pH-sensitive microemulsion-based gels for removal of colonic ammonia: a novel preventative oral preparation for hepatic encephalopathy in rats.

Microemulsions with limited stability in mimetic gastrointestinal environments have previously demonstrated potential for the effective removal of ammonia from artificial colonic fluid. Specialized pH­sensitive microemulsion­based gels for the removal of colonic ammonia (MBG­RCA), however, possess relative stability in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of normal rats, indicating potential use in in vivo applications. An investigation of the effects of oral MBG­RCA was conducted in order to evaluate the reduction of intestinal ammonia and the prevention of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in rat models. Eighty rats were allocated into eight 4­day treatment groups: The HE model (intraperitoneal injection of thioacetamide) group; the high­, medium­ and low­dose MBG­RCA therapeutic groups (15, 10 and 5 ml/kg MBG­RCA, respectively); and the normal, blank, lactulose and acetic acid control groups, each of which received daily treatment administration. Oral MBG­RCA effects were identified using behavioral monitoring observed by an infrared night vision supervisory control system, electroencephalograms, blood ammonia levels, intestinal ammonia levels, liver functionality and pathological observation. High­ and medium­dose oral administrations of MBG­RCA significantly decreased the blood and intestinal ammonia levels (P<0.05), improved liver functionality and reduced the clinical manifestations of HE in rats. MBG­RCA demonstrated high clearance of rat colonic ammonia while maintaining sufficient stability in the GI tract, indicating the potential for the development of new clinically relevant oral preparations for the prevention of HE. Additionally, such preparations are advantageous in that ammonia is eliminated without the production of potentially harmful metabolic byproducts.

Octreotide and celecoxib synergistically encapsulate VX2 hepatic allografts following transcatheter arterial embolisation.

To evaluate the encapsulation of VX2 hepatic allografts in rabbits induced by octreotide and celecoxib administration following transcatheter arterial embolisation (TAE), rabbits with hepatic VX2 allografts were divided into four groups: control, TAE, octreotide + celecoxib (O+C) and the multimodality therapy (TAE+O+C). Allograft metastasis, capsule thickness and percentage of clear cells were measured and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CD31 were detected by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. The extrahepatic metastases of each intervention group were significantly fewer than those of the control group, with the TAE+O+C group exhibiting the fewest extrahepatic metastases. The TAE+O+C group had the greatest proportion of clear cells and thickest capsule on day 30. Increased capsule thickness was negatively correlated with tumour metastasis. In addition, VEGF expression levels assessed by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR in the three intervention groups were significantly lower than those in the control group. Furthermore, the TAE+O+C group had a significantly reduced CD31 count induced by TAE. These results demonstrate that TAE, followed by long-term administration of octreotide and celecoxib, synergistically inhibits VX2 hepatic allograft metastasis by increasing the proportion of clear cells, promoting encapsulation and inhibiting angiogenesis.

Transcatheter arterial embolization followed by octreotide and celecoxib synergistically prolongs survival of rabbits with hepatic VX2 allografts.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the efficacy of an innovative multimodality therapy with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) plus octreotide and celecoxib in reducing neoangiogenesis and prolonging the survival of rabbits with hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Rabbits with hepatic VX2 allografts were divided into four groups: control group, TAE group, octreotide + celecoxib (O + C) group and the multimodality therapy (TAE + O + C) group. Survival of the rabbits was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the expression of CD31 in tumor tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Rabbits in the TAE + O + C group lived nearly 20 days longer than those in the control group. The survival rate of the TAE + O + C group was 50% at day 80 and was the highest among the four groups (P < 0.05). No VX2 allograft-bearing rabbits in the control group lived longer than 60 days. Compared with the control group, the survival time of the other two intervention groups were not prolonged significantly (P > 0.05). The CD31 expression induced by TAE was reduced significantly in TAE + O + C group (P < 0.05). Less metastasis was detected in TAE + O + C group. CONCLUSION: TAE followed by the long-term administration of octreotide and celecoxib can synergistically prolong the survival of rabbits with hepatic VX2 allografts by inhibiting potential neoangiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis.

Melena-associated regional portal hypertension caused by splenic arteriovenous fistula.

Regional portal hypertension is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. We reported an extremely rare case in which regional portal hypertension was associated with both the splenic arteriovenous fistula and chronic pancreatitis. In June 2010, our patient, a 41-year-old man, was admitted to a local hospital due to a sudden melena and dizziness without haematemesis and jaundice. The splenic arteriovenous fistula in this patient was successfully occluded through transcatheter arterial embolization. At the 12-mo follow-up, our patient was in good condition.

Inhibitory effects of methyl trans-cinnamate on mushroom tyrosinase and its antimicrobial activities.

The control of food browning and growth of disease-causing microorganisms is critical to maintaining the quality and safety of food. Tyrosinase is the key enzyme in food browning. The inhibitory effect of methyl trans-cinnamate on the activity of tyrosinase has been investigated. Methyl trans-cinnamate can strongly inhibit both monophenolase and diphenolase activity of mushroom tyrosinase. When the concentration of methyl trans-cinnamate reached 2.5 mM, the lag time was lengthened from 32 to 160 s and the steady-state activity was lost about 65%. The IC(50) value was 1.25 mM. For the diphenolase activity, the inhibition of methyl trans-cinnamate displayed a reversible and noncompetitive mechanism. The IC(50) value was 1.62 mM, and the inhibition constant (K(I)) was determined to be 1.60 mM. Moreover, the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphyloccocus aureus and antifungal activity against Candida albicans were tested. The results showed that methyl trans-cinnamate possessed an antimicrobial ability.

Bioinformatics Analysis and Validation of the Expressed Sequences Tag in Human Colorectal Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: This study was to investigate some new pathological genes in colorectal adenocarcinoma of human. METHODS: Human colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues and normal colorectal tissues were taken and suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) and cDNA microarray techniques were employed. From differentially expressed 86 expressed sequence tags (EST), 10 EST of the SSH were selected as seed sequence for bioinformatics analyses, semi-quantitative RT-PCR and PCR-sequencing. Each lane of semi-quantitative RT-PCR was analyzed by Q1 software. RESULTS: Among these 10 EST, it has been found that ES274070, ES274071, ES274076 and ES274081 may play role in the onset of colorectal adenocarcinoma in human. CONCLUSIONS: The ES274070, ES274071, ES274076 and ES274081 are related to the onset of human colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Inhibitory effects of cis- and trans-isomers of 3,5-dihydroxystilbene on the activity of mushroom tyrosinase.

The effects of cis- and trans-isomers of 3,5-dihydroxystilbene on the activity of mushroom tyrosinase have been studied. The results show that both cis- and trans-isomers of 3,5-dihydroxystilbene can inhibit the diphenolase activity of the enzyme and the inhibition type was reversible. The IC(50) values were estimated as 0.405+/-0.013 and 0.705+/-0.017 mM, respectively. Kinetic analysis showed that the inhibition of cis-3,5-dihydroxystilbene and trans-3,5-dihydroxystilbene on the diphenolase activity of the enzyme belonged to competitive type, and the inhibition constants (K(I)) were determined to be 0.232+/-0.015 and 0.395+/-0.020 mM, respectively. In this investigation, the inhibitory effects of cis-3,5-dihydroxystilbene and trans-3,5-dihydroxystilbene on the diphenolase activity of mushroom tyrosinase were compared. The inhibitory capacity of cis-isomer was stronger than that of corresponding trans-isomer. Nevertheless, the trans-3,5-dihydroxystilbene was used more frequently than its corresponding cis-form compound. This research may offer some references for designing and synthesizing some novel and effective tyrosinase inhibitors. Furthermore, it may improve the use of stilbenes on the field of food preservation and depigmentation.

[Clinical application of lateral lag screw in fixing intracapsular sagittal condylar fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the clinical application and curative effect of lateral lag screw technique in fixing condylar intracapsular sagittal fractures. METHODS: Thirteen condyles with intracapsular sagittal fracture of 11 cases were fixed using lateral lag screw technique. Curative effects were observed by clinical and radiological follow-up for 6 approximately 30 months (mean 12 months) postoperatively. RESULTS: The favorable results were obtained in all cases. All patients were satisfied with the clinical results. slight malocclusion existed in 2 cases. Radiological abnormalities were seen in 3 cases by CT scanning, but without any obvious function disturbances. CONCLUSIONS: Lateral lag screw technique is a simple and effective treatment in fixing intracapsular sagittal condylar fractures.