PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Juan Zhou

Publications and source records attributed to Juan Zhou.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A new antimicrobial susceptibility testing method of Escherichia coli against ampicillin by MSPQC.

A new antimicrobial susceptibility testing method by multi-channel series piezoelectric quartz crystal (MSPQC) was proposed. This method was used to test susceptibility of clinical Escherichia coli isolates against ampicillin. Both the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and interpretive categorization of clinical E. coli isolates were determined by proposed method. Comparing tests were run at the same time by the agar dilution method and the disk diffusion method. The experimental results showed that MSPQC method had a good agreement with the reference methods. Compared with those methods, the MSPQC method is simple, rapid, and convenient to perform. It can offer both a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and an interpretive category result.

Ampicillin↗

Facile preparation method of SiO2/PS/TiO2 multilayer core-shell hybrid microspheres.

Organic-inorganic hybrid particles have many potential applications, but almost all of this research was focused on the hybrid particles containing one kind of inorganic nanoparticles. This paper presented a facile preparation method for SiO2/PS/TiO2 multilayer core-shell hybrid microspheres. In this approach, positively charged SiO2/PS core-shell hybrid particles were first synthesized by miniemulsion polymerization using cationic initiator and emulsifier. These positively charged SiO2/PS hybrid particles were mixed with tetra-n-butyl titanate for sol-gel reaction to directly form SiO2/PS/TiO2 multilayer core-shell hybrid microspheres. Some influencing parameters such as surfactant concentration, tetra-n-butyl titanate amount, and glacial acetic acid amount were investigated. TEM, TGA, and EDX analyses indicated that titania layers were successfully coated onto the surfaces of hybrid microspheres.

Journal Article↗

Growth and characterization of piezoelectric Sr3Ga2Ge4O14 crystals.

Langasite (La3Ga5SiO14, LGS) and its isomorphs, have attracted much attention for their potential for surface acoustic wave (SAW) and bulk acoustic wave (BAW) applications. Among these homologous compounds, Sr3Ga2Ge4O14 (SGG) attracted our attention due to its superior piezoelectric properties and lower growth temperature. In this work, SGG single crystal has been grown successfully by the vertical Bridgman method with crucible-sealing technique. SGG wafers of 2 in. have been fabricated. The basic physical properties of SGG crystals were measured. The results demonstrate that piezoelectric and mechanical properties of SGG crystals are better than that of LGS crystal and it is expected to be a potential substrate material for SAW and BAW applications.

Journal Article↗

Effects of cytotoxic T lymphocytes on hepatoma cell line SMMC-7721 induced by different subsets of dendritic cells in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with complex antigen are always used to induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) which have a specific anti-tumor activity. However, CTLs can assault autologous cells induced by DCs loaded with autologous antigen. This study aimed to explore how to weaken the autoimmune reaction induced by DC vaccine by combining mature DC (mDC) activating immunity and immature DC (imDC) leading to immune tolerance to make hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) vaccine in vitro. METHODS: DC progenitors derived from human peripheral blood were assigned to two groups. One was cultured to mDC and pulsed with frozen-thawed antigen (FTA) of human HCC cell line SMMC-7721 cells (mDC group), and the other was cultured to imDC and pulsed with FTA of human liver cell line L-02 cells (imDC group). The morphology of DCs was monitored and cells phenotypes including HLA-DR, CD80, CD1alpha, CD83 were assayed by flowcytometry (FCM). The concentrations of interleukin-12 (IL-12) in the supernatant were assayed by ELISA. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) was used to evaluate T cell proliferation induced by mDC and imDC and the killing rate of CTL induced by mDC and imDC respectively/together on SMMC-7721 and L-02 cells. RESULTS: Compared with the imDC group, the mDC group was characterized by the following: increased secretion of IL-12 (P<0.05); higher expression of HLA-DR, CD1alpha, CD80, CD83; and stronger activity in stimulating proliferation of isogenic T cells (P<0.05). CTL induced by the mDC group had a significant killing response to SMMC-7721 as well as a higher killing rate for L-02 (P>0.05). CTL induced by mDC and imDC together had a higher killing response to SMMC-7721, but a lower killing rate for L-02 (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: CTL induced by mDC and imDC together has a higher antigen-specific killing response in vitro than that induced by mDC alone. This may be of greater clinical value.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

[Identification of up-regulated genes induced by angiotensin II in cardiac fibroblasts].

To identify up-regulated genes in adult rat cardiac fibroblasts (CF) induced by angiotensin II (Ang II), suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was performed between the CF stimulated by Ang II (tester) and unstimulated CF (driver) to generate subtractive cDNA library. The library was screened with dot blots hybridization to further verify the differentially expressed cDNA clones. Partial positive clones (19 up-regulated genes) were sequenced and BLAST analyzed. Twelve up-regulated genes related to extracellular matrix, cell cycle, intracellular signal transduction, cell cytoskeleton, cell metabolism and 7 new expressed sequence tags (EST) were acquired (GenBank accession number: CN382808, CN382809, CN382810, CN382811, CN382812, CN382813, CN382814). Our data reveal that SSH is a powerful technique of high sensitivity for the detection and cloning of up-regulated genes expressed in CF induced by Ang II, which may be helpful to clarify the mechanism of cardiac remodeling.

Angiotensin II↗

Protective effect of selenium-enriched Lactobacillus on CCl4-induced liver injury in mice and its possible mechanisms.

AIM: To study the protective effects and mechanisms of Se-enriched lactobacillus on liver injury caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in mice. METHODS: Seventy-two ICR mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal group, CCl4-induced model group, low Se-enriched lactobacillus treatment group (L-Se group), and high Se-enriched lactobacillus treatment group (H-Se group). During a 3-wk experimental period, the common complete diet was orally provided daily for normal group and model group, and the mice in L-Se and H-Se groups were given a diet with 2 and 4 mg of organoselenium from Se-enriched lactobacillus per kg feed, respectively. From the 2nd wk of experiment, the model group, L-Se group, and H-Se group received abdominal cavity injection of olive oil solution containing 500 mL/L CCl4 (0.07 mL/100 g body mass) to induce liver injury, and the normal group was given olive oil on every other day for over 2 wk. In the first 2 wk post injection with CCl4, mice in each group were killed. The specimens of blood, liver tissue, and macrophages in abdominal cavity fluid were taken. Then the activities of the following liver tissue injury-associated enzymes including glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) content were assayed. Changes of phagocytic rate and phagocytic index in macrophages were observed with Wright-Giemsa stain. Plasma TNF-alpha level was measured by radioimmunoassay. The level of intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in hepatocytes was detected under a laser scanning confocal microscope. RESULTS: During the entire experimental period, the AST and ALT activities in liver were greatly enhanced by CCl4 and completely blunted by both low and high doses of Se-enriched lactobacillus. The Se-enriched lactobacillus-protected liver homogenate GSH-Px and SOD activities were higher or significantly higher than those in model group and were close to those in normal group. CCl4 significantly increased MDA content in liver homogenates, while administration of Se-enriched lactobacillus prevented MDA elevation. Phagocytic rate and phagocytic index of macro-phages decreased after CCl4 treatment compared to those in normal control, but they were dramatically rescued by Se-enriched lactobacillus, showing a greatly higher phagocytic function compared to model group. CCl4 could significantly elevate plasma TNF-alpha and hepatocyte [Ca2+]i level, which were also obviously prevented by Se-enriched lactobacillus. CONCLUSION: Se-enriched lactobacillus can intervene in CCl4-induced liver injury in mice by enhancing macrophage function activity to keep normal and beneficial effects, elevating antioxidant-enzyme activities and reducing lipid peroxidation reaction, inhibiting excessive release of TNF-alpha, preventing the dramatic elevation of [Ca2+]i in hepatocytes.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Segmentation of subcortical brain structures using fuzzy templates.

We propose a novel method to automatically segment subcortical structures of human brain in magnetic resonance images by using fuzzy templates. A set of fuzzy templates of the structures based on features such as intensity, spatial location, and relative spatial relationship among structures are first created from a set of training images by defining the fuzzy membership functions and by fusing the information of features. Segmentation is performed by registering the fuzzy templates of the structures on the test image and then by fusing them with the tissue maps of the test image. The final decision is taken in order to optimize the certainty in the intensity, location, relative position, and tissue content of the structure. Our method does not require specific expert definition of each structure or manual interactions during segmentation process. The technique is demonstrated with the segmentation of five structures: thalamus, putamen, caudate, hippocampus, and amygdala; the performance of the present method is comparable with previous techniques.

Algorithms↗

Impairment of recipient cytolytic activity attenuates allograft vasculopathy.

We investigated the role of CD4+ and CD8+ T subsets as well as T cell cytolytic effector mechanisms in the aortic allograft model of allograft vasculopathy using CD4 and CD8 gene knockout mice (CD4(-/-), CD8(-/-)) and mice deficient in cytolytic effector pathways. Medial apoptosis at 2 weeks was reduced in CD8(-/-) mice and in mice where cytotoxic T cell activity was compromised. At 8 weeks, substantial medial damage was observed in wild-type (WT) and CD4(-/-) recipients but medial preservation was evident in CD8(-/-) mice and in mice with impaired cytotoxic T cell activity. The intima/media ratio, a comprehensive measure of allograft vasculopathy, was similar in WT and CD4(-/-) recipients but was significantly reduced in CD8(-/-) mice and mice with impaired cytotoxic T cell activity. These data indicate that CD8+ T cells contribute to the vascular remodeling that is characteristic of allograft vasculopathy. They also show that CD8+ T cells participate in allograft vasculopathy in the absence of CD4+ T cell help. We further demonstrated that WT mice exhibited robust allograft vasculopathy in the presence of cyclosporin A immunosuppression but that allograft vasculopathy was ablated in cyclosporin-treated CD8(-/-) mice. This supports the hypothesis that non-CD8+ T cell effector mechanisms are sensitive to calcineurin inhibitor therapy but that CD8+ T cell-mediated allograft vasculopathy is refractory to such treatment. Taken together, our data suggest that CD8+ T cells contribute to the induction of vascular remodeling in allograft vasculopathy and provide evidence that novel therapies which target CD8+ T cell effector function might be effective in mitigating AV in the clinical setting.

Animals↗

Chemopreventive effect of five drugs on renal interstitial fibrosis induced by an aristolochic acid-containing Chinese herb in rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study focuses on the chemopreventive effect of five drugs on renal interstitial fibrosis induced by an aristolochic acid-containing Chinese herb Mu-Tong. METHODS: Renal interstitial fibrosis was induced in rats by administration of the Mu-Tong solution intragastrically for 6 weeks, and 36 rats were randomly divided into six groups: (1) Mu-Tong, (2) Mu-Tong + captopril, (3) Mu-Tong + losartan, (4) Mu-Tong + simvastatin, (5) Mu-Tong + spironolactone, and (6) Mu-Tong + diammonium glycyrrhizinate. Blood biochemistry and extracellular matrix were detected at weeks 0, 2, 4, and 6. At the end of week 6, kidney tissue of all groups was evaluated with special Masson staining for the degree of renal fibrosis as well as regular histopathology. RESULTS: Mu-Tong caused progressive elevation of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, hyaluronic acid, procollagen type III, and laminin. All five drugs suppressed elevation of blood biochemistry and extracellular matrix to some degree, but only the simvastatin group showed a significantly reduced percentage of positive Masson staining area in renal section compared to the Mu-Tong group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that Mu-Tong induces a similar kidney injury with general characteristics in patients with renal interstitial fibrosis. All five different drugs have suppressive effects on Mu-Tong-induced renal function damage, and in particular, simvastatin shows a protective effect on development of Mu-Tong-induced renal interstitial fibrosis to a certain degree.

Animals↗

CD8+ T cells mediate aortic allograft vasculopathy by direct killing and an interferon-gamma-dependent indirect pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Allograft vasculopathy (AV) has emerged as the major obstacle to long-term survival in clinical heart transplantation. Immune events are implicated in the development of AV, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved remain unclear. We sought to determine whether and by what mechanism CD8(+) T lymphocytes are able to generate AV in a murine aortic allograft model. METHODS: Allo-primed CD8(+) T lymphocytes were transferred into immunodeficient (RAG-1(-/-)) mouse recipients of aortic allografts. We also transferred primed CD8(+) T cells with targeted deletions of effector molecules (perforin, Fas-ligand) to determine the role of direct cytolysis (CTL) in CD8(+) T-cell-mediated AV. We determined the role of non-CTL effector mechanisms through the transfer of either wildtype or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-deficient CD8(+) T cells into RAG-1(-/-) recipients of MHC class I-deficient allografts. RESULTS: Adoptive transfer of primed wildtype CD8(+) T lymphocytes into immunodeficient recipients of aortic allografts resulted in the development of robust AV lesions. Transfer of CD8(+) T lymphocytes with targeted deletions in CTL effector molecules resulted in reduction of AV lesion size but not abrogation. Transfer of wildtype CD8(+) T cells into recipients of MHC class I-deficient grafts resulted in a reduction in AV lesion size, while transfer of interferon-gamma-deficient CD8(+) T cells into MHC class I-deficient grafts abrogated AV. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that CD8(+) T cells mediate AV through direct cytolysis and a distinct interferon-gamma-dependent non-CTL effector pathway. Given the resistance of this cell type to conventional immunosuppression, these results may have important therapeutic implications.

Adoptive Transfer↗

Influences of nano-TiO2 on the chloroplast aging of spinach under light.

The effects of nano-TiO2 (rutile) on the chloroplast aging of spinach under light were studied. The results showed that when the chloroplasts were illuminated for 1, 5, and 10 min with 500 micromol/cm2/min light intensity, respectively, the evolution oxygen rate was rapidly increased; when the chloroplasts were treated for 20, 30, and 40 min with 500 micromol/cm2/min light intensity, respectively, the evolution oxygen rate was gradually decreased. While spinach was treated with 0.25% nano-TiO2, the rate of evolution oxygen of chloroplasts in different illumination times (1, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 min) was higher than that of control, and when the illumination time was over 10 min, the reduction of the evolution oxygen rate was lower than that of control. It suggested that nano-TiO2 treatment could protect chloroplasts from aging for long-time illumination. The mechanism researches indicated that nano-TiO2 treatment could significantly increase the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), decrease accumulation of reactive oxygen free radicals and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), and maintain stability of membrane structure of chloroplast under light.

Catalase↗

Effect of nano-TiO2 on photochemical reaction of chloroplasts of spinach.

The effects of nano-TiO2 (rutile) on the photochemical reaction of chloroplasts of spinach were studied. The results showed that when spinach was treated with 0.25% nano-TiO2, the Hill reaction, such as the reduction rate of FeCy, and the rate of evolution oxygen of chloroplasts was accelerated and noncyclic photophosphorylation (nc-PSP) activity of chloroplasts was higher than cyclic photophosphorylation (c-PSP) activity, the chloroplast coupling was improved and activities of Mg2+-ATPase and chloroplast coupling factor I (CF1)-ATPase on the thylakoid membranes were obviously activated. It suggested that photosynthesis promoted by nano-TiO2 might be related to activation of photochemical reaction of chloroplasts of spinach.

Biochemistry↗

[Effect of oxygen therapy for injury of intestinal mucosal barrier of rabbits in high altitude hemorrhagic shock].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of oxygen therapy on gut barrier function of rabbits after hemorrhagic shock at high altitude. METHODS: Fifteen rabbits were exposed to a simulated 4000 m high altitude in a hypobaric chamber, and they were randomly divided into two groups of treatment and control. Then hemorrhagic shock was induced through bleeding to mean artery pressure 40 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). After 1 hour, the rabbits were resuscitated with infusion of total volume of shed blood and balanced saline equivalent to 1.5 times of the shed blood. In addition, the animals of the treatment group were given oxygen therapy. RESULTS: After 4 hours treatment, the mean arterial pressure of the treatment group was increased significantly in comparison with the control group, and the concentrations of plasma lactate in the former were significantly decreased after treatment for 4 hours and 8 hours. The plasma lipopolysaccharide levels in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control after treatment, and the histologic evidence of damage to the intestinal mucosa of the rabbits in the treatment group was less marked than that in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Hemorrhagic shock at high altitude may cause disruption of the intestinal mucosa barrier and oxygen therapy could afford protection to the intestinal mucosa barrier in such circumstance.

Altitude Sickness↗

[Management of thyroid disease-induced tracheostenosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the special clinical characteristics of thyroid disease-induced tracheostenosis and elaborate on its clinical management. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 10 cases of thyroid disease-induced tracheostenosis was performed by reviewing the clinical record of their misdiagnoses and diagnostic approaches with fiberoptic bronchoscopy and/or cervical CT, thyroid scanning and pathological examination. The management included resection of the thyroid gland and airway reconstruction. RESULTS: Of the 10 patients, 3 were misdiagnosed to have bronchial asthma and 2 had a misdiagnosis of acute heart failure. Compression-induced tracheostenosis of grade II or III was identified by fiberoptic bronchoscopy or cervical CT, and the diagnosis of thyroid gland disease was established after pathological examination. Severe dyspnea was relieved in all patients after thyroid gland resection and airway reconstruction. Expandable metal stent placement was the most effective therapy for tracheostenosis induced by nodular goiter. Patients with tracheostomy cannula placement were at high risk of severe infection. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid disease-induced tracheostenosis is likely to be misdiagnosed, which is not difficult to prevent with constant awareness of the possibility. Severe dyspnea in these patients can be relieved effectively after thyroid gland resection and airway reconstruction, and the prognosis depends on the type of the thyroid disease, degree of the tracheostenosis and management approaches.

Adult↗

[Construction and effect of the recombinant pshRNA plasmid against respiratory syncystial virus M2-1 gene].

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory syncystial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of lower respiratory infections in infants worldwide. There is no reliable vaccine or antiviral drug against RSV at present. RNA interference (RNAi) technology is a potent method to degrade expression of the cognate mRNA. In order to inhibit the replication of RSV at gene level, the effects of specific RNAi against M2-1 gene of RSV on inhibition of viral replication in cell culture system was observed in this study. METHODS: RSV M2-1 gene, which plays a key role in RSV transcription, was chosen in this study and was used as target gene and recombinant plasmid pshRNA7816 targeting the mRNA of RSV M2-1 gene coding sequence was constructed. The pshRNA7816 was transfected into Hep2 cells. The effects of the pshRNA7816 on changes of cytopathogenic effect (CPE) of Hep2 cell induced by RSV infection were observed microscopically. Viral plaque forming assay and MTT assay were used to detect the viral titer change and protective function of the pshRNA7816 on RSV infected Hep2 cell. RESULTS: The recombinant RNAi plasmid pshRNA7816 which targets the mRNA of RSV M2-1 gene was successfully constructed. The pshRNA7816 significantly reduced CPE of RSV infected Hep2 cells, reduced the viral titer of RSV in the cells (P < 0.001). The pshRNA7816 raised the survival rate of RSV infected Hep2 cells (P < 0.001). Non-specific pshRNA plasmid did not show anti-RSV effects (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The recombinant pshRNA7816 plasmid which targeted the mRNA of RSV M2-1 gene showed a significant and specific anti-RSV effect.

Hep G2 Cells↗

Reduction in postoperative adhesion formation and re-formation after an abdominal operation with the use of N, O - carboxymethyl chitosan.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative adhesions have proven to be intractable complications after abdominal operations. This study assessed the efficacy of N, O - carboxymethyl chitosan (NOCC) to limit adhesion formation and re-formation in a rabbit abdominal surgery model. METHODS: In study 1 (adhesion formation), injuries to the large bowel, cecum, and abdominal sidewall were generated in rabbits. The rabbits (10/group) were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatment groups: Group A received no NOCC treatment; in group B, NOCC gel was applied directly to the injured site and NOCC solution was applied throughout the abdominal cavity; in group C, NOCC gel was applied near the injured site and NOCC solution was applied as above; in group D, NOCC gel was applied distant to the injury and NOCC solution was applied as above; in group E, a mixture of NOCC gel and solution was applied at the injured site. Adhesions were evaluated 14 days later. In study 2 (adhesion re-formation), adhesions were generated as above but were then lysed by careful dissection. After adhesiolysis, the rabbits (9/group) were treated with NOCC gel and solution at the site of adhesiolysis or left untreated. Adhesion re-formation was assessed 14 days later. In study 3 (mechanism of action), sterile tissue culture plates were coated with NOCC and adhesion of cultured, radiolabeled murine fibroblasts to the plates was assessed. RESULTS: In study 1, animals treated with NOCC gel and solution showed reduced adhesion formation (P<.01). NOCC gel was equally efficacious if applied on the site of injury or near the site of injury but less efficacious if applied at a site distant to the injury. In study 2, animals treated with NOCC gel and solution showed less adhesion re-formation compared with the untreated control animals (P<.01). In study 3, murine fibroblasts did not adhere to NOCC-coated tissue culture plates. CONCLUSIONS: NOCC gel and solution can reduce adhesion formation and re-formation in this rabbit model. The inability of fibroblasts to adhere to NOCC solution-coated surfaces suggests that NOCC may act as a biophysical barrier.

Abdominal Muscles↗

[A 20-year prospective study on risk factors for myocardial infarction of 5,137 men in Capital Steel and Iron Company].

OBJECTIVE: To identify independent risk factors for myocardial infarction (MI) in Chinese men and to develop a model to predict risk profile of an individual suffering MI. METHODS: Study sample included 5 137 men aged 45.2 +/- 7.8 years who came from a cohort in Beijing Capital Steel and Iron Company, based on the three surveys on coronary heart disease conducted in 1974, 1979 and 1980, respectively. Demographic data and other risk factors, such as life style, medical history, blood pressure, total serum cholesterol level (TC), etc. were collected according to the same protocol in 1980. All the participants were followed up for MI in an average period of 20.84 years until 2001. RESULTS: (1) There were 122 cases with MI identified during the period of follow-up, with an incidence of MI 117.4 per 100 000 person-years. Age of more than 50, smoking, higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) levels, higher TC all were identified as important risk factors of MI. (2) Incidence of MI increased with TC. An increment of 0.52 mmol/L of TC significantly increased relative risk of MI by approximately 40% after adjusted for age, blood pressure and smoking. (3) An increment of 20 mm Hg in SBP or 10 mm Hg in DBP associated with a 40% increase in incidence of MI, adjusting for age, TC and smoking. (4) Smoking was the most risky factors for MI. Smokers had 2.3 times risk of MI, after as compared to non-smokers (or its incidence increased by 137%), after adjusting for blood pressure, TC and age, etc. (5) Incidence of MI increased by 20% with increment of five-year of age in those aged over 50 (P < 0.05), after adjusting for blood pressure, TC and smoking. And, (6) finally, based on multivariate logistic and Cox regression analyses, a model containing several risk factors, such as age, blood pressure, TC and smoking, was developed to predict individual's risk for afflicting MI. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this prospective study showed several established risk factors for MI, including age, blood pressure, TC and smoking all as independent predictors of MI in Chinese men. It is clear and rational that intervention and modification of those traditional risk factors can lead to a decrease in coronary events in Chinese population.

Adult↗

[Changes of some immune-mediators in CCl4-induced liver injury mice].

Changes of some immune-mediators in liver tissue homogenate and plasma of liver injury mice injected with CCl4 and its mechanism in the liver injury process induced by CCl4 were studied. Thirty healthy mice with half of female and male were chosen and divided randomly into two groups which were control group (group C) and CCl4-injecting group (group CCl4). The liver injury was induced by abdominal injection of CCl4 (0.07 ml/100 g body weight) on every other day over six weeks. The blood and liver were collected at the 2nd, 4th and 6th week, respectively, and liver homogenate cAMP, cGMP levels and MDA concentration as well as plasma IL-2 and TNF-alpha levels were determined. The results show that during the entire experimental period, cAMP level decreased or markedly decreased in group CCl4. After the 2nd week of CCl4-injecting, cGMP was lower or significantly lower in group CCl4 than in group C; cAMP/cGMP ratio tended to drop, and was low or significantly low to group C; and MDA content was significantly higher in group CCl4 than in group C. During the whole experimental period, a marked decrease of plasma IL-2 in group CCl4 was seen, and plasma TNF-alpha of group CCl4 was superior to that of group C. It is suggested that the violent changes of immune-mediators including cAMP, cGMP, TNF-alpha and IL-2 etc induced by CCl4 may play an important role in the induction of liver injury in mice.

Animals↗