[Values of magnetic resonance spectrum imaging in the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis of rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the values of magnetic resonance spectrum (MRS) in early diagnosis, quantization analysis and staging of hepatic fibrosis. METHODS: A rat model of hepatic fibrosis was established by the method of carbon tetra carbon (CCl4). A total of 47 SD rats were divided into model (n = 40) and control (n = 7) groups. 1H-MRS was performed. The model rats of hepatic fibrosis were grouped according to their pathological stages. The ratio of peak height and peak area of metabolites and lipid (Cho/Lip, Glx/Lip, Lac/Lip and Cr/Lip) were calculated and compared respectively. RESULTS: The ratios of peak height of metabolites and lipid were as follows: ratio of Cho and Lip: significant differences existed between control and grades 3 and 4 model groups (P < 0.05); ratio of Glx and Lip: significant differences existed between control and grades 2, 3 and 4 model groups (P < 0.05); ratio of Cr and Lip: significant differences existed between control and grade 3 model groups (P < 0.05). The peak area ratio of main metabolites and lipid of liver were as follows: ratio of Cho and Lip: significant differences existed between control and grade 4 model groups (P < 0.05); ratio of Glx and Lip: significant differences existed between control and other groups (P < 0.05); ratio of Cr and Lip: significant differences existed between control and grade 4 model groups (P < 0.05); ratio of Lac and Lip: no significant differences existed between these groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The ratios of peak height and peak area of Cho/Lip, Glx/Lip and Cr/Lip are important for the staging of hepatic fibrosis.

[Injury repairing and magnetic resonance tracing of transplanted bone marrow stromal cells in rat liver with hepatic fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the recurring patterns of migration and distribution of transplanted bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in rat model with hepatic fibrosis and the feasibility of magnetic resonance (MR) tracing. METHODS: BMSCs labeled with 5-bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu) and super para-magnetic iron oxide (SPIO) were transplanted into rat model with hepatic fibrosis via portal vein. MR scan was performed at Hour 2, Day 3, Day 7 and Week 2 post-transplantation to analyze the hepatic features of MR signal intensity and pathohistology of BMSCs. RESULTS: Multiple hypo-intense lesions appeared in hepatic hilar region at Hour 2 and became smaller with the elapsing time. Hemosiderin and Brdu immunohistochemical stains showed that positive cells were found in portal vein of hepatic porta at Hour 2, small branches of portal vein, sinus hepaticus and around central veins of hepatic lobules at Day 3 and liver parenchyma (esp. in area of lesion) at Day 7 and Week 2. Some of transplanted BMSCs were tightly connected with liver cell to form liver cell cord. The signal intensity changes of MRI corresponded to histological findings at different timepoints. CONCLUSION: The transplanted BMSCs are gradually scattered in whole liver (esp. in lesion area) so that it may help to repair hepatic lesions. And the recurring patterns of MR signal intensity changes reflected the condition of distribution, immigration and differentiation of transplanted cells.

Nickel-Catalyzed Enantioselective Dearomative Heck-Reductive Allylic Defluorination Reaction of Indoles.

Herein, we describe a nickel-catalyzed asymmetric dearomative aryl-difluoroallylation reaction of indoles with α-trifluoromethyl alkenes as an electrophilic coupling partner. The reaction proceeds via a cascade sequence involving dearomative Heck cyclization and reductive allylic defluorination. A series of gem-difluoroallyl substituted indolines are obtained in moderate to good yields (36-77% yield) with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee). The reaction features broad functional group tolerance, scaled-up synthesis, and late-stage diversification.

Pd-Catalyzed Intramolecular Dearomative [4 + 2] Cycloaddition of Naphthalenes with Arylalkynes.

A Pd-catalyzed intramolecular dearomative [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of naphthalenes with arylalkynes is developed. The protocol provides a straightforward method to access a range of polycyclic dihydronaphthalenes containing two vicinal all-carbon stereocenters in moderate yields under mild conditions in an air atmosphere. The deuterium labeling experiment suggests a pathway involving electrophilic dearomatization followed by Friedel-Crafts cyclization. Several synthetic transformations of the product were conducted to demonstrate the utility of this reaction.

Sublocalization of Rab23, a mediator of Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway, in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.

The novel member of the Rab family of GTPases, Rab23, is an essential negative regulator of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway. Loss of function mutation of the Rab23 gene causes abnormal development of the neural tube in mice and in certain human congenital diseases. The aberrant overexpression of Rab23 has been associated with various diseases, such as gastric, hepatocellular and lung cancer. The exact function of Rab23 in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), however, remains unknown. Previously, we reported the abnormal sublocalization of Rab23 in lung cancers. In the current study, we investigated the role of Rab23 in HCCs. We report the distinct sublocalization pattern of Rab23 in HCC cell lines. This difference depends on the GDP/GTP-binding form, and inhibition of the Rab23 cycle decreases the expression and nuclear localization of Gli1.