ObjectiveTo explore the effect of hydroxyapatite nanoparticle (nHAP) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its mechanisms. MethodsThe literatures about the effect of nHAP on HCC were reviewed and summarized. ResultsAs a new nanoparticle, nHAP could suppress the DNA synthesis and subsequent division and proliferation of HCC cells through the inhibition of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and telomerase gene expression and increase of intracellular Ca2+. Moreover, nHAP was able to suppress the differentiation and metastases of HCC cells through the effect on the expressions of Paxillin and P130cas and the decrease of expressions of multiple drug resistance gene protein, microvessel density, and vascular endothelial growth factor. Finally, nHAP induced the apoptosis of HCC tumor cells by the regulation of bcl-2 and bax protein expressions. The combined use of nHAP and chemoembolization drugs could enhance the efficacy, prolong drug duration and reduce toxicity. ConclusionnHAP can inhibit the division, proliferation, differentiation, and metastases, and promote the apoptosis of HCC cells and combined use with chemoembolization drugs can enhance the efficacy and reduce toxicity.
ObjectiveTo investigate safety and feasibility of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) without preoperative prophylactic gastrointestinal decompression.MethodsA prospective study was conducted on the patients with choledocholithiasis and cholecystolithiasis scheduled to undergo LCBDE plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy in this hospital from January 2016 to December 2017. All the patients were randomly divided into a gastrointestinal decompression group and a non-gastrointestinal decompression group by the same researcher according to the random number table method. The general conditions, intraoperative status and postoperative status of patients in the two groups were compared.ResultsA total of 286 patients were enrolled in this study, including 120 in the non-gastrointestinal decompression group and 166 in the gastrointestinal decompression group. There were no significant differences in the general data such as the age, gender, smoking history, drinking history, preoperative complications, results of preoperative laboratory examination, and preoperative anesthesia score between the two groups (P>0.050). The time of oral feeding in the non-gastrointestinal decompression group was significantly earlier than that in the gastrointestinal decompression group (t=2.181, P=0.030). There were no significant differences in the bleeding volume, operative time, anal ventilation time, total hospitalization time, and postoperative hospitalization time between the two groups (P>0.050). The incidences of nausea/vomiting and poor appetite in the non-gastrointestinal decompression were significantly lower than those in the gastrointestinal decompression group (χ2=5.098, P=0.024; χ2=4.905, P=0.027). There were no significant differences in the incidences of other complications between the two groups (P>0.050).ConclusionFrom results of this study, prophylactic gastrointestinal decompression should not be recommended for patients undergoing LCBDE.
Objective To investigate the influence of different transplantating times on the survival and immigration of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in injured spinal cord by subarachnoid administration, and to evaluate the most optimal subarachnoid administration times for BMSCs. Methods Eight adult male rats (weighing 120 g) were used to isolate BMSCs that were cultured, purified and labeled with Hoechst 33342 in vitro. Another 75 adult Wistar rats (weighing 220 g) were made the spinal cord injury (SCI) models at T9,10 level according to the improved Allen’s method and were randomly divided into 5 groups (groups A, B, C, D, and E, n=15). The labeled BMSCs at 1 × 107/mL 0.1 mL were injected into subarachnoid space of the rats via a catheters under the subarachnoid space in groups A (one time at 1 week), B ( two times at 1 and 3 weeks), C (3 times at 1, 3, and 5 weeks) and D (5 times at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 weeks) and 0.2 mL phosphate-buffered sal ine (PBS) was injected in group E (5 times at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 weeks) as blank control. The neurological functions were evaluated using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scale 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12 weeks after transplantation. The migration, survival, differentiation, and histomorphological changes of BMSCs were observed by HE, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescence microscopy. Results At 3 weeks after injury, there were significant differences in the BBB scores between group E and groups A, B, C, D (P lt; 0.01), and between groups A, B and groups C, D (P lt; 0.01). At 7, 9, and 12 weeks, the BBB scores were significantly higher in groups C and D than in groups A and B (P lt; 0.01), and in group B than in group A (P lt; 0.01). There were no significant differences in the BBB scores between groups C and D (P gt; 0.05). The fluorescence microscopy showed that the transplanted BMSCs survived and grew in the injured region at 3 weeks after injury and as time went on, the transplanted cells gradually decreased in group A; in groups B, C, and D, BMSCs count reached the peak values at 5 and 7 weeks and then gradually decreased. At 12 weeks, the survival BMSCs were significantly more in groups C and D than in groups A and B (P lt; 0.01). HE staining showed that the formation of cavity was observed in each group at 3 weeks after injury and the area of cavity gradually decreased in groups A, B, C, and D. At 12 weeks, the area of cavity was the miximal in groups C and D, moderate in groups A and B, and the maximal in group E. The immunohistochemistry staining indicated that the expression of NF-200 was more intense in groups C and D than in groups A and B. The expression of NF-200-positive fibers was more intense in group C. Conclusion Multiple administration of BMSCs promotes the restoration of injured spinal cord and improves neurological functions, and three times for BMSCs transplantation is best
Objective To investigate the mechanism of adenosine-tri phosphate (ATP) activated mammal ian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signal pathway in the physiology and pathology of spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods Ninety-six adult healthy female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (groups A, B, C and D, n=24). In groups A, B and C, the rats were made the SCI models at T8-10 levels by using a modified Allen’ s stall, and in group D, rats were given laminectomy without SCI. The rats were subjected to the administration of ATP (40 mg/kg) for 7 days in group A, to the administration of physiological sal ine (equal-volume) for 7 days in group B, to the administration of ATP (40 mg/kg) and rapamycin (3 mg/kg) for 7 days in group C, and to the administration of physiological sal ine (equal-volume) for 7 days in group D. Locomotor activity was evaluated using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan rating scale at the postoperative 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks. Then, the expressions of spinal cord cell marker [Nestin, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), gl ial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)] and the mTOR/STAT3 pathway factors (mTOR, STAT3) were detected at the postoperative 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks by immunohistochemistry analysis, Western blot assay, and real-time fluorescence PCR analysis. Results The BBB scores in group A showed a steady increase in the postoperative 1st-4th weeks and were significantly higher than those in groups B and C (P lt; 0.01), but were lower than that in group D (P lt; 0.01). Real-time fluorescence PCR results showed that the mRNA expressions of mTOR, STAT3, NSE of group A steadily increased, however, the Nestin mRNA expression gradually decreased in the postoperative 1st-4th weeks, which were all significantly higher than those of groups B, C, and D (P lt; 0.01). The mRNA expression of GFAP showed a steady increase in group A and was significantly less than those of groups B and C, but was higher than that of group D (P lt; 0.01). There were significant differences (Plt; 0.01) in all markers between groups B, C, and group D; there were significant differences in mTOR, P-mTOR, STAT3, and P-STAT3 mRNA between groups B and C at 1st-4th weeks (P lt; 0.05). The similar changes were found by Western blot assay. Conclusion ATP can activate the mTOR/STAT3 pathway to induce endogenic NSCs to prol iferate and differentiate into neurons in rats, it enhances the heal ing of SCI.
Objective To establish a VX2 liver tumor model in rabbits under guidance of ultrasound mini-invasively, and to evaluate the imaging characteristics of VX2 liver tumor on ultrasound, CT scanning and angiography，respectively． Methods VX2 tumor tissues that were planted intramuscularly in the rabbit’s hind leg, were resected and cut into small pieces in 0.5 mm×0.5 mm×0.5 mm, and were inoculated into the left lobes of livers in 60 New Zealand rabbits under the guidance of ultrasound. The achievement ratio of the inoculated tumors growing in the rabbit livers were measured, and the imaging characteristics of the tumors on ultrasound, CT scanning and angiography were observed and then were evaluated 2 weeks later. Results The achievement ratio of establishing a liver tumor model under the guidance of ultrasound was 95% （57/60）. The average physio-life span of the model rabbits was (45±8) d. Ultrasound showed that the tumor in the rabbit liver was a single spherical or sphere-alike hypoechoic nodus, and there were higher blood flow signals in and around the nodus. VX2 tumor in the liver appeared as a solitary low density nodus on unenhanced CT scanning, and the hepatic arteriography showed that the tumor was rich of blood vessels, which built the disordered vasoganglion. Tumor was maily stained at the edge of the nodus. Conclusion It may be simple and effective to estabish a rabbit liver tumor model by inoculating VX2 tumor tissue under the guidance of ultrasound and the achievement ratio of such method was relatiely high. And the imaging characteristics of the tumor was similar to that of human primary liver carcinoma.