ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of heparin binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) on liver regeneration after partial orthotopic liver transplantation. MethodsFourty SD rats were used to establish the model of partial orthotopic liver transplantation with ameliorated two-cuff technique. Then all the rats were divided into 2 groups: experiment group and control group. Twenty rats of experiment group were administered 500 μg/kg HBEGF via vena caudalis immediately after operation twice a day, while the same volume of saline was administered to the rats in control group. Five rats in each group were selected randomly and killed at the 6th hour, day 2, 4 and 7 after operation, respectively. The serum levels of albumin (Alb) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the blood sample were detected. Every liver was removed and weighed. The expression of Ki67 was detected by using immunohistochemistry assay. The regeneration activity of hepatocytes was evaluated by flow cytometry. ResultsThe wet weights of liver in experiment group were all significantly higher than that in control group at the 6th hour, day 2 and 4 after transplantation (P＜0.05). The serum levels of ALT were significantly lower in experiment group than those in control group at the 6th hour, day 2， 4, 7 after operation (P＜0.05), while the levels of Alb were significantly higher on day 4 and 7. The proliferating index and Ki-67 labeling index of graft in experiment group were higher than those in control group on day 2 and 4 after transplantation （2 d: P＜0.01; 4 d: P＜0.05）. ConclusionHBEGF could promote the regeneration of rat hepatocytes after partial liver transplantation.
【Abstract】 Objective To study the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IP) on the activity of nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） and the expressions of TNF-α and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) during early reperfusion following liver transplantation in rats. Methods The models of rat orthotopic liver transplantation were established. The donor livers were stored for 2 hours in Ringers solution at 4 ℃ before transplantation. All rats were randomly divided into sham operation group （SO group）， control group and IP group. IP group was achieved by clamping the portal vein and hepatic artery of donor liver for 10 minutes followed by reperfusion for 10 minutes before harvesting. The activity of NF-κB and expressions of TNF-α and ICAM-1 at 1 h, 2 h, 4 h and 6 h after reperfusion were measured. Serum ALT, LDH were also determined. Results The liver function of recipients with IP were significantly improved. Compared with SO group， the graft NF-κB activity increased after transplantation in control group and IP group (P＜0.05), while compared with control group that was significantly attenuated at 1 h and 2 h in IP group. Similarly, hepatic levels of TNF-α and ICAM-1 were significantly elevated in control group and were reduced in IP group. Conclusion IP might down-regulated TNF-α and ICAM-1 expression in the grafts after orthotopic liver transplantation through depressed NF-κB activation， and attenuate neutrophil infiltration in the grafts after reperfusion.
【Abstract】ObjectiveTo find a stable and efficient method for ex vivo concentration of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in rats. MethodsCD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells were separated from the rat splenic cells in two steps by magnetic cell sorting (MACS) system. CD4+ T cells were first negatively sorted by cocktail antibodies and antiIgG magnetic microbeads. And then CD4+CD 25+T cells were positively sorted by antiCD25 PE and antiPE magnetic microbeads. The purity and the cell survival rate of the sorted cells were measured by flow cytometry and trypan blue dyeing respectively, and the immunosuppressive action of CD4+CD25+ T cells on the proliferation of CD4+CD25- T cells was also assessed by in vitro cell proliferation assay. ResultsThe purity of negatively sorted CD4+ T cells were (83.6±2.5)% (79%~87%), and the purity of positively sorted CD4+CD25+ T cells was (90.2±1.8)% (86%~93%) with the survival rate of (92.8±3.4)% (92%~95%). These concentrated cells significantly suppressed the proliferation of CD4+CD25- T cells in mixed lymphocyte culture （CD25+/CD25- versus CD25-, P＜0.01）. ConclusionWe created a twostep procedure of magnetic cell sorting system for CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells sorting, which insures the cells to be satisfactorily purified and well functioned.