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Biomedical subjects

Ke-Feng Dou

Publications and source records attributed to Ke-Feng Dou.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Potential involvement of the cyclooxygenase-2 pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma-associated angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in tumor development and growth. The present study was carried out to investigate the potential involvement of the cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) pathway in the regulation of angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We inhibited Cox-2 expression in HCC cell line HuH-7 by selective Cox-2 inhibitor (SC-58635) or Cox-2 siRNA. Conditioned media (CMs) from HuH-7 cells were used in angiogenic assays in vitro and in vivo. Compared with CMs from untreated and negative siRNA treated HuH-7 cells, CMs from SC-58635 and Cox-2 siRNA treated HuH-7 dramatically suppressed the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro and neovascularization in vivo. These inhibitory effects could be partially reversed by the addition of exogenous PGE2 to CMs. Furthermore, Cox-2 inhibition by SC-58635 resulted in PGE2 reduction accompanied by the down-regulation of four PGE2 receptor (EP receptor) subtypes. Treatment with SC-58635 led to the down-expression of proangiogenic factors such as VEGF, HGF, FGF2, ANGPT1 and ANGPT2 in HCC. An approximately 78% reduction of VEGF level has been found in the CM from SC-58635 treated HuH-7. Our results suggest an involvement of Cox-2 in the control of HCC-associated angiogenesis. PGE2 as a vital angiogenic factor may act directly on endothelial cells to promote HuH-7-stimulated angiogenic process. Moreover, Cox-2/PGE2/EP/VEGF pathway possibly also contributes to tumor angiogenesis in HCC. This study provides the rationale for clinical studies of Cox-2 inhibitors on the treatment or chemoprevention of HCC.

Animals↗

Adenosine A(2b) receptor is highly expressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

High levels of adenosine accumulate in hypoxic tissues during the rapid growth of tumors, suggesting activation of adenosine receptors may facilitate tumor progress. The relevance of adenosine receptors to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in particular the adenosine A(2b) receptor (A(2b)), is not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to assess whether A(2b) was differentially expressed in normal and cancerous tissues and evaluate the clinicopathological correlation of A(2b) level in HCC. Expression of A(2b) in tumor cells was investigated by immunohistochemical staining. Protein analysis was done by Western blotting and evaluation of A(2b) mRNA expression levels utilized quantitative real-time PCR analysis of tissue samples of 64 hepatocellular carcinomas and in their paired adjacent normal tissues. Western blot data suggested that A(2b) was expressed predominantly in the cell membrane and cytoplasm of tumor cells and that the intensity of A(2b) protein expression was consistently higher in HCC than in adjacent normal tissues. Levels of A(2b) mRNA in HCC were significantly higher than in adjacent tissues, as measured by real-time PCR (P<0.001). With regard to venous invasion, satellite lesions and advanced pathologic Tumor-Node-Metastasis (pTNM) stage, the A(2b) level tended to be higher than that seen in negative cases (P<0.05). Our findings demonstrate that A(2b) expression is up-regulated in HCC, the expression level of A(2b) is correlated to tumor progression in HCC, and suggest that A(2b) may be a novel target for HCC therapeutic strategy.

Journal Article↗

Utility of adenovirus-mediated Fas ligand and bcl-2 gene transfer to modulate rat liver allograft survival.

BACKGROUND: Expression of Fas ligand (FasL) on the graft by gene transduction is expected to introduce apoptosis to lymphocytes to protect rejection, but the FasL-expressing graft cells may also induce apoptosis as the graft usually expresses Fas antigens. In this study, a strong antiapoptotic gene, bcl-2, was cotransfected with the FasL gene in rat liver graft to protect against Fas-mediated cell death and to prolong recipient survival. METHODS: Orthotopic liver transplantation was done in a strain combination of DA to LEW rats. After donor vascular isolation, adenovirus-mediated FasL and bcl-2 genes were cotransfected in the liver graft. RESULTS: Intragraft expression of FasL mRNA was constitutively expressed after adenovirus-mediated transduction, although expression of FasL increased mildly in control grafts. Bcl-2 mRNA was highly expressed at 2 days after reperfusion. In contrast, lower expression of bcl-2 was observed in the control group. The average survival of the gene transferred allografts increased from (9.8+1.3) days to (18.5+8.7) days compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that rat liver allografts can be protected against host immune responses by adenovirus-mediated FasL and bcl-2 transfection, and that bcl-2 expression prevents the graft from Fas-mediated apoptosis.

Adenoviridae↗

Expression of MUC1 and its significance in hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma tissue.

AIM: To investigate the relation between MUC1 expression, distribution, and prognosis in hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma (HCC and CC) and cirrhotic liver tissues, and their significance in HCC and CC diagnosis. METHODS: Expression and distribution of MUC1 were examined by immunohistochemical assay with anti-MUC1 mAb in 59 samples of HCC and 37 samples of CC, 20 samples of cirrhotic liver tissues, and 10 samples of normal liver tissues, seeking possible associations between MUC1 positive expression, distribution in HCC and CC (primary liver cancer, PLC) cases and the studied clinical data. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis of MUC1 expression showed that in the 96 PLC samples, 68 (70.8%) were strong positive, and 6 (6.2%) were weak positive. Only 4 in the 20 cirrhotic liver tissues were found to be weak positive, while no expression of MUC1 was detected in normal liver tissues. Apparently, the high expression rate of MUC1 in PLC tissues was statistically significant in comparison to that in cirrhotic and normal liver tissues. The expressed MUC1 protein, stained in dark brownish or brownish-yellow particles, chiefly localized on the cancer cell membranes or in cytoplasm. In the 68 strong positive samples, 40 were detected on cell membrane and the other 28 were in cytoplasm. In addition, follow-up studies of those PLC cases demonstrated that MUC1 expression on cell membrane or in cytoplasm was closely associated with PLC prognosis. The expression of MUC1 in PLC had little statistical significance in respect of the pathological types and sizes of the tumors, but a strong relationship regarding histological differentiation, metastasis of lymph nodes, portal canal emboli, and post-operational recurrence of the carcinomas. After 3 years of tumor excision, the metastasis rate in MUC1 positive expression group (67.6%) was much higher than that in MUC1 weak expression group (33.3%) and negative expression group (31.8%), and thus the survival rate in MUC1-positive expression group was significantly different from that in weak and negative expression groups. CONCLUSION: Expression and localization of MUC1 proteins in primary liver carcinomas (PLCs) may act as prognostic markers, and MUC1 molecules might be helpful in differential diagnosis.

Adult↗

Protective effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha antibody and ulinastatin on liver ischemic reperfusion in rats.

AIM: To study the protective effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) antibody and ulinastatin on liver ischemic reperfusion in rats. METHODS: One hundred and twenty male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, ischemic group, TNF alpha antibody group and TNF alpha antibody + ulinastatin group. The animals were killed at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 h after ischemia for 60 min and followed by reperfusion. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and liver histopathology were observed. RESULTS: After ischemic reperfusion, the serum ALT and MDA were remarkably increased, and the hepatic congestion was obvious. Treatment of TNF alpha antibody and ulinastatin could significantly decrease serum ALT and MDA levels, and relieve hepatic congestion. CONCLUSION: Ulinastatin and TNF alpha antibody can suppress the inflammatory reaction induced by hepatic ischemic reperfusion, and have protective effects on rat hepatic ischemic reperfusion injury.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Autocrine expression of hepatocyte growth factor and its cytoprotective effect on hepatocyte poisoning.

AIM: To construct pEGFP-hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) expression vector, the to detect its expression in transfected human hepatocytes, and to investigate the influence of autocrine HGF expression on the proliferative potential and cytoprotective effects in human hepatocytes. METHODS: Human HGF cDNA was ligated to the pEGFP vector. Recombinant plasmid was transfected into human hepatocyte line QZG with liposome. Expression of HGF protein was observed by fluorescence microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Hepatic cells were collected 24, 48, and 72 h after transfection to detect the number of ((3)H)-TdR uptake in DNA. DNA synthesis was observed by using PCNA stain immunohistochemistry. Acute liver cell damage was induced by carbon tetrachloride. Cytoprotective effect was observed by examining the survival rate of hepatocytes and leakage of intracellular alanine transaminase (ALT) and potassium ions. RESULTS: HGF identification of pEGFP-HGF by enzyme digestion showed that HGF fragment was cloned into BamH I and Sal I sites of pEGFP-N3. Expression of GFP in transfected hepatocytes was observed with fluorescence microscopy. The ((3)H)-TdR uptake became 7 times as many as in the control group 96 h after transfection. After HGF transfection, the survival rate of hepatocytes poisoned by CCl(4) significantly increased (83% vs 61%, P<0.05), and the leakage of intracellular alanine transaminase and potassium ions decreased (586 nkat/L vs 1 089 nkat/L, P<0.01; and 5.59 mmol/L vs 6.02 mmol/L, P<0.01 respectively). Culture of transfected hepatic cells promoted the proliferation of other non-transfected cells. CONCLUSION: Transfected HGF is expressed in hepatic cells and has the activity of promoting cell division and protecting hepatic cells against poisoning.

Cell Division↗

Tumor necrosis factor alpha antibody prevents brain damage of rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

AIM: To study the protective effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) antibody on pancreatic encephalopathy in rats. METHODS: One hundred and twenty SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, acute necrotizing pancreatitis group and TNFalpha antibody treated group. Acute hemorrhage necrotizing pancreatitis model in rats was induced by retrograde injection of 50 g/L sodium taurocholate into the pancreatobiliary duct. Serum TNFalpha was detected and animals were killed 12 h after drug administration. Changes in content of brain water, MDA and SOD as well as leucocyte adhesion of brain microvessels were measured. RESULTS: In TNFalpha antibody treated group, serum TNFalpha level was decreased. Content of brain water, MDA and SOD as well as leucocyte adhesion were decreased significantly in comparison with those of acute necrotizing pancreatitis group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: TNFalpha antibody can alleviate the brain damage of rats with acute hemorrhage necrotizing pancreatitis.

Animals↗

Relationship between urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor and vascular endothelial growth factor expression and metastasis of gallbladder cancer.

AIM: To investigate the relationship of urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression with clinical and pathological characteristics of human gallbladder cancer. METHODS: uPAR and VEGF expressions in 68 gallbladder cancer tissues were detected with anti-receptor immunohistochemical stain. RESULTS: Expression rate of uPAR was 57.4% (39/68), and VEGF 51.5% (35/68) in gallbladder cancer tissues. Expression of both uPAR and VEGF was significantly related to metastasis, but not significantly correlated with differentiation stage and size of gallbladder cancer. CONCLUSION: Expression of uPAR and VEGF may be an invasive phenotype of gallbladder cancer and indicator for predicting prognoses, and uPAR expression is significantly correlated with the expression of VEGF.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Expression of angiostatin cDNA in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 and its effect on implanted carcinoma in nude mice.

AIM: To transfect murine angiostatin cDNA into human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 and to investigate its effects on implanted carcinoma in nude mice. METHODS: A eukaryotic expression vector of pcDNA3.1-mAST containing murine angiostatin was constructed. Then pcDNA3.1-mAST plasmid was transfected into cell line SMMC-7721 by Lipofectamine. The resistant clone was screened by G418 filtration and identified by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Nude mice were divided into three groups of 10 each. Mice in blank control group were only injected with SMMC-7721 cells. Mice in vector control group were injected with SMMC-7721 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1 (+) vector, whereas mice in angiostatin group were injected with SMMC-7721 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-mAST plasmid. Volume, mass and microvessel density (MVD) of the tumors in different groups were measured and compared. RESULTS: Murine angiostatin cDNA was successfully cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1 (+). pcDNA3.1-mAST was successfully transfected into SMMC-7721 cell line and showed stable expression in this cell line. No significant difference was observed in the growth speed of SMMC-7721 cells between groups transfected with and without angiostatin cDNA. Tumor volume, mass and MVD in the angiostatin group were significantly lower than those in the blank control group and vector control group (P<0.01). The inhibitory rate of tumor reached 78.6%. Mass and MVD of the tumors only accounted for 34.6% and 48.9% respectively of those in the blank control group. CONCLUSION: Angiostatin cDNA could be stably expressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 without obvious inhibitory effects on the growth of SMMC-7721 cells. When implanted into nude mice, SMMC-7721 cells transfected with angiostatin cDNA show a decreased tumorigenic capability. It suggests that angiostatin can inhibit tumor growth through its inhibition on angiogenesis in tumors.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

Enhancement of migration and invasion of hepatoma cells via a Rho GTPase signaling pathway.

AIM: Intrahepatic extension is the main cause of liver failure and death in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. The small GTPase Rho and one of its effector molecules ROCK regulate cytoskeleton and actomyosin contractility, and play a crucial role in cell adhesion and motility. We investigated the role of small GTPase Rho in biological behaviors of hepatocellular carcinoma to demonstrate the importance of Rho in cancer invasion and metastasis. METHODS: Using Western blotting, we quantitated Rho protein expression in SMMC-7721 cells induced by Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). Furthermore, we examined the role of Rho signaling in regulating the motile and invasive properties of tumor cells. RESULTS: Rho protein expression was stimulated by LPA. Using the Rhotekin binding assay to assess Rho activation, we observed that the level of GTP-bound Rho was elevated transiently after the addition of LPA, and Y-27632 decreased the level of active Rho. LPA enhanced the motility of tumor cells and facilitated their invasion. Rho played an essential role in the migratory process, as evidenced by the inhibition of migration and motility of cancer cells by a specific inhibitor of ROCK, Y-27632. CONCLUSION: The finding that invasiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma is facilitated by the Rho/Rho-kinase pathway is likely to be relevant to tumor progression and Y-27632 may be a new potential effective agent for the prevention of intrahepatic extension of human liver cancer.

Amides↗

Influence of intrauterine injection of rat fetal hepatocytes on rejection of rat liver transplantation.

AIM: To investigate the influence of immune tolerance induced by intrauterine exposure to fetal hepatocytes on liver transplantation in the adult rat. METHODS: LOU/CN rat fetal hepatocytes were injected into the fetuses of pregnant CHN rats (14-16 days of gestation). At 7-9 weeks of age, the surviving male rats received orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) from male LOU/CN donors and the survival period was observed and monitered by mixed lymphocyte reaction assay and cytotoxicity test. RESULTS: (1) A total of 31 pregnant CHN rats with 172 fetuses received fetal hepatocytes from LOU/CN rats via intrauterine injection. Among them, thirteen pregnant rats showed normal parturition, with 74 neonatal rats growing up normally. (2) The mean survival period after OLT in rats with fetal exposure to fetal hepatocytes was 32.1+/-3.7 days, which was significantly different from the control (11.8+/-2.3 days, P<0.01) in rats without fetal induction of immune tolerance. (3) Mixed lymphocyte proliferation assays yielded remarkable discrepancies between the groups of rats with- or without fetal exposure to fetal hepatocytes, with values of 8,411+/-1,361 and 22,473+/-1,856 (CPM+/-SD, P<0.01) respectively. (4) Cytotoxicity assays showed values of 21.2+/-6.5 % and 64.5+/-7.2 % (P<0.01) in adult rats with or without fetal induction of immune tolerance. CONCLUSION: Intrauterine injection of fetal hepatocytes into rat fetuses can prolong the survival period of liver transplant adult male rats recipients, inducting immune tolerance in OLT.

Animals↗

Hepatocellular apoptosis after hepatectomy in obstructive jaundice in rats.

AIM: To investigate the hepatocellular apoptosis after hepatectomy in obstructive jaundice and biliary decompression rats. METHODS: After bile duct ligation for 7 days, rats were randomly divided into OB group in which the rats underwent 70% hepatectomy, OB-CD group in which the rats underwent hepatectomy accompanied by choledochoduodenostomy, CD-Hx group in which the rats underwent choledochoduodenostomy and then received 70% hepatectomy on the fifth day after biliary decompression. The control group (Hx group) only underwent hepatectomy. RESULTS: The level of total serum bilirubin and serum enzymes was significantly lower in CD-Hx group than in OB-CD and OB groups on day 1, 3 and 5 after hepatectomy. The apoptotic index was significantly lower in CD-Hx group than in OB-CD and OB groups on day 3 and 5. The oligonucleosomal DNA fragments and Caspase-3 activity were also lower in CD-Hx group than in OB-CD and OB groups 3 days after hepatectomy, without differences between CD-Hx and Hx groups. CONCLUSION: Hepatocellular apoptosis plays vital roles in jaundice rats, and biliary decompression is more effective in treatment of patients with severe jaundice before operation.

Animals↗

Influence of liver nonparenchymal cell infusion combined with cyclosporin A on rejection of rat small bowel transplantation.

AIM: To investigate the effect of liver nonparenchymal cell infusion combined with cyclosporin A (CsA) on rejection of heterostrain rat small bowel transplantation. METHODS: The liver nonparenchymal cell suspension was prepared by density gradient centrifugation method with Percoll centrifugal solution. Heterotopic small bowel transplantation was performed. Then the rats were divided into four groups. Group one: homogenic transplantation (F344/N-F344/N), group two: allotransplantation (F344/N-Wistar), group three: allotransplantation (F344/N-Wistar) + CsA, with CsA 10 mg/kg(-1)/d(-1) after transplantation, group four: allotransplantation + CsA (F344/N-Wistar) + liver nonparenchymal cell infusion + CsA (F344/N-Wistar), in which recipient Wistar rats had been injected with 2x10(8) F344/N liver nonparenchymal cells 20 days before transplantation, and treated with CsA after transplantation. Finally, the survival time after small bowel transplantation, gross and histopathological examination, and IL-2 levels in serum were observed. RESULTS: The survival time after small bowel transplantation was 7.14 +/- 0.33 d, 16.32 +/- 0.41 d and 31.41 +/- 0.74 d in group 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The survival time was significant longer (P<0.01) in group 4. The gross and histopathological examination showed that the rejection degree in group 4 was lower than those in groups 2 and 3. Serum IL-2 level in group 4 was also lower than those in groups 2 and 3 (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Liver nonparenchymal cell infusion combined with CsA can prolong the survival time of rat small bowel transplantation, and the anti-rejection effect is good.

Animals↗

Expression of PCNA and CD44mRNA in colorectal cancer with venous invasion and its relationship to liver metastasis.

AIM: To investigate the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and CD44mRNA in colorectal cancer with venous invasion and its relationship with liver metastasis. METHODS: Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of PCNA and CD44mRNA in 31 cases of colorectal cancer with venous invasion. RESULTS: Positive expression rates of PCNA and CD44mRNA in colorectal cancer were higher than those without liver metastasis (P<0.05 and P<0.01). In case of colorectal cancer with liver metastasis, strongly positive rates of PCNA and CD44mRNA were 94.1% and 70.6%, respectively, significantly higher than those without liver metastasis. There was a positive relationship between the expressions of PCNA and CD44mRNA (r=0.67, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Detection of PCNA and CD44mRNA expression in colorectal cancer may be useful for evaluating liver metastasis of cancer cells.

Antigens, CD↗

Expression of NGF family and their receptors in gastric carcinoma: a cDNA microarray study.

AIM: To investigate the expression of NGF family and their receptors in gastric carcinoma and normal gastric mucosa, and to elucidate their effects on gastric carcinoma. METHODS: RNA of gastric cancer tissues and normal gastric tissues was respectively isolated and mRNA was purified. Probes of both mRNA reverse transcription product cDNAs labeled with alpha-(33)P dATP were respectively hybridized with Atlas Array membrane where NGF and their family genes were spotted on. Hybridized signal images were scanned on phosphor screen with ImageQuant 5.1 software after hybridization. Normalized values on spots were analyzed with ArrayVersion 5.0 software. Differential expression of NGF family and their receptors mRNA was confirmed between hybridized Atlas Array membranes of gastric cancer tissues and normal gastric mucosa, then their effects on gastric carcinoma were investigated. RESULTS: Hybridization signal images on Atlas Array membrane appeared in a lower level of nonspecific hybridization. Both of NGF family and their receptors Trk family mRNA were expressed in gastric cancer and normal gastric mucosa. But adversely up-regulated expression in other tissues and organs. NGF, BDGF, NT-3, NT-4/5, NT-6 and TrkA, B and C were down-regulated simultaneously in gastric carcinoma in comparison with normal gastric mucosa. Degrees of down-regulation in NGF family were greater than those in their receptors Trk family. Down-regulation of NT-3 and BDGF was the most significant, and TrkC down-regulation level was the lowest in receptors Trk family. CONCLUSION: Down-regulated expression of NGF family and their receptors Trk family mRNA in gastric cancer is confirmed. NGF family and their receptors Trk family probably play a unique role in gastric cancer cell apoptosis by a novel Ras or Raf signal transduction pathway. Their synchronous effects are closely associated with occurrence and development of gastric carcinoma induced by reduction of signal transduction of programmed cell death.

Carcinoma↗

cDNA suppression subtraction library for screening down-regulated genes in gastric carcinoma.

AIM: To establish cDNA suppression subtraction library with a high subtraction efficiency by counterpart normal gastric mucosa mixture mRNA subtracting gastric cancer cells mixture mRNA for screening down-regulated genes in gastric carcinoma. METHODS: RNA of gastric cancer tissues and counterpart normal gastric mucosa were respectively isolated in five patients with gastric cancer, and their mRNA was purified. cDNA suppression subtraction library was established by counterpart normal gastric mucosa mixture mRNA (tester) subtracting gastric cancer tissues mixture mRNA (driver) of five patients with gastric carcinoma. The library plasmids were transformed into competent bacteria DH5a after ligation of the library cDNA fragments with T vectors. Library plasmids were extracted after picking colonies and shaking bacteria overnight. Its subtraction efficiency was confirmed by PCR and reverse hybridization of a nylon filter onto which the colonies of bacteria were transferred with probes of reverse transcription products cDNA of gastric cancer tissues mRNA and counterpart normal gastric mucosa mRNA labeled with alpha- (32)P dCTP. RESULTS: mRNA purified from total RNA of gastric cancer tissues and counterpart normal gastric mucosa in five patients with gastric carcinoma revealed a good quality. cDNA suppression subtraction library constructed for screening down-regulated genes in gastric carcinoma represented a high subtraction efficiency. 86 % of differential expression in down-regulated genes between counterpart normal gastric mucosa and gastric carcinoma was confirmed. CONCLUSION: cDNA suppression subtraction library with a high subtraction efficiency for screening down-regulated genes in gastric carcinoma is successfully established.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Argon supper-cryosurgery for patients with middle and late stage liver cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of argon supper-cryosurgery for 42 patients with middle and late stage liver cancer. METHODS: Forty-two patients who had received argon supper-cryosurgery were analyzed retrospectively in terms of their clinical characteristics as well as the performance of argon supper-cryosurgery. RESULTS: All patients were ameliorated in symptoms shortly after the operation, including pain alleviation, psyche straightening up, alpha-fetoprotein descending or recovery. Jaundice occurred in 1 patient and intraabdominal hemorrhage in 2. The levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase in all patients were elevated 1 month after the operation, and normalized after protective therapy of the liver. No operative death was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Cold and heat reversed therapy of argon supper-cryosurgery can drastically destroy tumor tissue, especially the tumors which are too large to resect or close to the large vessels. It is applicable to increase the operative rate, decrease the operative death rate, and enlarge the therapeutic scope.

Adult↗

A rat model for acute hepatic failure.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a surgical model of acute hepatic failure. METHODS: Hepatectomy was performed in rats according to the method described by Higgins and Anderson. Ninety percent liver resection (removing the left lateral, median, and right lateral lobes) (n=7) and 95% liver resection leaving only half of the caudate lobe (n=13) were performed. Hypoglycemia was corrected by giving 20% glucose in the drinking water, coupled with repeated intraperitoneal injection of 5% glucose adapted to glycemia. While the survival rate, alanine transaminase (ALT) and bilirubin were observed. RESULTS: 95% liver resection decreased survival rates of the rats from 86% (90% liver resection) to 23% (P<0.05), and increased bilirubin levels (4.04+/-2.84 mg/dL vs. 1.25+/-1.85 mg/dL [90% liver resection]). CONCLUSION: 95% liver resection is a good rat model for acute hepatic failure.

Alanine Transaminase↗