富氢液对大鼠脓毒血症引起急性肺损伤的影响

目的:探讨富氢液对大鼠脓毒血症引起急性肺损伤的影响。方法:24只大鼠建立盲肠结扎穿孔法(CLP)脓毒症模型,随机均分为以下3组(n=8):假手术组(Sham组)、CLP组及CLP+富氢液组。CLP+富氢液组于CLP后即时、6及18 h腹腔分别注射富氢液5 ml/kg,CLP组及假手术组于上述相应时间点腹腔注射富氢液5 ml/kg。CLP或假手术24 h后检测肺组织TNF-α、IL-6、HMGB1、IL-10、MDA、SOD、MPO活性及干湿重比(W/D)并采用HE染色法进行肺组织学评分。结果:与Sham组比较,CLP组及CLP+富氢液组肺组织TNF-α、IL-6、HMGB1、IL-10、MDA、SOD、MPO活性、W/D及肺组织学评分明显升高而SOD活性明显降低(P<0.05);与CLP组相比,CLP+富氢液组IL-6、HMGB1、MDA、MPO明显降低及肺组织学评分明显降低而SOD明显升高(P<0.05)。结论:富氢液降低脓毒血症的炎性反应和氧化应激,从而改善ALI时的肺功能。     

乙酰左旋肉碱对大鼠脊髓损伤的神经保护作用及其机制*

目的:观察不同剂量乙酰左旋肉碱(ALC)对脊髓损伤大鼠后肢运动功能恢复和脊髓组织结构的影响,为临床治疗脊髓损伤提供实验和理论依据。方法:将55只8～10周SD大鼠随机分为高(300 mg/kg)、中(200 mg/kg)、低剂量(100 mg/kg)药物干预(SCI+ALC)组、损伤(SCI)组和假手术(Sham)组共5组用于行为学评价、MAD和SOD检测、HPLC检测和HE染色。BBB评分和改良Rivlin斜板实验评价各组大鼠后肢运动功能。HE染色观察对脊髓组织形态结构的影响。另外9只大鼠随机分为Sham组、SCI组和ALC组,用于TUMEL法检测细胞凋亡情况。结果:高、中、低剂量SCI+ALC组干预后BBB评分与SCI组比较,其中中、高剂量ALC组具有显著性差异(P＜ 0.01),大鼠后肢运动功能得以明显改善;Rivlin斜板实验最大倾斜角,SCI+ALC组较SCI组角度明显增加(P＜ 0.05),其中中、高剂量ALC组具有显著性差异(P＜0.01)。HE染色ALC高剂量组较SCI组,组织结构明显改善,炎性细胞和红细胞数量减少,神经细胞核仁部分显示不清。ELISA法检测大鼠损伤节段脊髓组织中SOD活力和MDA含量。结果提示,SCI+ALC组较SCI组SOD活力明显增加,而MDA含量明显降低(P＜0.05),其中中、高剂量ALC组具有显著性差异(P＜0.01)。HPLC色谱显示SCI+ALC组新鲜血清样品与ALC标准品溶液在 260 nm处具有相同的紫外吸收光谱,而Sham组和SCI组血清样品在该处未出现光谱值,说明SCI+ALC组样品中存在与标准品相同的物质。TUNEL染色显示Sham组可偶见凋亡信号,ALC高剂量组较SCI组细胞凋亡信号明显减少(P＜ 0.05)。结论:ALC能促进脊髓损伤大鼠后肢运动功能的恢复,抑制氧化应激和细胞凋亡、对受损脊髓组织具有修复作用。     

EPO对肾脏缺血再灌注损伤大鼠肺内氧化应激状态的影响

目的:探讨促红细胞生成素(erythropoietin,EPO)对大鼠肾脏再灌注损伤模型肺内氧化应激状态的影响。方法:清洁级Sprague-Dawly(SD)大鼠36只适应性喂养1周后,随机分为3组,即假手术组(A组)、肾脏再灌注损伤组(B组)和EPO预处理组(C组),每组12只。A组大鼠只打开腹腔,游离双侧肾蒂但不夹闭;B组与C组都建立了大鼠肾脏再灌注损伤模型,且C组在夹闭肾蒂前2 h腹腔注射人重组EPO(5000 U/kg)。术后24 h,处死大鼠,检测肺内氧化应激水平。结果:A组大鼠精神状态良好,肾小管结构正常,未见明显上皮细胞肿胀、脱落,肺泡结构基本完整,肺泡间隔未增厚,有少量炎性细胞浸润;B组鼠毛耸立,无光泽,饮水量减少,肾小管结构破坏消失,肾小管扩张,可见大量蛋白管型,肺泡结构破坏,肺泡腔缩窄,肺泡间隔增厚,组织水肿,大量炎性细胞浸润;C组大鼠精神状态有所恢复,一般状况尚可,肾小管损伤较B组轻似,肾小管坏死区域有所减少,坏死偶见,肺泡壁轻度破坏,结构较为清晰,可见少量炎性细胞浸润。B组与C组大鼠的血尿素氮(blood urea nitrogen, BUN)与血肌酐(serum creatinine,Scr)水平、肺组织血红素氧合酶(heme oxygenase, HO)-1与丙二醛(malondialdehyde, MDA)水平都显著高于A组,C组以上指标均显著低于B组(P0.05)。B组超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase, SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(glutathione peroxidase,GSH-Px)的水平均显著高于A组(均P0.05),而C组SOD和GSH-Px的水平均显著高于B组(均P0.05),A组与C组间对比无显著差异。结论:EPO用于大鼠肾脏再灌注损伤模型能缓解肺内氧化应激状态,促进肾功能及肺组织恢复,发挥肾脏保护作用。     

门静脉高压症大鼠肠系膜组织内皮素B受体表达的变化

目的:探讨胆汁性肝纤维化引起的门静脉高压症(PHT)大鼠肠系膜组织内皮素B受体表达(ETBR)的变化.方法:取体重250±10 g左右的清洁级SD雄性大鼠30只,根据体重随机分为假手术组、模型组,模型制作采用胆总管结扎的方法造成大鼠胆汁性肝纤维化.术后2周和4周分别测定各组的门静脉压力,应用免疫组化和免疫印迹的方法观察肠系膜组织ETBR的表达.结果:术后2周和4周模型组门静脉压力显著升高,分别为11.89±1.38 mmHg和16.34±1.63 mmHg.免疫组化显示假手术组肠系膜组织ETBR主要见于细动脉内皮细胞,而模型组大鼠ETBR的表达不仅见于细动脉内皮细胞,细动脉平滑肌细胞和微动脉表达也很显著.免疫印迹发现假手术组肠系膜组织ETBR含量很少,模型组大鼠ETBR表达明显增多.结论:正常大鼠肠系膜血管组织ETBR表达较少,随着肝组织损伤加剧和PHT形成,肠系膜组织ETBR表达明显增加,可能参与胆汁性肝硬化PHT形成过程.     

维甲酸X受体介导的氧化应激通路在大鼠肺缺血/再灌注损伤中的调控作用

本研究旨在探讨维甲酸X受体(retinoid X receptor, RXR)介导的氧化应激通路对大鼠肺缺血/再灌注损伤(pulmonary ischemia/reperfusion injury, PIRI)的干预作用及机制。选取雄性Sprague Dawley (SD)大鼠77只,随机分为7组(n=11):正常对照组(Control组)、假手术组(Sham组)、假手术+9-顺式维甲酸(9-cis retinoid acid,9-cRA,RXR激动剂)组(Sham+9-cRA组)、假手术+HX531 (RXR抑制剂)组(Sham+HX531组)、缺血/再灌注(ischemia/reperfusion, I/R)组、I/R+9-cRA组、I/R+HX531组。采用大鼠在体左侧肺门夹闭30 min再灌注180 min方法制备肺缺血/再灌注(I/R)模型。I/R+9-cRA组和I/R+HX531组大鼠于开胸前腹腔注射9-cRA和HX531。再灌注结束后取左肺组织,评估肺组织损伤,用试剂盒检测肺组织氧化应激等相关指标,用HE染色法和透射电镜分别观察肺组织形态和肺泡上皮细胞超微结构,用免疫荧光标记法观察肺组织RXRα的表达情况,用Western blot检测核因子E2相关因子(nuclear factor E2-related factor 2, Nrf2)蛋白表达情况。结果显示,与Sham组相比,I/R组肺组织出现明显损伤,SOD活性下降,MDA含量和MPO活性升高,Nrf2蛋白表达水平显著降低;与I/R组相比,I/R+9-cRA组肺组织损伤减轻,SOD活性升高,MDA含量和MPO活性下降,RXR和Nrf2蛋白表达水平明显上调。9-cRA的上述改善作用可被HX531逆转。上述结果提示,激动RXR可有效减轻大鼠肺I/R损伤,对肺组织有一定的保护作用,具体机制可能与其激活Nrf2信号途径,增强抗氧化水平,减轻氧化应激反应有关。     

去卵巢对骨质疏松大鼠皮肤衰老的影响

目的用去卵巢大鼠构建的骨质疏松症模型是研究绝经后骨质疏松疾病的最适模型,然而大鼠卵巢去除后对皮肤的影响如何,这方面的研究甚少。本研究旨在观察去卵巢对大鼠皮肤衰老指标的影响。方法 3月龄健康SD雌性大鼠20只,随机分为假手术组(Sham组)和去卵巢组(OVX组),卵巢去除后3个月,测定血清雌二醇,以及皮肤组织中与衰老相关的生化指标如过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性以及丙二醛(MDA)、羟脯氨酸(HYP)、脂褐质(LF)含量,并观察皮肤组织病理学变化,用计算机图像分析系统定量分析。结果 OVX组大鼠血清雌二醇水平显著降低;组织病理学观察显示OVX组表皮、真皮厚度较Sham组显著变薄(P0.01),皮肤胶原纤维减少,排列疏松;与Sham组相比,OVX组大鼠皮肤CAT、GSH-Px和SOD活性显著降低(P0.01),MDA含量较Sham组明显增加(P0.01),皮肤组织中HYP含量明显减少,LF含量显著增多(P0.01)。结论 3月龄大鼠卵巢去除后3个月可导致皮肤衰老,可能是研究绝经后皮肤衰老的适宜模型。     

小檗碱对大鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用及免疫机制*

目的:探讨小檗碱对大鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用及免疫机制。方法:50只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组(Sham group)、模型组(Model group)、小檗碱低剂量组(BBR-L,25 mg/kg)、小檗碱中剂量组(BBR-M,50 mg/kg)、小檗碱高剂量组(BBR-H,100 mg/kg),每组各10只。采用Longa线栓法建立脑缺血/再灌注大鼠模型,缺血2 h后再灌注24 h处理。于造模成功2 h后灌胃给药,假手术组和模型组组按上述方法同体积给予生理盐水。给药24 h后,测定各组大鼠神经功能缺损程度评分及脑梗死率;采用ELISA法检测抗氧化酶SOD和GSH-Px的活性、细胞因子TNF-α、IFN-β、IL-6和NO的含量;采用流式细胞术检测CD4⁺、CD8⁺及CD4⁺/CD8⁺血清含量;进一步采用RT-qPCR与Western blot技术检测大鼠脑组织内NF-κB-NLRP3信号轴关键基因及蛋白的表达情况。结果:与假手术组比较,模型组大鼠神经功能缺损程度、脑梗死率均升高(P＜0.05),且血清NO、TNF-α、IFN-β、IL-6含量和脑组织的NF-κB p65、NLRP3、ASC及caspase-1基因与蛋白表达水平均升高(P＜0.05),而血清中SOD、GSH-Px活性和CD4⁺、CD8⁺及CD4⁺/CD8⁺水平下降(P＜0.05);与模型组比较,BBR-H、BBR-M、BBR-L组大鼠神经功能缺损程度、脑梗死率均下降(P＜0.05),且血清NO、TNF-α、IFN-β、IL-6含量和脑组织的NF-κB p65、NLRP3、ASC及caspase-1基因与蛋白表达水平均降低(P＜0.05),而血清中SOD、GSH-Px活性和CD4⁺、CD8⁺及CD4⁺/CD8⁺水平升高(P＜0.05)。结论:小檗碱可通过减轻氧化应激,抑制炎症反应,增强免疫功能,减轻大鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤,其机制可能与抑制NF-κB-NLRP3信号有关。     

miR-133b靶向抑制SGTB对oxLDL诱导的血管内皮细胞损伤的影响*

目的:探讨微小RNA-133b(miR-133b)靶向抑制富含谷氨酰胺三十四肽重复序列的小蛋白质分子(SGTB)对氧化低密度脂蛋白(oxLDL)诱导的血管内皮细胞损伤的影响。方法:采用100 μg/ml的oxLDL诱导人脐静脉血管内皮细胞(EVC-304)24 h构建血管内皮细胞损伤模型。将EVC-304细胞分为对照组、oxLDL组(oxLDL处理)、oxLDL+miR-NC组(转染20 nmol/L miR-NC+oxLDL处理)、oxLDL+miR-133b组(转染20 nmol/L miR-133b mimics+oxLDL处理)、oxLDL+si-NC组(转染20 nmol/L si-NC+oxLDL处理)、oxLDL+si-SGTB组(转染20 nmol/L si-SGTB+oxLDL处理)、oxLDL+miR-133b+pcDNA组(转染20 nmol/L si-SGTB和pcDNA+oxLDL处理)、oxLDL+miR-133b+pcDNA-SGTB组(转染20 nmol/L si-SGTB和pcDNA-SGTB处理)。实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)和蛋白质印记(Western blot)检测miR-133b和SGTB的表达水平;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡;试剂盒检测丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)的活性;Western blot检测B细胞淋巴瘤/白血病-2(Bcl-2)和Bcl-2相关X蛋白(Bax)的表达水平。双荧光素酶报告基因实验和Western blot验证miR-133b对SGTB的靶向调控关系。结果:与对照组比较,oxLDL诱导后EVC-304细胞miR-133b、Bcl-2的表达水平显著降低(P＜0.05),SGTB、Bax的表达水平显著升高(P＜0.05),MDA含量和细胞凋亡率显著增加(P＜0.05),SOD和GSH-Px活性显著降低(P＜0.05)。过表达miR-133b或干扰SGTB均可抑制oxLDL诱导的EVC-304细胞凋亡和氧化应激损伤(P＜ 0.05)。miR-133b与SGTB直接结合,过表达miR-133b显著下调SGTB表达(P＜0.05),抑制miR-133b显著上调SGTB表达(P＜0.05)。过表达SGTB可逆转过表达miR-133b对oxLDL诱导的血管内皮细胞损伤的影响(P＜0.05)。结论:miR-133b通过靶向抑制SGTB的表达,可减轻oxLDL诱导的血管内皮细胞氧化应激损伤和细胞凋亡。     

芹菜素对大鼠睾丸标志酶及氧化还原平衡的影响

本文主要探究芹菜素对雄性大鼠睾丸标志酶活力及氧化还原平衡的影响,并探讨其作用机制。通过将48只雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组,分别灌胃给予生理盐水(NS)10 mL/kg、芹菜素(AP)234、468、936 mg/kg 35 d,末次灌胃24 h后,测定大鼠睾丸标志酶及氧化还原平衡相关指标。结果发现,大鼠睾丸ACP、AKP、LDH活力及GSH含量显著降低(P0.05),Ca2+Mg2+-ATP升高(P0.05)。低剂量组SOD/(GSH-Px+CAT)降低,T-AOC升高,MDA降低(P0.05),中剂量组SOD/(GSH-Px+CAT)升高,T-AOC升高(P0.05),高剂量组SOD/(GSH-Px+CAT)升高,T-AOC降低(P0.05)。结果表明芹菜素具有抗氧化和促氧化的双重作用。本实验中AP 234、468 mg/kg主要表现为抗氧化作用,936 mg/kg表现出促氧化作用。此外,AP 234、468、936 mg/kg能降低睾丸标志酶活力。     

高蛋氨酸饮食对大鼠血管内皮细胞分泌功能的影响

目的:探讨高蛋氨酸饮食对大鼠血管内皮细胞分泌功能的影响。方法:雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为正常饮食对照组(对照组)和高蛋氨酸饮食组(高蛋氨酸组)。对照组喂饲普通饲料,高蛋氨酸组大鼠喂饲含3%蛋氨酸的饲料,共8周。采用高效液相色谱法测定大鼠血浆同型半胱氨酸含量,以MDA、SOD、NO/ET和t-PA/PAI平衡等指标建立研究平台和内皮功能评价体系,同时以扫描电镜观察主动脉弓血管内皮细胞形态。结果:与对照组相比,高蛋氨酸组血浆Hcy含量显著高于对照组,是对照组的2倍以上;血浆MDA和SOD活力显著升高(P<0.05),t-PA/PAI-1和NO/ET比值均显著降低(P<0.05)。扫描电镜显示高蛋氨酸组大鼠内皮细胞呈典型虫蛀样损害,伴有附壁血栓形成和脂质沉积。结论:高蛋氨酸饮食可诱发大鼠高半胱氨酸血症,Hcy可通过氧化应激机制损伤血管内细胞分泌功能,血浆NO/ET和t-PA/PAI-1系统失衡。     

Intrahepatic ramification of the portal vein in the right and caudate lobes of the liver

We defined the subsegmental divisions and the ramification patterns of the portal vein in the right and caudate lobes using 25 human liver casts. The ramifications of the portal vein and the subdivisions of the liver were classified based on the major portal veins with the largest diameter and those having a diameter of not less than two thirds of the largest vein in each subsegment. The following results were obtained. (1) The portal trunk showed three ramification patterns and the basic pattern was bifurcation (80%). (2) The anterior portal vein first ramified into several anterior-inferior portal veins (P5) and ran toward the superior direction to bifurcate into 2 major portal veins in the anterior-superior subsegment (S8). (3) There were three types of ramification patterns of the portal veins in S8: bifurcation (84%), trifurcation and one-pedicle type. (4) There were also three branching types of the largest vein (P5-max) in P5: ramification from the anterior portal vein, P8-anterior vein supplying the anterior region of S8 and P8-posterior vein supplying the posterior region of S8. (5) The posterior portal vein showed two ramification patterns of the bifurcation (36%) and nonbifurcation type. (6) The major portal veins in the caudate subsegment ramified at various sites such as the portal trunk, left, right and/or other portal veins.     

Rational Classification of Portal Vein Thrombosis and Its Clinical Significance

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is commonly classified into acute (symptom duration <60 days and absence of portal carvernoma and portal hypertension) and chronic types. However, the rationality of this classification has received little attention. In this study, 60 patients (40 men and 20 women) with PVT were examined using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). The percentage of vein occlusion, including portal vein (PV) and superior mesenteric vein (SMV), was measured on CT image. Of 60 patients, 17 (28.3%) met the criterion of acute PVT. Symptoms occurred more frequently in patients with superior mesenteric vein thrombosis (SMVT) compared to those without SMVT (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in PV occlusion between patients with and without symptoms. The frequency of cavernous transformation was significantly higher in patients with complete PVT than those with partial PVT (p<0.001). Complications of portal hypertension were significantly associated with cirrhosis (p<0.001) rather than with the severity of PVT and presence of cavernoma. These results suggest that the severity of PVT is only associated with the formation of portal cavernoma but unrelated to the onset of symptoms and the development of portal hypertension. We classified PVT into complete and partial types, and each was subclassified into with and without portal cavernoma. In conclusion, neither symptom duration nor cavernous transformation can clearly distinguish between acute and chronic PVT. The new classification system can determine the pathological alterations of PVT, patency of portal vein and outcome of treatment in a longitudinal study.     

Effect of emotional-pain stress on the adrenocholinoreactivity of the smooth muscle of the portal vein

Effect of emotional painful stress (EPS) on adreno- and cholinoreactivity of the portal vein was studied. EPS produced a significant decrease in adrenoceptor sensitivity of the vein to noradrenaline, which was not accompanied by a significant change of cholinoceptor sensitivity to acetylcholine. A possible mechanism of the phenomenon is discussed.     

Dynamics of the poststress recovery of the contractile function and adrenoreactivity of the portal vein

Emotional painful stress is accompanied by deep depression of portal vein spontaneous contractile function and by a considerable fall of its smooth muscle adrenoreactivity . The time course of post-stress recovery of these parameters was studied. The time course of changes in adrenoreactivity was correlated to the previously studied time course of the post-stress content of noradrenaline in the portal vein wall. Portal vein contractile function was shown to return to normal completely only at the 8th day after exposure to stress. The time course of the recovery of smooth muscle adrenoreactivity was discovered to be similar to that of the recovery of noradrenaline concentration, being wave-like in nature with "fading" fluctuations. Both the processes were found to be marked by the same line of changes.     

Increased plasma volume in two models of portal hypertension in the rat: cirrhosis of the liver and partial portal vein ligation

Portal hypertension has been studied in the rat to see if it is associated to altered blood volume composition, as it has been shown in other species. Plasma volume was measured by isotope dilution using 99mTc labelled albumin in three groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats: normal rats (controls), partially ligated portal vein rats and rats with Cl4C induced cirrhosis. Plasma volume was significantly higher in rats with portal hypertension due to partially ligated portal vein and cirrhosis than in control animals. Similarly, the calculated blood volume was also significantly higher in the portal hypertensive animals than in control group. Portal hypertension in the rat, therefore, has been demonstrated to be associated to a marked hypervolemia and this finding should be taken into consideration in haemodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies in portal hypertensive rat models.     

对比分析多种介入途径治疗门静脉系统血栓的临床疗效

目的:对比分析多种介入途径治疗门静脉系统血栓的临床疗效。方法:收集从2001年1月至2009年3月经我科治疗的37例门静脉系统(包括门静脉、肠系膜上、下静脉及脾静脉)血栓形成患者,根据介入治疗途径的不同分为三组:A组(13例)行经TIPS途径门静脉行碎栓溶栓及置管溶栓术;B组(19例)行直接经皮穿肝门静脉碎栓和或置管溶栓术;C组(5例)行经肠系膜上动脉置管溶栓治疗。所有的患者术后定期随访1-12个月,复查CT或彩超了解门静脉系统的血流变化及临床症状恢复情况。结果:A组:经治疗出院时11例(85%)患者门静脉完全再通,;1例(8%)门静脉血流部分再通,1例(8%)术后第二天因出血死亡。术后随访1、3、6、12月门静脉通畅率分别为:85%,77%,77%,62%;所有患者的临床症状均明显缓解。B组:经治疗出院时7例(37%)门静脉完全再通,9例(47%)部分再通,3例(16%)因出血中止溶栓;随访1、3、6月、12月门静脉通畅率分别为:32%,26%,16%,16%。C组:经治疗出院时5例(100%)患者门静脉均未再通,通畅率为0%,术后随访1-3个月内4例患者临床症状得到部分缓解。结论:经TIPS途径治疗后门静脉的再通率及临床症状改善均好于直接经皮穿肝及经肠系膜上动脉途径。经肠系膜上动脉置管溶栓法无法使已有侧支形成的门静脉主干复通,仅能一定程度缓解患者的临床症状。     

A novel canine model of portal vein stenosis plus thioacetamide administration-induced cirrhotic portal hypertension with hypersplenism

Current large animal models that could closely resemble the typical features of cirrhotic portal hypertension in human have not been well established. Thus, we aimed to develop and describe a reliable and reproducible canine cirrhosis model of portal hypertension. A total of 30 mongrel dogs were randomly divided into four groups: 1 (control; n = 5), 2 (portal vein stenosis [PVS]; n = 5], 3 (thioacetamide [TAA]; n = 5), and 4 (PVS plus TAA; n = 15). After 4-months modeling period, liver and spleen CT perfusion, abdominal CT scans, portal hemodynamics, gastroscopy, hepatic function, blood routine, the bone marrow, liver, and spleen histology were studied. The animals in group 2 (PVS) developed extrahepatic portosystemic collateral circulation, particularly esophageal varices, without hepatic cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Animals from group 3 (TAA) presented mild cirrhosis and portal hypertension without significant symptoms of esophageal varices and hypersplenism. In contrast, animals from group 4 (PVS + TAA) showed well-developed micronodular and macronodular cirrhosis, associated with significant portal hypertension and hypersplenism. The combination of PVS and TAA represents a novel, reliable, and reproducible canine cirrhosis model of portal hypertension, which is associated with the typical characteristics of portal hypertension, including hypersplenism.     

Hypoglycemic detection at the portal vein is mediated by capsaicin-sensitive primary sensory neurons

To elucidate the type of spinal afferent involved in hypoglycemic detection at the portal vein, we considered the potential role of capsaicin-sensitive primary sensory neurons. Specifically, we examined the effect of capsaicin-induced ablation of portal vein afferents on the sympathoadrenal response to hypoglycemia. Under anesthesia, the portal vein was isolated in rats and either capsaicin (CAP) or the vehicle (CON) solution applied topically. During the same surgery, the carotid artery (sampling) and jugular vein (infusion) were cannulated. One week later, all animals underwent a hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemic clamp, with glucose (variable) and insulin (25 mU x kg(-1) x min(-1)) infused via the jugular vein. Systemic hypoglycemia (2.76 +/- 0.05 mM) was induced by minute 75 and sustained until minute 105. By design, no significant differences were observed in arterial glucose or insulin concentrations between groups. When hypoglycemia was induced in CON, the plasma epinephrine concentration increased from 0.67 +/- 0.05 nM at basal to 36.15 +/- 2.32 nM by minute 105. Compared with CON, CAP animals demonstrated an 80% suppression in epinephrine levels by minute 105, 7.11 +/- 0.55 nM (P < 0.001). A similar response to hypoglycemia was observed for norepinephrine, with CAP values suppressed by 48% compared with CON. Immunohistochemical analysis of the portal vein revealed an 85% decrease in the number of calcitonin gene-related peptide-reactive nerve fibers following capsaicin-induced ablation. That the suppression in the sympathoadrenal response was comparable to our previous findings for total denervation of the portal vein indicates that hypoglycemic detection at the portal vein is mediated by capsaicin-sensitive primary sensory neurons.     

Down-regulation of metabolic proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis and easy to recur even the tumor is totally removed by surgery. Portal vascular invasion is one of the major factors contributing to tumor recurrence and poor prognosis. However, why hepatocellular carcinoma is easy to grow into vessels is unclear.

Methods

Surgical specimens from seven hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein thrombosis and seven patients without vascular invasion were utilized to analyze protein expression by proteomic technique. The proteins in the tumors were separated by 2-dimensional electrophoresis. Protein patterns in the gels were recorded as digitalized images. The differences of expression in hepatocellular carcinoma with or without portal vein thrombosis were identified by mass spectrometry.

Results

Clinically, the tumors with portal vein thrombosis were larger than those without portal vein thrombosis. The median survival time for the patients with portal vein thrombosis was much shorter [4 (ranged 2.5–47) vs. 53 (ranged 33–85) months, p = 0.002]. By analyzing the protein expression in cancer tissues with or without portal vein thrombosis, the differences of protein expression were mainly metabolic enzymes. Carbonic anhydrase I, betaine–homocysteine S-methyltransferase 1, fumarate hydratase, isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase, short-chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase and arginase-1 were all down-regulated in the tumors with portal vein thrombosis.

Conclusion

Metabolic enzymes and cytosol carbonic anhydrases were downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombus. The deficiency of metabolic enzymes and cytosol carbonic anhydrases may alter cellular metabolisms and acid–base balance in hepatocellular carcinoma, which may facilitate to invade portal vein.