Abstract: Objective To study the antiacute rejection effect of Pachymic acid (PA) in heart transplantation rats, in order to select a new antirejection medicine with low side effect from traditional Chinese medicine. Methods We established the model by transplanting Wistar rats (32,donor) heart allografts into the abdomen of SD rats (32,receptor). The homologous hearttransplanted rats were then randomly divided into 4 groups with 16 rats in each group. Olive oil solution with PA 1 mg/(kg·d), PA 10 mg/(kg·d), Cyclosporine (CsA) 5 mg/(kg·d) and olive oil solution 0.5 ml/(kg·d) were respectively given intragastrically to lowdosage PA group, highdosage PA group, CsA group and the control group till the end of observation. Survival time of heart allografts, heart beating and the histological changes of allografts were examined and serum level of interleukin2 (IL-2) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were determined by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Survival time in the highdosage PA group, the lowdosage PA group and the CsA group were 24.90±0.99 d, 15.50±1.60 d and 26.80±0.88 d respectively, which is much better than the control group (6.10±1.10 d, q=22.363, P=0.000; q=44.793, P=0.000; q=49.272,P=0.000). IL-2 serum level in the highdosage PA group, the lowdosage PA group and the CsA group were all lower than that in the control group (q=14.483, P=0.000; q=3.705, P=0.000; =21.418,P=0.000), whileIL-2 serum level in the highdosage group was lower than that in the lowdosage group (q=10.778,P=0.000). Similarly, IFN-γ serum level in the first three groups were all lower than that in the control group (q=16.508,P=0000; q=4.281, P=0.000;q=19.621, P=0.000) and IFNγ serum level in the highdosage group was also lower than that in the lowdosage group (q=14.975, P=0.000). Pathological examination 7 days after the surgery showed that pathologic lesion was much more relieved in the two PA groups and the CsA group than the control group. Conclusion Acute rejection of heart transplantation can be effectively suppressed by PA.
ObjectiveTo study the changes the changes of cytokine expression the aqueous humor of patients with macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO-ME) before and after intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR). MethodsA prospective clinical study. From June 2018 to June 2021, 31 eyes of 31 patients with non-ischemic BRVO-ME diagnosed by ophthalmic examination in Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Hepingli Hospital were included in the study. Among them, 15 males had 15 eyes, and 16 females had 16 eyes. Age was 70 (65, 72) years; the course of disease was 10 (9, 15) days. All of them were first-time patients. All eyes were treated with IVR once a month for 3 consecutive months. At the end of each IVR treatment, 0.1 ml aqueous humor was extracted immediately. The concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in aqueous humor were detected by flow cytometry. The concentrations of cytokines in aqueous humor before and after treatment were compared by Kruskal-Wallis or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Spearman correlation analysis was performed on the correlation between VEGF and MCP-1 expression level in aqueous humor before treatment. ResultsThe concentrations of VEGF and ICAM-1 in aqueous humor were significantly lower at 1 month after treatment compared with that before treatment, and at 2 months after treatment compared with that at 1 month after treatment (Z=4.03, 3.25, 2.50, 3.48; P＜0.05); the concentrations of IL-6 and VCAM-1 increased and the concentration of MCP-1 decreased, but there was no significant difference (Z=－0.21, 1.42, 0.86, －0.53, 0.92, －1.57; P＞0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was a strong positive correlation between VEGF and MCP-1 in aqueous humor before treatment (r=0.78, P＜0.001). ConclusionThe concentrations of VEGF and ICAM-1 in aqueous humor significantly decrease after IVR treatment in BRVO-ME; the concentrations of IL-6, MCP-1 and VCAM-1 do not obviously change.
ObjectiveTo bioinformatically analyze the gene chip data of chondrocytes from osteoarthritis patients from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and explore the molecular mechanisms of osteoarthritis.MethodsWe searched the GEO database (up to April 23rd, 2021) for data of chondrocytes and gene expression profiling in human knee osteoarthritis via the key words of “osteoarthritis OR cartilage OR chondrocyte*”. Then, we selected the samples by our inclusion criteria. The data were normalized before analysis. After differentially expressed genes were identified, Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, Search Tool for the Retrival of Interacting Genes/Proteinsm, R language, Perl language, Cytoscape software, and DAVID database were used to perform differentially expressed gene analysis, functional annotation, and enrichment analysis.ResultsThe differentially expressed genes were mostly enriched in cell components and some extracellular regions, which participated in cell division, mitosis, cell proliferation and inflammatory response mainly via the regulation of protein kinase activity. The differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in the cell proliferation signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, oocyte meiosis, cell cycle and so on.ConclusionsMultiple signaling pathways are involved in the changes of chondrocytes in human knee osteoarthritis, mainly about cell cycle and protein metabolism genes/pathways. Inflammatory factors and cytokines may be the most important links in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.
Objective To investigate the effect of pigment epitheliumderived factor (PEDF）on the expression of glutamine synthetase in retinal Muuml;ller cells of diabetic rats.Methods Diabetic rats were induced with streptozotocin injection.Before and after injection of 10 mu;l (0.1 mu;g/mu;l) PEDF (experimental group) or 10 mu;l PBS (control group) into the vitreous cavities of diabetic rats respectively for 48 hours,the expressions of GS and IL-1beta; in retina were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and real time RTPCR techniques. After being treated with 100 ng/ml PEDF for 24 hours in high glucose conditions,the expressions of GS and IL-1beta; in cultured Muuml;ller cells were studied by western blot and real time RT-PCR techniques. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry after Annexin V fluorescein isothiocyanate/Propidium idoium (Annexin V-FITC/PI) staining.Results By immunohistochemistry (the protein level) and real time RT-PCR (the mRNA level),it was found that the expression of GS decreased and the expression of IL-1beta; increased obviously (real time RT-PCR：GS:t=4.23,P＜0.01；IL-1beta;:t=16.73,P＜0.01；immunohistochemistry：GS: t=5.13,P＜0.01；IL-1beta;:t=9.32,P＜0.01) in diabetic rats. After injection of 10 mu;l (0.1 mu;g/mu;l) PEDF into the vitreous cavities of diabetic rats for 48 hours,it was found that the expression of GS increased and the expression of IL-1beta; decreased significantly(RT-PCR GS:t=3.87,P＜0.01IL-1beta;:t=3.61,P＜0.05;immunohistochemistry:GS:t=3.32, P＜0.05；IL-1beta;: t=2.63,P＜0.05). Under high glucose conditions, 100 ng/ml PEDF induced decreasing expression of IL-1beta; and increasing expression of GS significantly (RT-PCR：GS: t=2.89, P＜0.05；IL-1beta;: t=3.37,P＜0.05；Western blot：GS:t=2.66,P＜0.05;IL-1beta;:t=3.23,P＜0.05).Apoptosis of Muuml;ller cells under high glucose conditions was inhibited significantly by the treatment with 100 nmol/ml PEDF (t=3.21,P＜0.05). Conclusions In diabetic rats,PEDF may decrease expression of IL-1beta; in rat retinal Muuml;ller cells, which may result in increasing expression of GS.To some degree,it inhibits possibly the death of retinal ganglion cells.
Objective To summarize the change in the cytokine network, the classification of various cytokines, interaction, and systemic impact on patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods The recently published literatures in domestic and abroad about advancement of cytokines in AP were reviewed. Results Cytokines had a complex network and interactions. There were a variety of regulatory mechanisms. The tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin cytokines played important roles in the progress of AP. Conclusions Change of cytokines during AP is a complex process. Any separate regulation for the release of sigle factor has no significant effect on the disease. The treatment according to immune balance should be a better direction.
Abstract： Objective To study the difference of gene expression profile of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） cultured in vitro from coronary heart disease patient with or without diabetes mellitus by Affymetrix Gene array. Methods One male patient at age of 53 years with coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus was included in this study with the diagnosis of coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Another male patient at age of 51 years with coronary heart disease without diabetes mellitus was also included in this study with the diagnosis of coronary heart disease. MSCs of the two patients were isolated and purified by the methods of density gradient centrifugation with lymphocyte separation medium for human and adherent filtration. The MSCs expression profile of cytokines and signal transduction genes were examined by Affymetrix gene array. Results There were 27 functional protein genes expression in the patient with coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus relating to cell apoptosis, cytokine, and signal transduction. Among them, the expression of 13 functional genes, including TNFRSF10B, TNFRSF21, NGF, CAV2, ITGA8, TNS1, ITGA2, AKT3, MBP, MAP2, INHBA, FST, PLA2G5, increased significantly in the patient with coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus. However, the expression level of 14 genes, including EPR1, BIRC5, HELLS, BCL2, HGF, CASP1, SEPP1, ITGA9, MAP2K6, RUNX3, TGFBR2, RUNX2, CTNNB1, CDC42, decreased significantly. Conclusion The gene expression profile of bone marrow MSCs from coronary heart disease patient with diabetes mellitus is significantly different from the patient with coronary heart disease patient without diabetes mellitus.
The aim of this study was to investigate the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-6(IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) in pancreatitis and its systemic complications. Thirty six patients with acute pancreatitis were studied, 12 with mild disease, and 24 severe disease, of whom 9 developed systemic complications. TNF, IL-6, CRP in these patients with pancreatitis was assessed during the first, 4th, 8th days of admission. The serum concentration of TNF, IL-6, CRP were significantly increased, and significantly higher in complicated group than in mild group and severe group. These findings suggest that proinflammatory cytokines play a central role in the pathophysiology of the disease, the host systemic response to pancreatic inflammation and the level of the response did relate to the development of organ dysfunction.
Objective To investigate the expression levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of NF-κB l igand (RANKL) mRNAs in bone tissues of the femoral head of the patients suffering glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosisof the femoral head (ONFH), and to discuss the relationship between OPG/RANKL and ONFH. Methods Between March2007 and March 2008, bone tissues of the femoral head were collected as the experimental material from 35 patients suffering ONFH (experimental group) and from 21 patients suffering fracture of femoral neck (control group). The ratio of men to women in both groups was 4 ∶ 3, whose age was 41-70 years old (55.34 on average in the experimental group and 55.33 on average in the control group). The experimental group received over 3 weeks’ glucocorticoid treatment or more than 1 week’ s high-dose glucocorticoid treatment in recent 2 years, while the control group never received more than 1 week’s hormone treatment. In the two groups, the microstructure of bone tissues of the femoral head was detected by HE staining and the bone tissue total RNA was extracted, and then the expression levels of OPG mRNA and RANKL mRNA were examined by realtime quantitative PCR (RTQ-PCR) for each sample. Results HE staining: bone trabeculae and bone units were replaced by interrupted bone fragments, which were surrounded by many inflammatory granulation tissues and few osteocytes were seen in bone lacunae in the experimental group. In the control group, bone trabeculae and bone units were made by complete lamellar bones which surrounded blood vessels and osteocytes were seen in lacunae. RTQ-PCR testing: in the experimental group, OPG mRNA and RANKL mRNA were 1.35 ± 0.42 and 4.36 ± 1.35, respectively, while in the control group they were 1.78 ± 0.63 and 3.49 ± 1.02, respectively. The expression level of OPG mRNA in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the expression level of RANKL mRNA of the former was significantly higher than the latter. The OPG mRNA/ RANKL mRNA ratio in the xperiment group (0.34 ± 0.16) was significantly lower than that in the control group (0.54 ± 0.20), and there was significant difference (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The glucocorticoid-induced ONFH may be related to the expression levels of OPG mRNA/RANKL mRNA in bone tissues.
The serum activities of 3 cytokines (TNF,IL-1 and IL-6) were observed in 23 patients admitted within 4 days of onset of acute pancreatitis (AP). The results showed that the serum level of 3 cytokines raised in all of the AP patients, significant difference between TNF and IL-1 was abserved at admission and IL-6 did after one week of admission, suggesting that proper cytokine criteria are useful in predicting severity of the disease but the relationship between cytokines and MOF had not established.