxel-cisplatin or carboplatin） and 7 patients received the PAC regimen （cisplatin-doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide）. The median overall survival of all patients was 42 months, while the breakdown for survival time for patients with PPSPC, MMT and MEC was 44, 13 and 19 months, respectively. The expressions of p53, Top2α and Ki-67 were all demonstrated in 11 cases respectively. None showed the expression of Her-2/neu. There were significant differences in the median survival between patients with PPSPC and those with MMMT （44 months vs 13 months, P〈0.05）, also between patients receiving TP combination and those receiving the PAC regimen （75 months vs 28 months, P〈0.05）. Another significant difference in the median progression-free survival （PFS） was identified between patients with positive p53 immunostaining and those with negative p53 immunostaining （15 months vs 47 months, P〈0.05）, whereas age, menopausal status, residual tumor size and the other molecular factors did not significantly impact survival. Conclusion： Patients with PPC should be treated with a comprehensive management plan including appropriate cytoreductive surgery and responsive chemotherapy. Overestimating an o     

Adenovirus-mediated wild-type p53 gene transfer in combination with bronchial arterial infusion for treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer, one year follow-up

Objective: In the present study, we have examined the safety and efficacy of recombinant adenovirus encoding human p53 tumor suppressor gene (rAd-p53) injection in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the combination with the therapy of bronchial arterial infusion (BAI). Methods: A total of 58 patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled in a non-randomized, two-armed clinical trial. Of which, 19 received a combination treatment of BAI and rAd-p53 (the combo group), while the remaining 39 were treated with only BAI (the control group). Patients were followed up for 12 months, with safety and local response evaluated by the National Cancer Institute’s Common Toxicity Criteria and response evaluation criteria in solid tumor (RECIST), respectively. Time to progression (TTP) and survival rates were also analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method. Results: In the combo group, 19 patients received a total of 49 injections of rAd-p53 and 46 times of BAI, respectively, while 39 patients in the control group received a total of 113 times of BAI. The combination treatment was found to have less adverse events such as anorexia, nausea and emesis, pain, and leucopenia (P<0.05) but more arthralgia, fever, influenza-like symptom, and myalgia (P<0.05), compared with the control group. The overall response rates (complete response (CR)+partial response (PR)) were 47.3% and 38.4% for the combo group and the control group, respectively (P>0.05). Patients in the combo group had a longer TTP than those in the control group (a median 7.75 vs 5.5 months, P=0.018). However, the combination treatment did not lead to better survival, with survival rates at 3, 6, and 12 months in the combo group being 94.74%, 89.47%, and 52.63%, respectively, compared with 92.31%, 69.23%, and 38.83% in the control group (P=0.224). Conclusion: Our results show that the combination of rAd-p53 and BAI was well tolerated in patients with NSCLC and may have improved the quality of life and delayed the disease progression. A further study to better determine the efficacy of this combination therapy is warranted.     

Effects of intermittent negative pressure on osteogenesis in human bone marrow-derived stroma cells

Objective: We investigated the effects of intermittent negative pressure on osteogenesis in human bone marrow-derived stroma cells (BMSCs) in vitro. Methods: BMSCs were isolated from adult marrow donated by a hip osteoarthritis patient with prosthetic replacement and cultured in vitro. The third passage cells were divided into negative pressure treatment group and control group. The treatment group was induced by negative pressure intermittently (pressure: 50 kPa, 30 min/times, and twice daily). The control was cultured in conventional condition. The osteogenesis of BMSCs was examined by phase-contrast microscopy, the determination of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, and the immunohistochemistry of collagen type I. The mRNA expressions of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and osteoprotegerin ligand (OPGL) in BMSCs were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: BMSCs showed a typical appearance of osteoblast after 2 weeks of induction by intermittent negative pressure, the activity of ALP increased significantly, and the expression of collagen type I was positive. In the treatment group, the mRNA expression of OPG increased significantly (P<0.05) and the mRNA expression of OPGL decreased significantly (P<0.05) after 2 weeks, compared with the control. Conclusion: Intermittent negative pressure could promote osteogenesis in human BMSCs in vitro.