人肝癌细胞与肝星形细胞裸鼠皮下共培养体系的建立

目的:建立裸鼠皮下共培养人肝癌细胞与肝星形细胞模型,观察人肝癌细胞与肝星形细胞间相互作用后超微结构的改变.方法:将16只裸鼠分为两组,肝癌细胞单独培养组和癌细胞与肝星形细胞共培养组,40天后将荷瘤组织切片行光镜及透射电镜观察.结果:肝癌细胞单独培养组中可观察到肝癌细胞的胞质液化及早期细胞凋亡现象,而共培养组中可见肝星形细胞时肝癌细胞的趋化现象,可观察到肝癌细胞结构完整且有增殖趋势.结论:裸鼠皮下荷瘤三维立体模型建立成功,该模型能够模拟肝癌微环境中肝癌细胞与肝星形细胞问的作用,为进一步研究肝癌细胞与肝星形细胞间的相互作用奠定了基础.     

Sonic hedgehog在二乙基亚硝胺诱发大鼠肝癌发生过程中的表达及意义

观察肝脏组织中Sonic hedgehog(Shh)的表达情况,探讨其在肝癌发生发展过程中的作用.用二乙基亚硝胺(diethylnitrosamine,DEN)制备诱发型肝癌模型,利用光镜技术观察诱癌过程中肝组织的形态学改变,采用免疫组织化学二步法和RT-PCR技术检测Shh蛋白和mRNA的表达.根据形态学观察将诱癌过程分为正常对照组、肝损伤组、肝增生-硬化组和肝癌变组.Shh蛋白阳性表达的细胞主要分布在小叶间胆管上皮、肝细胞增生结节、癌周组织和癌结节中,在对照组、肝损伤期、肝增生-硬化期和肝癌变期的阳性表达率分别是6.67%、30.00%、52.94%和78.57%(χ2=17.49,P<0.05).Shh mRNA表达率随着肝癌的发生发展有逐渐增高的趋势(χ2=13.35,P<0.05),对Shh mRNA表达阳性的电泳条带进行图像分析结果显示Shh mRNA表达量随着肝癌的发生发展逐渐增高(F=110.26,P<0.05).Ptch mRNA表达率随着肝癌的发生发展有逐渐增高的趋势(χ2=19.83,P<0.05),对Ptch mRNA表达阳性的电泳条带进行图像分析结果显示Ptch mRNA表达量随着肝癌的发生发展逐渐增高(F=68.28,P<0.05).实验结果提示,Shh在肝癌发生发展过程中出现了异常活动,导致Shh信号通路激活并作用于肝的细胞,参与了诱导肝癌的发生发展.     

纤粘连蛋白在实验性牙周炎鼠牙龈组织中的表达

目的:观察分析大鼠实验性牙周炎牙龈组织中纤粘连蛋白(fibronectin,FN)的表达及意义。方法:26只8周龄雄性Wistar大鼠,随机分为局部丝线结扎高糖软食4周和8周两组,每组实验动物10只,空白对照组3只。运用免疫组化方法,观察分析FN在健康牙龈组织中、牙周炎牙龈组织中的表达及意义。结果:健康牙龈组织中,FN相对均匀弥漫表达于整个牙龈结缔组织基质内;牙周炎牙龈组织中,FN表达具有部位特异性,即上皮下结缔组织最上部基质内FN表达明显下调;结合上皮根端基底细胞基底面下FN表达明显上调,表达强度和范围随结合上皮根向增生程度的增加而增强。结论:炎性刺激下调炎症中心区牙龈结缔组织基质内FN表达;炎症刺激上调结合上皮根端基底细胞基底面下FN表达,其表达强度和范围随结合上皮根向增生程度的增加而增强扩大,暗示FN参与牙龈结合上皮根向增生迁移活动。     

β-连环素和上皮钙粘连素在肝细胞癌中的表达及其意义

目的探讨人肝癌组织中β-连环素(-βcatenin)和上皮钙黏连素(E-cadherin)的表达情况及其与肝癌转移的相关性。方法应用免疫组织化学、原位分子杂交和细胞图像分析技术对30例原发性肝细胞癌及其癌旁肝组织中-βcate-nin和E-cadherin的表达情况进行观察,并分析了两者的表达与门静脉有无癌栓之间的相关性。结果在癌旁肝组织中,β-catenin和E-cadherin蛋白主要在细胞膜表达,胞浆表达较少;而在肝癌组织中,两者的表达特征发生改变,胞膜表达明显减少或缺失,-βcatenin的胞浆表达增强,甚至可见核表达,而E-cadherin在癌细胞胞浆内也明显减少或缺失。-βcatenin在有门静脉癌栓组的表达强度(平均光密度)高于无门静脉癌栓组(P<0.05),而E-cadherin则相反。结论-βcatenin在肝癌组织中的异位表达、过表达及E-cadherin的表达下降在肝癌转移过程中可能起重要作用。     

肝病患者肝细胞内HBV DNA原位杂交研究——形态、分布及意义

应用生物素标记HBV DNA(乙肝病毒脱氧核糖核酸)作探针,对129例肝病患者肝组织作原位杂交研究。发现HBV DNA主要存在肝细胞浆内,可分为胞浆致密型、疏松型和包涵体型。HBV DNA阳性肝细胞在肝实质中分为三种型:小叶型、局灶型与散在点状分布。HBV DNA在慢性活动型肝炎中检出率最高(81％),显著高于肝硬化,慢性小叶型肝炎、急性肝炎及原发性肝癌组。乙肝复制指标阳性患者肝细胞内HBV DNA检出率明显高于非复制组;并观察到HBV DNA阳性肝细胞与肝细胞坏死灶关系密切,多数紧紧毗邻肝细胞坏死灶/或和位于坏死灶中间,尤以局灶型分布的HBV DNA阳性肝细胞为显著。     

大鼠IgA肾病模型的建立及血清中IL-6、FN、NO的检测

目的建立大鼠IgA肾病（IgAN）模型,测定大鼠血清中的白介素-6（IL-6）、纤维结合蛋白（FN）、一氧化氮（NO）,探讨这些指标水平的变化与IgAN免疫损伤的相关性,为临床治疗提供动物实验研究依据。方法24只大鼠被随机分成3组,每组8只。模型组和治疗组用免疫复合物法复制;正常对照组用生理盐水。10周后,治疗组大鼠被给予雷公藤多甙片3周。留取所有大鼠血清测定IL-6、FN、NO;留取所有大鼠尿液测定红细胞（RBC）、总蛋白量（TPR）;留取所有大鼠肾组织作病理学检查。结果模型组中大鼠尿液中RBC、TPR含量较治疗组及正常对照组显著增高（P〈0．01）;血清中的IL-6、FN的水平较治疗组及正常对照组显著增高（P〈0．01）;血清中的NO水平较治疗组及正常对照组显著降低（P〈0．01）。治疗组的大鼠肾组织病理损伤程度较模型组明显减轻（P〈0．01）。结论血清中的IL-6、FN及NO的水平与RBC数、TPR及肾组织病理损伤程度相关,它们可作为观察IgAN治疗效果的重要指标,也可作为IgAN严重性的预测指标。下调血中的IL-6、FN及上调NO的水平,可减少IgA与FN免疫复合物的形成,从而改善肾组织的免疫损伤。     

肝靶向动物模型研究与展望

肝癌动物模型是抗肝癌药物实验及肝靶向给药系统验证的重要方法和手段。本文对用于研究肝靶向制剂的动物模型的种类、特征、不足及应用进行了研究论述,提出了目前较适于应用的模型,应用肝癌动物模型可以提供与肝癌病人相似的肝癌生物学特性,也为肝靶向给药制剂药代动力学指标的可靠性提供了保障。     

眼镜蛇毒注射液长期毒性实验研究

本文介绍眼镜蛇毒注射液经大动物（狗）的长期毒性试验,各给药组与正常对照组及用药前自身比较,经方差分析,各动物体重均无统计学显著性差异;对大动物血常规的影响,无统计学显著性差异;对大动物肝、肾功能的影响,亦无统计学显著性差异;对动物器官组织结构与细胞形态光镜下观察,未见有明显的病理改变,良好率均为１００％     

五加生化胶囊对药物流产出血模型大鼠的影响及机制研究

目的:观察五加生化胶囊对药物(米非司酮配伍米索前列醇)致流产出血大鼠模型的保护作用,并探讨其作用机制。方法:建立大鼠药物流产出血模型,分为正常组(K)、受孕对照组(KY)、模型组(M)和给药(G)组,观测大鼠子宫出血时间、出血量、子宫指数、子宫形态和血液流变学改变,采用放射免疫法、ELISA法、免疫组织化学法和IPP6.0图像分析系统对比观察了大鼠血清雌二醇(E2)、血浆层粘连蛋白(LM)和纤维连接蛋白(FN)含量变化,以及子宫组织中FN、LM和雌、孕激素受体(ER、PR)表达的变化。结果:与M组比较,G组药物流产出血大鼠子宫血量由0.40±0.15**mL减少到0.22±0.16#m L,出血时间由124.4±22.0**h减少到71.3±10.4##h,血清E2含量在第14天由22.47±6.37pg/mL到39.57±5.19##pg/mL,子宫ERα表达OD值由0.036±0.025**升高到0.208±0.072##和PR的表达OD值由0.043±0.023*升高到0.095±0.035#,血浆和子宫组织LM和FN水平降低,血液流变性得以改善。结论:五加生化胶囊具有减少药物流产出血大鼠子宫出血量和出血时间的作用,其作用机制主要为降低了血浆和子宫组织FN的含量,起到使残留的蜕膜组织顺利排出的目的,减少了残留蜕膜对子宫的刺激;提高血清中E2含量和子宫组织中ERα和PR的表达,同时改善了血液流变性,使受损子宫组织局部血液循环得到改善加速了受损子宫的恢复速度。     

人5～6月胎儿眼球壁组织中纤维粘连蛋白的免疫细胞化学

本文对4例(8眼)5～6月人胎儿眼球壁组织中纤维粘连蛋白(fibronectin,FN)进行了光镜和电镜免疫细胞化学定位观察。结果显示:Descemet膜及虹膜、瞳孔膜、脉络膜和视网膜的血管壁为FN强阳性反应;小梁组织和Schlemm管为FN阴性反应。视网膜血管电镜免疫细胞化学显示:FN阳性反应产物主要分布于血管周细胞的外侧,而与内皮细胞相邻的内侧很少,提示:血管的周细胞可能是FN合成和分泌的主要细胞。     

Altered transferrin gene expression in preneoplastic and neoplastic liver lesions induced in rats with N-nitrosomorpholine

The expression of the gene for the iron transport protein transferrin was found to be altered in preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions induced in the rat liver by N-nitrosomorpholine. The total RNA of ten hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) was investigated by Northern blot analysis using a cDNA-probe comprising 150 bp of the 3′ region and compared with the total hepatic RNA in untreated rats. Seven hepatocellular carcinomas showed slight or pronounced reduction in transferrin expression. In situ hybridization of two additional hepatocellular carcinomas revealed marked reduction in the mRNA level for the transferrin gene compared with the surrounding tissue. In contrast, the majority of early preneoplastic lesions storing excess glycogen and tigroid cell foci expressed increased levels of transferrin mRNA. The loss of glycogen in mixed cell foci, which represent a later stage of hepatocarcinogenesis, was usually accompanied by a decrease in transferrin mRNA suggesting a close relationship between this change in gene expression and cellular dedifferentiation emerging during hepatocarcinogenesis.     

Altered transferrin gene expression in preneoplastic and neoplastic liver lesions induced in rats with N-nitrosomorpholine.

The expression of the gene for the iron transport protein transferrin was found to be altered in preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions induced in the rat liver by N-nitrosomorpholine. The total RNA of ten hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) was investigated by Northern blot analysis using a cDNA-probe comprising 150 bp of the 3' region and compared with the total hepatic RNA in untreated rats. Seven hepatocellular carcinomas showed slight or pronounced reduction in transferrin expression. In situ hybridization of two additional hepatocellular carcinomas revealed marked reduction in the mRNA level for the transferrin gene compared with the surrounding tissue. In contrast, the majority of early preneoplastic lesions storing excess glycogen and tigroid cell foci expressed increased levels of transferrin mRNA. The loss of glycogen in mixed cell foci, which represent a later stage of hepatocarcinogenesis, was usually accompanied by a decrease in transferrin mRNA suggesting a close relationship between this change in gene expression and cellular dedifferentiation emerging during hepatocarcinogenesis.     

Altered expression of fibronectin gene in cells infected with human cytomegalovirus.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) induces morphological changes in infected cells that are remarkably similar to those seen in oncogenically transformed cells. The molecular bases of these phenotypic alterations are not known but their occurrence in some transformed cells can be associated with abnormal fibronectin (FN) expression. In this report, we have compared FN levels in normal and HCMV-infected cells. In these studies, the HCMV-infected fibroblasts exhibited a progressive loss of cellular FN. Northern (RNA) blot analysis revealed that the decrease in FN levels resulted from a lowering of FN mRNA levels in HCMV-infected cells. We detected an initial decrease in FN mRNA of 25 to 30% at immediate-early and early times, whereas at late times after infection the levels of FN mRNA were lowered by greater than 80%. These results indicated that the HCMV-induced decrease in FN expression is due to a decrease in the quantity of FN mRNA and suggested that HCMV-encoded and/or -induced functions may be involved in producing these alterations.     

Biochemical microanalysis of alpha-glucosidase activity in preneoplastic and neoplastic hepatic lesions induced in rats by N-nitrosomorpholine

Preneoplastic and neoplastic hepatic lesions were induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by oral administration of N-nitrosomorpholine (NNM) for 7 weeks at a concentration of 200 mg/l of drinking-water (stop model). Using a laser dissection technique and biochemical microanalysis, the activity of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-glucosidase was measured in glycogen storage foci emerging early, and in mixed or basophilic cell populations (foci and carcinomas) appearing later during hepatocarcinogenesis. In the liver tissue of normal appearance in both untreated controls and NNM-treated animals a slight gradient of alpha-glucosidase activity was observed leading from relatively high activities in zone 1 to lower activities in zone 3 of the liver lobule. In preneoplastic glycogen storage foci a considerable relative reduction in alpha-glucosidase activity was detected, suggesting that a decrease in the hydrolytic glycogen degradation contributes to the disturbance in phosphorylytic glycogen breakdown observed earlier in the majority of the glycogenotic foci. In contrast with glycogen storage foci, mixed and basophilic cell foci and particularly hepatocellular carcinomas showed a marked increase in alpha-glucosidase activity compared with that of normal liver tissue. The gradual enhancement in enzyme activity appeared to be closely related to the reduction in glycogen initially stored in excess during the later stages of hepatocarcinogenesis. The results support the concept that a fundamental shift in carbohydrate metabolism is characteristic of neoplastic transformation of hepatocytes.     

The chemopreventive effect of Ginkgo biloba and Silybum marianum extracts on hepatocarcinogenesis in rats

Background/objective

This study was designed to evaluate the potential chemopreventive activities of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) and Silybum marianum extract (silymarin) against hepatocarcinogenesis induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in rats.

Methods

Rats were divided into 6 groups. Group 1 served as normal control rats. Group 2 animals were intragastrically administrated NDEA at a dose of 10 mg/kg five times a week for 12 weeks to induce hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Groups 3 and 4 animals were pretreated with silymarin and EGb respectively. Groups 5 and 6 animals were posttreated with silymarin and EGb respectively. The investigated parameters in serum are alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The investigated parameters in liver tissue are malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and comet assay parameters.

Results

In NDEA group, MDA level was elevated with subsequent decrease in GSH level and SOD, GPx and GR activities. In addition, NDEA group revealed a significant increase in serum ALT, AST and GGT activities and VEGF level. Furthermore, NDEA administrated animals showed a marked increase in comet assay parameters. These biochemical alterations induced by NDEA were confirmed by the histopathological examination of rat livers intoxicated with NDEA that showed an obvious cellular damage and well differentiated HCC. In contrast, silymarin+NDEA treated groups (3&;5) and EGb+NDEA treated groups (4&;6) showed a significant decrease in MDA level and a significant increase in GSH content and SOD, GPx and GR activities compared to NDEA group. Silymarin and EGb also beneficially down-regulated the increase in serum ALT, AST, GGT activities and VEGF level induced by NDEA. In addition, silymarin and EGb significantly decreased comet assay parameters. Histopathological examination of rat livers treated with either silymarin or EGb exhibited an improvement in the liver architecture compared to NDEA group.

Conclusions

The obtained findings suggested that silymarin and EGb may have beneficial chemopreventive roles against hepatocarcinogenesis through their antioxidant, antiangiogenic and antigenotoxic activities.     

Morphological and biochemical examination of Cosmos 1887 rat heart tissue: Part I--Ultrastructure

Morphological changes were observed in the left ventricle of rat heart tissue from animals flown on the Cosmos 1887 biosatellite for 12.5 days. These tissues were compared to the synchronous and vivarium control hearts. While many normal myofibrils were observed, others exhibited ultrastructural alterations, i.e., damaged and irregular-shaped mitochondria and generalized myofibrillar edema. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the volume density data revealed a statistically significant increase in glycogen and a significant decrease in mitochondria compared to the synchronous and vivarium controls. Point counting indicated an increase in lipid and myeloid bodies and a decrease in microtubules, but these changes were not statistically significant. In addition, the flight animals exhibited some patchy loss of protofibrils (actin and myosin filaments) and some abnormal supercontracted myofibrils that were not seen in the controls. This study was undertaken to gain insight into the mechanistic aspects of cardiac changes in both animals and human beings as a consequence of space travel (1). Cardiac hypotrophy and fluid shifts have been observed after actual or simulated weightlessness and raise concerns about the functioning of the heart and circulatory system during and after travel in space (2-4).     

Effect of Solanum trilobatum on the antioxidant status during diethyl nitrosamine induced and phenobarbital promoted hepatocarcinogenesis in rat

AIM: The methanolic extract of Solanum trilobatum (ST) is cytotoxic and exerts an inhibitory effect on tumor growth and in the present study, its role on the antioxidant status of N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced and phenobarbital (PB) promoted hepatocarcinogenesis was assessed. METHODS: The protective role of ST on DEN induced and PB promoted hepatocarcinogenesis in Wistar rats was assessed from total nodular incidence, nodule multiplicity and volume of persistent nodules after an experimental period of 3 and 6 months following co-administration. The levels of thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione (GSH) and activities of antioxidant enzymes were assessed in the haemolysate and liver of experimental animals to evaluate the antioxidant status. RESULTS: In DEN+PB+ST animals, the nodular incidence, multiplicity and volume reduced significantly compared to DEN+PB treated animals. In DEN+PB animals, the levels of TBARS increased significantly, whereas the levels of GSH and the activities of antioxidant enzymes-superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase showed significant alterations compared to control both in the haemolysate and liver. However, in DEN+PB+ST animals, the levels of TBARS decreased significantly and the levels of GSH increased with favorable alterations in the activities of antioxidant enzymes in both the haemolysate and liver. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that ST exerts its chemopreventive effects by modulating the antioxidant status during DEN induced hepatocarcinogenesis.     

Hepatocellular kinetics and the expression of growth hormone (GH) in the livers and liver tumours of GH-transgenic mice

Although it is well known that transgenic mice that overexpress growth hormone (GH) frequently develop liver tumours, the precise nature of the relationship between the overexpression of GH and hepatocarcinogenesis is not clear. The current study was designed to investigate the relationship between the expression of the GH transgene and changes in hepatocyte morphology and kinetics, prior to and during hepatocarcinogenesis in GH-transgenic mice. In young mice (1-month-old) prior to tumour development, GH protein, as detected by immunohistochemistry, was observed in the cytoplasm of essentially all hepatocytes. In liver tissues of older animals, apoptotic cells and hypertrophic hepatocytes did not express immunoreactive GH, even though GH was expressed strongly in the smaller hepatocytes. A relatively high proportion of large dysplastic hepatocytes (>50 microm) were apoptotic (TUNEL positive), whereas smaller hepatocytes featured more prominently in the proliferative phase, as measured by BrdU incorporation. GH expression in tumour tissue, as detected by immunohistochemistry, was often variable and generally decreased with tumour development. Northern blot analysis showed that equivalent levels of GH mRNA were present in tumour tissue and adjacent liver. However, there was no clear trend when the levels of GH mRNA extracted from adenoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma, were compared. These observations help clarify some of the mechanisms by which GH promotes hepatocarcinogenesis in GH-transgenic mice.     

miRNA-1 regulates endothelin-1 in diabetes

Aims

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in several biological processes. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-1, an endothelin-1 (ET-1) targeting miRNA, in endothelial cells (ECs) and tissues of diabetic animals. ET-1 is known to be of pathogenetic significance in several chronic diabetic complications.

Main methods

PCR array was used to identify alterations of miRNA expression in ECs exposed to glucose. miR-1 expression was validated by TaqMan real-time PCR assay. Human retinal ECs (HRECs) and human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) exposed to various glucose levels with or without miR-1 mimic transfection, and tissues from streptozotocin-induced diabetic animals after two months of follow-up, were examined for miR-1 expression, as well as ET-1 and fibronectin (FN) mRNA and protein levels.

Key findings

Array analyses showed glucose-induced alterations of 125 miRNAs (out of 381) in ECs exposed to 25 mM glucose compared to 5 mM glucose. Fifty-one miRNAs were upregulated and 74 were downregulated. 25 mM glucose decreased miR-1 expression and increased ET-1 mRNA and protein levels. miR-1 mimic transfection prevented HG-induced ET-1 upregulation. Furthermore, glucose induced upregulation of FN, which is mediated partly by ET-1, was also prevented by such transfection.Diabetic animals showed decreased miR-1 expression in the retina, heart and kidneys. In parallel, ET-1 mRNA expressions were increased in these tissues of diabetic animals, in association with upregulation of FN.

Significance

These results indicate a novel glucose-induced mechanism of tissue damage, in which miR-1 regulates ET-1 expressions in diabetes. Identifying such mechanisms may lead to RNA based treatment for diabetic complications.