Involvement of ghrelin-growth hormone secretagogue receptor system in pathoclinical profiles of digestive system cancer

Ghrelin receptor has been shown to be expressed along the human gastrointestinal tract. Recent studies showed that ghrelin and a synthetic ghrelin receptor agonist improved weight gain and lean body mass retention in a rat model of cancer cachexia by acting on ghrelin receptor, that is, growth hormone secretagogue receptor （GHS-R）. This study aims to explore the expression and the distribution of ghrelin receptor in human gastrointestinal tract cancers and to investigate the possible involvement of the ghrelin- GHS-R system in human digestive cancers. Surgical human digestive cancer specimens were obtained from various portions of the gastrointestinal tract from different patients. The expression of ghrelin receptor in these tissues was detected by tissue microarray technique. Our results showed that ghrelin receptor was expressed in cancers throughout the gastrointestinal tract, mainly in the cytoplasm of mucosal layer cells. Its expression level possibly correlated with organ type, histological grade, tumor-nodes-metastases stage, and nutrition status （weight loss） of the patients. For the first time, we identified the distribution of ghrelin receptor in digestive system cancers. Our results implied that the ghrelin-GHS-R system might be involved in the pathoclinical profiles of digestive cancers.     

Altitudinal Variation in Digestive Tract Length in Yunnan Pond Frog （Pelophylax pleuraden）

The digestive tract plays an important role in digestion and the acquisition of food energy. Understanding the impact of abiotic environments on digestive tract morphology is especially important for evolution of digestive tract across different environments. Here, we investigated altitudinal variation in digestive tract length in the Yunnan Pond Frog （Pelophylaxpleuraden） across five populations ranging from 1413 m to 1935 m a.s.1, in Ningnan County, Sichuan province in western China. Frogs were collected during the breeding season, from 1-5 June 2012. Our results revealed that females had longer digestive tract and relative digestive tract （i.e. digestive tract length / body size） lengths in com- parison to males, on average, but the differences between them decreased with increasing altitude. Digestive tract and relative digestive tract lengths increased with increasing altitude suggesting that a higher proportion of indigestible ma- terials may be consumed at high-altitude sites and result in a relative increase in digestive tract dimensions.     

Localization and Dynamic Change of Saponin in Vegetative Organs of Polygala tenuifolia

Anatomical, histochemical and phytochemical methods were used to investigate the structure, localization and dynamic changes of total saponin and senegenin of vegetative organs in Polygala tenuifolia Willd. Histochemical localization results showed that saponin accumulated mainly in parenchyma cells of vegetative organs. The phytochemical results also showed that the saponin accumulated in the vegetative organs of P. tenuifolia, with higher content in roots and lower content in the aerial parts that included stems and leaves. The saponin content and dry weight of the vegetative organs of P. tenuifolia had dynamic variance at the developmental stages and all reached the highest level in the post-fruit period. Hence, the roots and aerial parts should be gathered in August to make full use of the plant. As the root is the main medicinal organ of P. tenuifolia, the content of total saponin and senegenin of different aged and different parts of the root were determined. The content of total saponin and senegenin exhibited a sustained decreasing trend with increasing root age; therefore, the annual roots had high quality. The content of total saponin and senegenin in different parts of the root showed obvious variation. The content in the ＂skin areas＂ was much higher than that of xylem. The results offer a theoretical basis for determining the appropriate harvesting stage and a reasonable harvest of P. tenuifolia.     

β-EP和胃泌素在大鼠舌下腺的免疫组织化学定位

In order to study the distribution of β-EP and gastrin immunoreactive cells in the sublingual gland, we used the Advidin Biptin-Peroxidase Complex (ABC) immunohistochemical technique to detect the expression of β-EP and gastrin in rat sublingual glands. The results show that the epithelial cells of striated ducts and interlobular ducts appeared β-EP and gastrin positive in immunoreaction and the mucosus and serous acinar cells were immunoreactive negative. The poei-tive substances were distributed in the cytoplasm with negative nuclei. These results suggest that β-EP and gastrin are ex-pressed in the epithelial cells of ducts in the rat sublingual gland, which may play an important role in the secretion and functional regulation of the sublingual gland.     

Characterization of the most abundant Lactobacillus species in chicken gastrointestinal tract and potential use as probiotics for genetic engineering

The count and diffusion of Lactobacilli species in the differ ent gastrointestinal tract （GI） regions of broilers were investigated by quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction, and the probiotic characteristics of six L. reuteri species isolated from broilers＇ GI tract were also investi gated to obtain the potential target for genetic engineering. Lactobacilli had the highest diversity in the crop and the lowest one in the cecum. Compared with the lower GI tract, more LactobaciUi were found in the upper GI tract. Lactobacillus reuteri, johnsonii, L. acidophilus, L. crispatus, L. salivarius, and L. aviarius were the predominant Lactobacillus species and present throughout the GI tract of chickens. Lactobacillus reuteri was the most abundant Lactobacillus species. Lactobacillus reuteri XC1 had good probiotic characteristics that would be a potential and desirable target for genetic engineering.     

The fluorescence brightener Rylux BSU induces dimorphism inBasidiobolus ranarum

The fluorescence brightener Rylux BSU (RBSU) showed an affinity for polysaccharide components of cell walls and accumulated in the extension zones of hyphal apices inBasidiobolus ranarum. It inhibited the polarized growth of mycelial hyphae and induced isotropic growth resulting in spherical thick-walled cells up to 456 μm in diameter. On the inner cell wall surface, massive protuberances were formed. The cell wall and protuberances were positive in PAS and the Grocott method and stained with fluorochromes Blankophor BA, Calcofluor, Uvitex 2B, Rylux BSU and FITC-labeled WGA- and ConA-lectins. The WGA-FITC fluorescence intensity of the wall’s outermost layer, if not connected with neighbouring cells, and the fluorescence intensity of the innermost layer and of some protuberances mainly in their apical parts were on the average twice higher than the fluorescence intensity of the remaining wall material. RBSU binding to the cell wall material was stable. The process of converting from polarized to isotropic growth was reversible, depending upon contact with RBSU-containing medium. Repeated transfers of cells from RBSU-containing medium to an RBSU-free medium resulted in the development of apical swollen dumbbell-shaped cells.     

Changes in Carboxypeptidase A,Dipeptidase and Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>/K<Superscript>+</Superscript> ATPase Activities in the Intestine of Rats Orally Exposed to Different Doses of Cadmium

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of cadmium on some protein digestive and absorption enzymes in rats. Thirty-six rats were grouped into three groups of 12 animals each; one group received deionised water and acted as control. One group received 445 μM Cd and the last group received 890 μM Cd in their drinking water for a period of one month. The results obtained indicate that increasing the level of cadmium from 445 μM to 890 μM in the drinking water of the rats led to 29 and 23 increase in accumulated cadmium in the proximal and distal small intestine respectively. The body weight gain of rats exposed to 445 μM and 890 μMCd was decreased by about 24 and 43 respectively when compared with the control. The activities of carboxypeptidase A, dipeptidase and Na+/K+ ATPase were reduced in the mucosa of the proximal end of the small intestine of cadmium exposed rats. The reduction was dose dependent; with the 890 μM Cd exposed rats displaying the least activities. In the distal small intestine, the activities of these enzymes were restored in the 445 μM Cd exposed rats to levels that were not statistically different (P>0.05) from those observed in the controls. In the 890 μMCd exposed rats, dipeptidase activity improved by about 80 compared with the activity of the enzyme in the proximal small intestine. Likewise, Na+/K+ ATPase activity increased by about 125 compared with the observed level in the proximal small intestine. The study suggests that cadmium given to rats in drinking water compromise protein digestion and absorption of nutrients particularly in the proximal region of small intestine and could account for weight reduction associated with cadmium toxicity. Published online December 2004     

Synaptic organization of substance P, glutamate and GABA-immunoreactive boutons on functionally identified neurons in cat spinal deeper dorsal horn

In order to determine how nociceptive input conveyed by the C-fibers terminating in superficial lam-inae of the spinal cord reaches the wide dynamic range (WDR) cells in deeper dorsal horn, which functions as ascend-ing projection pathway, the morphological features of some WDR cells in the deeper dorsal horn of the cat lumbar spinal cord were studied by intracellular injection of horseradish peroxidase and physiological characterization. One of the fully stained neurons with somata in lamina V and dendrites that entered lamina Ⅱ were examined by electron mi-croscopy. Immunogold staining of ultrathin sections through the labeled proximal dendrites in lamina Ⅱ revealed that these dendrites received numerous synapses from substance P and glutamate immunoreactive (IR) axons, which were considered originating from C-fibers. In addition, many GABA-IR terminals were found presynaptic to the labeled dendrites. The results, therefore, suggest that the information carried by primary afferent can be sent from t     

Comparative studies on histological and ultra-structure of the pituitary of different ploidy level fishes

The histological and ultra-structure of the pituitary in diploid red crucian carp(Carassius auratus red var.),triploid crucian carp and allotetraploid hybrids within and after the breeding season were comparatively studied.The result showed that there were six endocrine cell types in the pituitary of these three kinds of fishes,and there was an obvious difference in cell size among different ploidy level fishes.As for the same type of pituitary cells,the cell size was increased gradually with the in- creasing ploidy level.In the breeding season,the allotetraploid hybrids had higher proportion of go- nadotropin cells(GTH)than triploids,and the triploids had higher proportion of GTH than diploids.The results were related to the earlier sexual maturity of allotetraploid hybrids and sterility of triploid cru- cian carp.On the other hand,among the three kinds of fishes,the proportion of somatotropin(STH) cells in triploids crucian carp was the highest,whereas that in allotetraploid hybrids was the lowest. The results might be connected with the faster growth rate of triploids and slower growth rate of al- lotetraploid hybrids.In addition,in GTH cells of meso-adenohypophysis after the breeding season, there were many endocrine particles in triploids,while those endocrine particles were released from the cells in allotetraploids and diploids.This result showed that the sterility of triploid crucian carp might be related to the hormone which was not released from the GTH cells.In a word,the present study indicated that the differences in the structure of pituitary among different ploidy level fishes contributed to their difference in the growth rate and gonadal development.     

Stem cell therapy applied for digestive anastomosis: Current state and future perspectives

BACKGROUND Digestive tract resections are usually followed by an anastomosis.Anastomotic leakage,normally due to failed healing,is the most feared complication in digestive surgery because it is associated with high morbidity and mortality.Despite technical and technological advances and focused research,its rates have remained almost unchanged the last decades.In the last two decades,stem cells(SCs)have been shown to enhance healing in animal and human studies;hence,SCs have emerged since 2008 as an alternative to improve anastomoses outcomes.AIM To summarise the published knowledge of SC utilisation as a preventative tool for hollow digestive viscera anastomotic or suture leaks.METHODS PubMed,Science Direct,Scopus and Cochrane searches were performed using the key words“anastomosis”,“colorectal/colonic anastomoses”,“anastomotic leak”,“stem cells”,“progenitor cells”,“cellular therapy”and“cell therapy”in order to identify relevant articles published in English and Spanish during the years of 2000 to 2021.Studies employing SCs,performing digestive anastomoses in hollow viscera or digestive perforation sutures and monitoring healing were finally included.Reference lists from the selected articles were reviewed to identify additional pertinent articles.METHODS Given the great variability in the study designs,anastomotic models,interventions(SCs,doses and vehicles)and outcome measures,performing a reliable meta-analysis was considered impossible,so we present the studies,their results and limitations.RESULTS Eighteen preclinical studies and three review papers were identified;no clinical studies have been published and there are no registered clinical trials.Experimental studies,mainly in rat and porcine models and occasionally in very adverse conditions such as ischaemia or colitis,have been demonstrated SCs as safe and have shown some encouraging morphological,functional and even clinical results.Mesenchymal SCs are mostly employed,and delivery routes are mainly local injections and cell sheets followed by biosutures(sutures coated by SCs)or purely topical.As potential weaknesses,animal models need to be improved to make them more comparable and equivalent to clinical practice,and the SC isolation processes need to be standardised.There is notable heterogeneity in the studies,making them difficult to compare.Further investigations are needed to establish the indications,the administration system,potential adjuvants,the final efficacy and to confirm safety and exclude definitively oncological concerns.CONCLUSION The future role of SC therapy to induce healing processes in digestive anastomoses/sutures still needs to be determined and seems to be currently far from clinical use.     

扬子鳄消化道内分泌细胞的免疫组织化学研究

应用７种特异性胃肠激素抗血清对扬子鳄消化道内分泌细胞进行了免疫组织化学定位。５－羟色胺细胞在消化道各段都有分布,以十二指肠密度最高,食道、直肠其次。生长抑素细胞在胃幽门部非常密集,胃体中等,胃贲门部较少,十二指肠偶见。胃泌素细胞主要分布于十二指肠前段,空肠、回肠和直肠偶见。许多血管活性肠肽细胞分布于胃贲门部,胃体和胃幽门部少数。胰高血糖素、胰多肽和Ｐ－物质在消化道各段均未检出阳性细胞。结合扬子鳄的     

两种有胃鱼消化道6种内分泌细胞的免疫组织化学比较研究

目的 应用6种胃肠激素抗血清对胡子鲶(Clarias fuscas)和瓦氏黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus vachelli Richardson)消化道内分泌细胞进行了免疫组织化学比较.方法 应用链霉亲和素-生物素-过氧化物酶复合物技术(streptavidin biotin-peroxidase complex method,SABC法)免疫组织化学方法.结果 除胡子鲶后肠外,五羟色胺细胞在两种鱼的消化道各段均有分布,其中贲门部或幽门部密度最高,前中肠次之,食道最少;胡子鲶消化道中生长抑素细胞主要分布于胃贲门部和胃部,食管、胃幽门及肠道内未见分布,而瓦氏黄颡主要分布于食管和胃部,肠道内未见分布;胃泌素细胞在胡子鲶消化道内只在肠内检测到,瓦氏黄颡只在幽门胃和前肠两个部位检测到;胰多肽细胞只在瓦氏黄颡的幽门胃和前肠两个部位有分布;胰高血糖素和P-物质两种细胞在两种鱼的消化道各段均未见其分布.结论 两种有胃鱼消化道中六种内分泌细胞的分布既有一定的共性,体现了两者消化生理的共同点;同时又存在较大的种间差异,与各自食性及生活环境相适应.     

扬子鳄消化道Ghrelin免疫活性细胞的分布及其在冬眠期的密度变化

目的 研究扬子鳄（Alligator sinensis）消化道中生长素释放肽ghrelin免疫活性（IR）细胞的分布、组织定位及其在冬眠期的变化.方法 应用链霉亲和素-生物素-过氧化物酶复合物（SABC）免疫组织化学方法结合生物统计学分析.结果 Ghrelin-IR细胞在扬子鳄的小胃密度最高,在胃贲门部、胃体和胃幽门部有少量分布,主要位于胃腺上皮细胞之间.在食管、十二指肠、空肠、回肠和直肠中均未检测出ghrelin-IR细胞.冬眠期小胃ghrelin-IR细胞显著性减少（P〈0.01）,其它部位无显著性变化（P〉0.05）.结论扬子鳄消化道ghrelin-IR细胞的分布同其它动物有相似之处,也有其一定的特异性.Ghrelin在扬子鳄冬眠期的代谢变化和能量稳态的调节中起重要作用.     

黑眶蟾蜍和黑斑蛙消化道5-羟色胺免疫活性细胞的免疫组织化学

对黑眶蟾蜍（Bufo melanostictus）和黑斑蛙（Rana nigromaculata）消化道5-羟色胺免疫活性细胞的形态、分布进行了免疫组织化学定位。5-羟色胺免疫活性细胞在黑眶蟾蜍和黑斑蛙消化道各段中均有分布,分布密度均呈升-降-升-降的波浪式分布特点,二者在幽门部和回肠都有个分布的高峰值。黑眶蟾蜍回肠最高,空肠、幽门部次之,十二指肠、直肠最低;黑斑蛙幽门部最高,回肠、空肠次之,食道、贲门部、直肠最低。5-羟色胺免疫活性细胞位于胃的胃腺上皮、食道及肠的粘膜上皮,有圆形、椭圆形、梭形、楔形等,有的有胞突。文中讨论了5-羟色胺免疫活性细胞分布型的原因及形态与功能的关系。     

无斑肥螈消化道五羟色胺免疫活性细胞的分布与形态学观察

用S－P免疫组织化学的方法对无斑肥塬消化道五－羟色胺（5－HTIR）免疫活性细胞的分布及形态进行了观察。结果表明,5－HTIR细胞从食道到直肠的消化道各段均有分布。其中,幽门部密度最高,十二指肠次之,直肠最低。5－HTIR细胞形态多样,有圆形、梭形、纺锤形或烧瓶形,梭形、纺锤形或烧瓶细胞有较长的胞突,有时胞突可见明显分叉。同时讨论了5－HRIR细胞的分点特点、形态与功能的关系。     

日本林蛙胃肠道内分泌细胞的免疫组织化学

应用7种胃肠激素抗血清对日本林蛙胃肠道内分泌细胞的形态和分布进行了免疫组织化学研究。5-羟色胺(5-HT)免疫活性(-IR)细胞分布于胃肠道各段,其在胃肠道中的分布密度为：十二指肠、空肠处最高,胃中各段居中,回肠和直肠处最低。生长抑素(sS)-IR细胞分布于胃贲门至空肠的胃肠道段,其分布密度自前向后呈递减趋势。胃泌素(Gas)-IR细胞在十二指肠和空肠处有少量分布。高血糖素(Glu)-IR细胞仅见胃体部位较少分布。P_物质(SP)-IR细胞在回肠和直肠中有分布。胃肠道各段均未检出胰多肽(PP)-IR细胞和胰岛素(Ins)-IR细胞。与其它动物相比较,对日本林蛙胃肠道内分泌细胞的分布型进行了讨论。     

牛蛙胃肠胰系统内分泌细胞的免疫组织化学鉴定与定位

应用过氧化物酶标记的链霉卵白素(S-P)免疫组织化学方法对牛蛙(Rana catesbeiana)胃肠胰系统5种内分泌细胞进行了鉴定与定位.在消化道中检测到了5-羟色胺(5-HT)、生长抑素(SS)、胃泌素(Gas)和胰高血糖素(Glu)细胞.5-HT细胞主要分布于胃幽门部和空肠,食道中偶见.SS细胞主要分布于胃,幽门部较密集,小肠各段少量,直肠和食道偶见.Gas细胞主要分布于小肠各段,胃和直肠中偶见,食道中未检测到.Glu细胞主要分布于胃和直肠,小肠各段偶见,食道中未检测到.在胰腺中检测出了5-HT、SS、Gas、Glu和胰多肽(PP)细胞.SS、Glu和PP细胞数量较多,成簇分布于胰岛中,5-HT和Gas细胞少量,散在分布于胰腺腺泡之间.胃腺部和胰腺内分泌细胞多呈圆形、椭圆形或形态不规则,有的可见明显胞突伸向邻近细胞,胃肠道上皮中的内分泌细胞多呈梭形、楔形或锥形,有的可见明显胞突伸向消化腔.与其它两栖动物相比,牛蛙胃肠胰系统内分泌细胞的存在与分布有一些共性,也存在着种间差异.     

白条草蜥消化道内分泌细胞的免疫组织化学

应用6种胃肠激素抗血清和免疫组织化学ABC法(avidin-biotin complex method),对白条草蜥(Takydromus wolteri)消化道内分泌细胞进行了免疫组织化学定位研究和形态学观察。结果表明,5-羟色胺细胞较其他5种内分泌细胞的分布更为广泛,整个消化道中(即从食管到直肠)均有分布,其分布密度高峰位于幽门。食管、回肠和直肠未检测到生长抑素细胞,生长抑素细胞在幽门部分布密度最高,总体来说生长抑素细胞的分布在胃部较高而在小肠部较低。胃泌素细胞和胰多肽细胞分布在小肠,均在十二指肠分布密度最高。胰高血糖素细胞在胃幽门部分布密度最高,十二指肠、空肠次之,回肠分布密度最低。P-物质细胞仅分布于幽门部。6种内分泌细胞以圆形和锥体形为主,它们广泛分布于消化道黏膜之间、腺泡上皮细胞之间及上皮细胞基部。内分泌细胞的密度分布与其食性、食物组成和生活环境有关,它们的形态与其内、外分泌功能是相适应的。     

两种蛇消化道5-羟色胺细胞的免疫组织化学定位及比较

应用5－羟色胺特异性抗血清,对眼镜蛇和乌梢蛇消化道含5－HT的内分泌细胞进行了免疫组织化学定位和比较。5－HT细胞的形态在两种蛇中大致相同,消化道各部位都有呈圆形和长梭形（具胞突）的阳性细胞。食道和胃以圆形细胞为主,肠道段则以长梭形细胞为主。眼镜蛇5－HT细胞以十二指肠密度为最高,食道最低;乌梢蛇以幽门部密度为最高,直肠最低。肠道段两者分布特点相同,从十二指肠至直肠分布密度渐疏。本文还对两种蛇5－HT细胞分布型的原因、形态和功能相适应的特点进行了讨论。     

鳜鱼消化道黏液细胞和6种酶的组织化学定位

采用阿利新蓝-过碘酸雪夫氏(AB-PAS)染色和酶组织化学方法对鳜鱼消化道各部位黏液细胞和6种酶的分布与定位进行了研究。结果显示,黏液细胞可为分为4种类型,食道黏液细胞多数为Ⅲ型和Ⅳ型,未见Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型;胃贲门和胃幽门黏膜上皮仅有Ⅰ型黏液细胞;胃体黏膜上皮则以Ⅲ型细胞为主;幽门盲囊中主要为Ⅱ型细胞;前肠和中肠中Ⅳ型黏液细胞最多,Ⅰ型最少;后肠黏液细胞则以Ⅳ型和Ⅱ型为主。酸性磷酸酶(ACP)主要分布于幽门盲囊和前肠的黏膜上皮;碱性磷酸酶(ALP)主要分布于食道、幽门盲囊和整个肠道黏膜上皮;非特异性酯酶(NSE)主要分布于胃幽门、中肠和后肠黏膜上皮;过氧化物酶(POX)在胃幽门黏膜上皮中活性较高;琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)主要分布于胃腺中;腺苷三磷酸酶(ATPase)在消化道各部位均有较多分布。鳜鱼消化道黏液细胞和酶的分布型与其它动物有相似之处,也有其一定的特异性,与消化道不同部位的消化吸收机能相适应。