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Results for “Colorimetry”

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At least 973 records · Page 54Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

[Regulatory effects on apoptotic activities of gastric cancer cell line by over-expression of Smac gene].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of overexpression of second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (Smac) gene on apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. METHODS: Under the induction of liposome, MKN-45 cells were transfected by Smac gene and incubated with G418 for subclone selection. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to determine cellular Smac gene expression. After induction of apoptosis by mitomycin (MMC), cell viabilities were analyzed using trypan blue stain. Apoptosis was measured by electronic microscopy, acridine orange-ethidium bromide fluorescent staining and in situ terminally labelled transferase technique (TUNEL). Western blot and colorimetry were used to assess cellular caspase-3 expression and its activity. RESULTS: The Smac mRNA and protein levels in MKN-45/Smac subclone cells (subclone consistently expressing Smac gene) were significantly higher than those in MKN-45 (P < 0.01). When compared with those in MKN-45, cell viabilities of MKN-45/Smac were reduced by 10.0% to 30.8% (P < 0.01), after treatment with 10 microg/ml MMC for 6 to 24 hours. Some of the MKN-45/Smac cells showed characteristic morphologic changes of apoptosis, their apoptotic rate being increased by 21.2% (P < 0.01). After treatment with MMC, caspase-3 expression and its activity in MKN-45/Smac cells were significantly higher than those in MKN-45 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Overexpression of Smac in gastric cancer cell line significantly improves expression and activity levels of caspase-3 after induction by MMC. Such apoptosis-inducing effect establishes a novel strategy for regulating the apoptosis activity of gastric cancer.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2004

[The effect of ultrasonication on immuno-modulating activity of mycelial polysaccharide from Cordyceps gunnii].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate immuno-modulating activity change after mycelial polysaccharide from Cordyceps gunnii (MPCG) was depolymerized by ultrasonication. METHODS: The effects of MPCG and its depolymerizing mixture on mice spleen lymphocytes proliferation, mice peritoneal macrophage (PMphi) phagocytosis and cytotoxin T lymphocytes (CTL) activity were studied by MTT method, neutral red colorimetry, respectively. RESULTS: In vitro, MPCG depolymerized by ultrasonication could more significantly inhibite spleen lymphocytes proliferation, PMphi phagocytosis of neutral red and CTL activity in mice than MPCG, in particular at doses of 10 microg/ml and 100 microg/ml. Whereas, four kinds of depolymerized mixture depolymerized for 1h to 2h and 4h to 8h by ultrasonication, respectively, had not evident differences at three various doses. CONCLUSION: MPCG was suitable for depolymerizing for 1h to 2h and its depolymerized mixture had stronger immuno-modulating activity than MPCG.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[The effect of cell killing and apoptosis by human herpes simplex virus- thymidine kinase/ganciclovir system combined with allitride in BIU87 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the killing effect of human herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV-TK/GCV) system combined with allitride and the possible apoptosis mechanism in BIU87 cells. METHODS: The cytotoxicity after combination were estimated by theamine blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT). The morphological changes were observed with inverted microscope and in-situ cell apoptosis detection kit. Changes of apoptosis rate and cell cycle were assessed by flow cytometry. B-cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2), bax, caspase-3 (cysteine aspartate specific proteinase) mRNA changes were detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and caspase-3 activity was estimated with colorimetry. RESULTS: For combination group, the cell killing rate was raised to 72.50% to compare with 35.00% of GCV and 37.00% of allitride separately and there was a synergistic effect between these two drugs. The cell apoptosis was induced in all three groups and for the combination group the time of S-phase and G(2)-phase arrest were earlier than other two groups. Both drugs could inhibit the expression of bcl-2 and promote the expression and activity of caspase-3. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of HSV-TK/GCV system with allitride can inhibit the proliferation of BIU87 cells congenerously through apoptosis, which may be correlated with S- and G(2)-phase arrest, down-regulation of bcl-2 and increased caspase-3 expression and its activity.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2005

[Therapeutic effects of RNA interference targeting HIF-1 alpha gene on human osteosarcoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibition effect of the small hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting HIF-1alpha gene on the growth of osteosarcoma in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: The small hairpin RNA (shRNA) eukaryotic expression vector targeting HIF-1alpha gene, named pSilencer-HIF, was constructed and transfected into cultured human osteosarcoma cell of line SaOS-2 via liposome reagent. Then the osteosarcoma cells were cultured under chemical hypoxia conditions. The inhibition effects on HIF-1alpha gene were determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR and Western blot analysis. The in vitro cellular growth activities were assayed by MTT colorimetry. The cell apoptosis was studied by electron microscopy, TUNEL assay, and annexin V/PI double staining. Eighteen Balb/C mice were randomly divided into 3 equal groups to be inoculated with SaOS-2/shRNA, SaOS-2/neo (blank vector), or SaOS-2 subcutaneously respectively and then the appearance and size of tumors were observed. Four weeks later the mice were killed and the volumes of tumor were calculated so as to evaluate the therapeutic effects of shRNA. RESULTS: The successful construction of pSilencer-HIF plasmid was identified with sequencing. After the shRNA expression vector was transfected into the SaOS-2 cells, the expression of HIF-1alpha gene was inhibited significantly (by 90%). The cellular growth activities in the SaOS-2 cells transfected with pSilencer-HIF plasmid decreased obviously in hypoxia culture. After 72 hours of exposure to hypoxia, electron microscopy and TUNEL assay showed classic apoptosis characters in the SaOS-2 cells transfected with pSilencer-HIF plasmid with an apoptosis rate of 18.71% +/- 0.98%, significantly higher than those in the negative control group transfected with pSilencer-neo and in the nontransfected group (both P < 0.01). The growth speed and formation rate of xenograft tumor in pSilencer-HIF transfected mice slowed down significantly. A lot of necrotic tissues could be observed in the pSilencer-HIF transfected group by HE staining, however, there was no similar inhibitive effect in the control groups. CONCLUSION: shRNA targeting HIF-1alpha gene blocks the hypoxia transduction pathway efficiently and inhibits the growth of osteosarcoma cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Expression and purification of rat betacellulin with biological activity].

AIM: To obtain recombinant rat betacellulin with biological activity. METHODS: A 534 bp of rat betacellulin gene fragment was amplified by RT-PCR from rat kidney and cloned into pET28a(+) vector to construct recombinant plasmid pET28a-rBTC. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into E. coli BL-21(DE3) and the betacellulin was expressed under IPTG induction. The expressed betacellulin was detected by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The expressed protein was purified by Ni(2+) affinity chromatography and then renatured by dialysis. The effect of the renatured protein on proliferation of NIH3T3 cells was detected by MTT colorimetry. RESULTS: Rat betacellulin protein with M(r) being 20 000 was expressed under IPTG induction. The purity of purified protein reached over 96%. After renaturation, the expressed protein could significantly stimulate the proliferation of NIH3T3 cells. CONCLUSION: Rat betacellulin gene is successfully cloned into the expression vector pET28a(+) and highly expressed in E.coli. Purified and refolded betacellulin protein can obviously stimulate the proliferation of NIH3T3 cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Synergistic role between rhIL-2 and adriamycin long circulating temperature-sensitive liposome in targeting therapy on tumor].

AIM: To observe the synergistic role between rhIL-2 and adriamycin long circulating temperature-sensitive liposome (ALTSL) in targeting therapy of H22 tumor-bearing mice and explore their anti-tumor mechanism. METHODS: The antitumor activity was evaluated by using the tumor's weight as an index. The prolongation rate of mouse life was calculated according to the survival time of the tumor-bearing mice. The killer activity of NK cells and the lymphocyte transformation rate were detected by the LDH and MTT colorimetry, respectively. The apoptosis of tumor cells and the expression of p53, Fas, Fas-L and Caspase-3 were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). The expression of IL-2 mRNA and IL-12 mRNA in splenocytes was determined by RT-PCR. The pathologic changes of tumor, heart, liver and kidney tissues of the tumor-bearing mice were observed under light microscope. RESULTS: The tumoristatic rate of rhIL-2+ALTSL (73.5%) was higher than that of adriamycin liposome (ADML) group (67.0%). The survival time of tumor-bearing mice in ALTSL and rhIL-2+ALTSL groups was significantly extended as compared with the NS group (treated with normal saline) and the free ADM group (P <0.01 or P <0.05). The killer activities of NK cells of ALTSL group and rhIL-2+ALTSL group were higher than those of the NS and free ADM groups, and was highest in rhIL-2+ALTSL group. The lymphocyte transformation rate of ALTSL+rhIL-2 group markedly increased ( P <0.01) as compared with the free ADM group. The result of RT-PCR indicated that the expression of IL-2 mRNA and IL-12 mRNA in splenocytes in the adriamycin long circulating liposome (ALCL) group was significantly higher than that in the free ADM group. The enhancement of rhIL-2+ALTSL on expression of IL-2 mRNA and IL-12 mRNA was much stronger than that of ALTSL alone. The pathological examination indicated that in rhIL-2+ALTSL group, the tumor cells were mostly destroyed, and a large amount of lymphocytes and monocytes were found in tumor tissue. CONCLUSION: ALTSL can increase the anti-tumor effect and decreased the side-effects (such as the cytotoxicity) of ADM. rhIL-2+ALTSL can induce the apoptosis of tumor cells and enhance killer activities of T cells and NK cells. rhIL-2 and ALTSL can synergistically play the antitumor effect.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[One-step purification of monoclonal antibody against gp130 by cation exchange liquid chromatography].

AIM: To develop a one-step purification method of anti-gp130 monoclonal antibody (mAb) B-S12 from mouse ascites. METHODS: After filtrated by centrifugation, the ascites sample was loaded on a cation exchange column and purified by using ion-strength gradient elution buffer. The effects of pH of the loading buffer and ion strength gradients of the elution buffer on the purity of antibody obtained were investigated. The antibody's biological activity was tested by MTT colorimetry. RESULTS: It was shown that the mAb B-S12 with a purity of over 90% could be achieved by using 20 mmol/L HEPES buffer (pH 4.0) as loading buffer and 0-1.0 mol/L NaCl as elution buffer. The total recovery rate of the mAb was 52%. The purified antibody could stimulate the proliferation of XG-2 cell line. CONCLUSION: The established one-step purification method was simple and suitable for purification of mAb B-S12.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Effect of koumine on proliferation of murine CD4+ T cells purified by magnetic-activated cell sorting in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the separation efficiency of magnetic-activated cell sorting in the purification of CD4+ T cells from murine spleen, and observe the effects of koumine on the proliferation of the separated cells. METHODS: CD4+ T cells were isolated from murine spleen by magnetic-activated cell sorting (MiniMACS). Fluorescence-activated cell sortering was employed to determine the purity of CD4+ T cells before and after the separation procedure followed by evaluation of the cell viability using trypan blue staining. Concanavalin A- (ConA, 5 microg/ml) or phytahematoagglutinin (PHA,1 mg/ml)-induced murine T cells were treated with different concentrations of koumine (10-320 microg/ml), and their proliferation was determined by MTT colorimetry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure IL-2 level in the cell culture supernatant. RESULTS: The purity of CD4+ T cells reached (90.3+/-5.8)% after the purification with a cell viability of (94.9+/-3.6)%. Koumine (20-320 microg/ml) dose-dependently inhibited ConA- or PHA-induced proliferation of murine lymphocytes as compared with the controls (P<0.05). Koumine (20, 100, and 200 microg/ml) significantly decreased the level of IL-2 in comparison with the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CD4+ T cells of high purity can be obtained from murine spleen using MiniMACS without impairing the viability of the cells. Koumine significantly inhibits the proliferation of murine CD4+ T cells due to its immunosuppressive effect and inhibition of IL-2 secretion.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[The experimental study of effect of pressure on rat retinal Muller cell in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of morphology, activity and ability of metabolizing glutamate in Muller cell and investigate the role of Muller cell in the damage induced by glaucoma. METHOD: Cultured Muller cells were divided into two groups at random, one was control group without any treatment, in the experimental group the cells were cultured under pressure of 50 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) for 1 hour, after 3 days additional incubation, the morphology of the cells in two groups was observed by inverse phase microscope and electron microscope, the cells survival were evaluated by MTT colorimetry assay and the expression of mRNA of glutamine synthetase was semi-quantified by RT-PCR. RESULT: No obvious morphology changes were found by inverse phase microscope in the two groups, swelling mitochondrion and Vacuoles in cytoplasm were found in pressured group by electron microscope; the numbers of MTT reading and the mRNA expression in the cells under pressure were decreased, the differences was statistic significance compared with control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Morphology changes were found in the cells under pressure, and the ability of metabolizing glutamate was decreased, which may be one of the reasons of the elevated level of glutamate in the vitreous of glaucoma patients.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Effects of cinnabar and realgar in angong niuhuang powder on lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzymes in rats with infectious cerebral edema].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the pharmacologic mechanism of cinnabar (CA) and realgar (RG) in Angong Niuhuang powder (ANP) by way of studying the characteristics of their effects on organism under physiologic and pathologic states. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into six groups, 8-10 rats in each group. Group A: untreated normal rats; Group B: normal rats administered by ANP (drug I) 278 mg/kg; Group C: normal rats administered by ANP subtracted CA and RG (drug II) 222.7 mg/kg; Group D: brain edema model rats established by unilateral common carotid artery injection of Bacillus pertussis 250 million/kg; Group E: model rats administered by ANP 278 mg/kg 1 hr before modeling; Group F: model rats administered by drug II 222.7 mg 1 hr before modeling. Blood sample and brain tissue in Group D were obtained 4 hrs after modeling and those in other groups obtained 5 hrs after drug administration. The total activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum and brain tissue was determined by colorimetry and that of serum LDH isoenzymes (LDH(1-5)) were determined by gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: As compared with Group A, LDH, LDH1 and LDH2 activities increased in Group D (P < 0.01), and increased also in Group B and C (P < 0.05), while LDH4 and LDH5 decreased obviously in Group B and C. But except that of LDH5, no significant difference of LDH(1-4) in brain tissue and serum was shown in comparison of Group B and C. As compared with Group D, LDH was lower (P < 0.01) and LDH5 was higher (P < 0.01) in Group E and F without significant difference, LDH2, LDH3 were lower in Group E (P < 0.01) but unchanged in Group F, LDH1 and LDH4 were not changed in Group E but significantly lowered in Group F (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Administration of ANP in normal physiologic condition would cause damage on myocardium and kidney to certain extent, administration of ANP and drug II in pathologic (infectious brain edema) would suppress the hyper-activated LDH, with no significant difference between the effects of drug II and ANP. However, CA and RA in ANP are proven to have influence on the serum LDH isoenzymes, indicating that the two ingredients may have some potential pharmacological effects.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[The study on the relationship between the tumor-like proliferation of synoviocytes and the expression of c-myc and ODC genes in adjuvant arthritis rats].

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of the tumor-like proliferation of synoviocytes in adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, AA group and control group. Freund's complete adjuvant was injected into AA group rats to induce adjuvant arthritis. The knee synovial tissues of the rats were taken and synoviocytes were separated and cultured in vitro. The proliferation of cultured synoviocytes was measured by MTT colorimetry. Meanwhile, the mRNAs of C-myc and ODC genes in synovial tissues of the rats were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: (1)Synoviocytes of AA rats proliferated more markedly than those of control rats (P<0.01), and exhibited a tumor-like proliferation. (2)The mRNAs of C-myc and ODC genes were obviously higher in synovial tissues of AA rats than those of control rats. CONCLUSION: The tumor-like proliferation of synoviocytes from AA rat joint might be related to the increased mRNAs of C-myc and ODC genes.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Expression and genetic immunization of hantaan virus G2 recombinant adenovirus].

AIM: To express hantaan virus(HTNV) envelope glycoprotein G(2) recombinant adenovirus(Adeno-G(2)) in vero E6 cells and explore its property of inducing immune response. METHODS: Vero E6 cells were infected with the HTNV Adeno-G(2) (100 MOI). The expression of Adeno-G(2) in the infected Vero E6 cells was detected by IFA. BALB/c mice were immunized with HTNV Adeno-G(2), then the immune response to Adeno-G(2) was tested by ELISA, microcell-culture neutralizing experiment and lymphocyte proliferation test (MTT colorimetry). RESULTS: IFA detection showed the expression of Adeno-G(2) in the infected Vero E6 cells. The titer of specific antibody was 1:40; The low-titer neutralization antibody was also detected. But the lymphocyte proliferation reaction was not notable. CONCLUSION: The HTNV Adeno-G(2) can stimulate BALB/c mice to develop specific humoral immune response instead of specific cell-mediated immunity. This study provides the experimental basis for the development of gene engineering vaccine of HFRS.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed2005

[Induction of specific immunity against tumor endothelial cells by dendritic cells in vitro].

AIM: To study the specific cytotoxicity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes(CTLs) induced by dendritic cells(DCs) loaded with tumor-derived endothelial cells (Td-ECs) antigen. METHODS: Td-ECs were generated from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by induction with cultured supernatants of tumor cells. The expression of tumor endothelial marker(TEM) was detected by RT-PCR. Human peripheral blood monocyte-derived DCs were loaded with Td-EC freeze-thawing antigen, and the autologous stimulation capacity of DCs was determined via mixed lymphocytes reaction employing MTS colorimetry. Specific cytolytic activity of CTLs induced by DCs was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) assay. RESULTS: TEM1 and TEM8 were detected only on Td-ECs. DCs loaded with Td-EC antigen stimulated lymphocytes proliferation significantly. CTLs induced by DCs loaded with Td-EC antigen showed higher cytolytic activity against Td-EC than that of the control groups (33% vs 14% at E/T ratio 20, 27% vs 10% at E/T ratio 10). CONCLUSION: DC loaded with Td-EC antigen can effectively induce specific CTLs against Td-ECs in vitro.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMed2005

[Effects of LbGp on the intracellular free calcium concentration of cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia and KCl].

OBJECTIVE: Hypoxia/KCl injury model in the cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (CMs) was established to investigate the protective effect of Lycium barbanun Glycopeptide (LbGp) on calcium overload. METHOD: Cultured neonatal rat CMs were divided into three groups, namely normal control, hypoxia groups and LbGp-treated group. CMs in LbGp-treated group and hypxia group were cultured in an incubator ventilated with 95% N2 and 5% CO2 with or without LbGP. CMs viability under hypoxia was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide colorimetry (MTT). The intracellular free calcium concentration in cardiomyocytes was measured by laser confocal microscope with Fura-3/AM as a calcium indicator. The protective effects of LbGp on the CMs treated by KCl (60 mmol x L(-1)) was observed. RESULT: As compared with normal controls, the degree of MTT metabolism was significantly reduced (P < 0.01) in hypoxic group and slightly reduced in LbGp (P < 0.05). Hypoxia-induced enhancement of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) was attenuated by LbGp significantly (P < 0.01). Moreover, KCl-induced enhancement of [Ca2+]i was also reduced by LbGp at the doses of 25, 50, 100 microg x mL(-1) in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: The result suggested that LbGp is able to increase the survival ratio and inhibit the enhancement of the intracellular free calcium concentration in cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia and high potassium. One of the mechanisms is that LbGp acts on L-type calcium channels.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Inhibitory effect of ginkgolide B on angiogenesis in chronic inflammation].

AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effect of ginkgolide B on angiogenesis in chronic inflammation and the possible mechanisms. METHODS: The murine chronic granulomatous air pouch model was used to observe the anti-angiogenesis effect of ginkgolide B. The vascular index was determined by colorimetry of carminic acid, and angiogenesis was observed by histology method. The interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) levels in mice serum and in supernatants of U937 cell culture stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) were detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in mice serum and in supernatant of U937 cell culture were measured by cytotoxicity bioassay. The mRNA expression of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha of U937 cell culture was investigated by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Oral administration of ginkgolide B 25 and 100 mg x kg(-1) was shown to significantly inhibit the vascular index of murine chronic granulomatous air pouch model with the inhibitory rate of 22.52% and 25.29%, respectively. This result was supported by histological observation. Concomitantly, the IL-1beta levels in mice serums were also significantly decreased with the inhibitory rate of 50.61% and 58.66%; so were the TNF-alpha levels with the inhibitory rate of 28.91% and 52.41%. Ginkgolide B at concentration of 1 x 10(-5) to 1 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1) could also reduce both the IL-1beta and TNF-alpha contents in the supernatants of U937 cell culture stimulated by PMA, but the scopes of changes were much different. For IL-1beta the IC50 was 1.93 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1), while ginkgolide B at concentration of 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) only decreased the release of TNF-alpha by 25.99%. Furthermore, ginkgolide B at concentrations of 1 x 10(-5) to 1 x 10(-7) mol x L(-1) was shown to significantly inhibit TNF-alpha mRNA expression of U937 cells; and at concentrations of 1 x 10(-5) and 1 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1) could inhibit IL-1beta mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: Ginkgolide B was shown to significantly inhibit angiogenesis of the murine chronic granulomatous air pouch model, reduce the IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels in mice serums, and significantly inhibit IL-1beta and TNF-alpha mRNA expression and protein secretion in supernatants of U937 cell culture. It was suggested that reduction of proangiogenic cytokines IL-1beta and TNF-alpha secretion may contribute to the anti-angiogenesis effect of ginkgolide B in the murine chronic granulomatous air pouch model.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Antifibrotic effects of cyclic RGD-peptide mediated liposomal interferon: an experimental on rats].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antifibrotic effect of receptor-mediated sterical stability liposome (SSL) targeting hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and containing recombinant human interferon-alpha 1b (IFNalpha-1b) on hepatic cirrhosis. METHODS: The ligand, cyclo (RGD) with specific affinity to HSCs, was incorporated via PEG into the lipid bilayers of SSL. Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: liver fibrosis model group undergoing double ligation and cutting of the common bile duct (BDL group), BDL + IFN-SSL group, undergoing BDL and injection of IFN 50,000 IU per week via caudal vein for 4 times; IFN-RGD-SSL treatment group, undergoing BDL and injection of IFN-RGD-SSL (equal to 50,000 IU per week) via caudal vein for 4 times; and sham operation group used as control. The rats were killed 24 hours after the last injection. Their livers and serum samples were collected. Pathological changes of the liver were observed with HE and alpha-SMA immunohistochemical staining. Biochemical automatic analyzer was used to test the serum indices of liver function: ALT, AST, total bilirubin (TBIL), alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamine (gamma-GT). Radioimmunoassay method was used to examine the s serum index of liver fibrosis: HA, procollagen III (PCIII), LN, and CIV. Colorimetry was used to examine the level of hydroxyl proline (Hyp). RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of type I collagen. Western blotting was used to examine the protein expression of alpha-SMA of HSC. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, liver fibrosis was seen in the other 3 groups, especially in the BDL group. In comparison with the sham operation group, the levels of serum indices of liver fibrosis, liver hydroxyl proline content, and expression of type I collagen mRNA and alpha-SMA protein in liver were significantly higher in the other groups (all P < 0.05), being significantly lower in the BDL + IFN-RGD-SSL group than in the BDL + IFN-SSL group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The receptor-mediated IFN-RGD-SSL displays good targeting antifibrotic effects on liver fibrosis.

Actins↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Blockade of B7-H1 with sPD-1 improves immunity against murine hepatocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The B7-H1/PD-1 pathway has been demonstrated to be involved in tumor evasion. In a previous study, we constructed a eukaryotic expression plasmid (pPD-1A), which expresses soluble PD-1 (sPD-1). In this study, the question of whether or not the blockade of B7-H1 with sPD-1 in vivo and vitro can improve antitumor immunity was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The proliferation of lymphocytes activated by dendritic cells (DCs), which were treated with sPD-1 in vitro, was detected with MTT colorimetry. Mice inoculated with H22 cells were treated by intramuscular injection with pPD-1A. The mRNA expression was analyzed with RT-PCR. RESULTS: The early activation of lymphocytes in vitro was partly improved by sPD-1 blockade. The growth of H22 cells was inhibited significantly after pPD-1A administration. The mRNA expression of 4-1BB, B7.1, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha of lymphocytes was up-regulated and that of OX40 and IL-10 was down-regulated after pPD-1A administration. CONCLUSION: Blockade of the PD-1/B7-H1 pathway with sPD-1 may be a promising strategy for immunotherapy for hepatocarcinoma. Both cytokines and co-stimulatory molecules of lymphocytes could be regulated by sPD-1 blockade.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[Effects of glimepiride and metformin on free fatty acid in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of glimepiride and metformin on free fatty acid (FFA) in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and to further study the relationship between free fatty acid and insulin resistance in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A prospective and case-control study was conducted. Ninty-four patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (35-70 year-old) were divided into 3 groups: glimepiride treated group (n=33), metformin treated group (n=29) and glimepiride plus metformin treated group (n=32). These patients were followed up for 6 months. Free fatty acids were measured by using an enzymatic colorimetry. RESULTS: The concentration of FFA didn't significantly change in the glimepiride treated group at the end of treatment, but it obviously decreased in the metformin treated group and in the glimepiride plus metformin treated group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). The decrease of FFA in the glimepiride plus metformin treated group was more obvious than that in the glimepiride treated group (P < 0.05). The fasting serum FFA concentration is positively related to HOMA-IR( homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance) and the choice of drugs by stepwise regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Metformin alone or metformin plus glimepiride can decrease FFA levels, body weight index, blood glucose and insulin resistance. FFA level can reflect the index of insulin resistance to some degree.

Adult↗