[Inhibitory effect of adenovirus-mediated endostatin gene transfer on transplanted lung carcinoma in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of adenovirus-mediated endostatin gene transfer on transplanted lung cancer in mice and its mechanism of action. METHODS: Transplant tumor model was induced by subcutaneous inoculation of 2 x 10(6) Lewis lung cancer (LLC) cells into the back of C57BL/6 mice. The mice were treated by intratumoral injection of 2 x 10(9) pfu Ad-mEndostatin. The expression of endostatin in situ and its maintaining time were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western Blot, respectively. The endostatin level in serum was determined by ELISA . The inhibition of tumor growth and changes of survival were recorded and the microvessel density (MVD) was determined by histochemical stainingwith CD31 and CD105 antibodies. The tumor apoptosis was observed by electron microscopy. RESULTS: In comparison with controls, intratumoral injection of Ad-mEndostatin significantly inhibited the tumor growth and metastasis, and prolonged the survival rate of mice (P < 0.05). Strong positive expression of mEndostatin was seen in the tumor tissue after injection of Ad-mEndostatin, immunhistochemically ostained by mouse endostatin monoclonal antibody, while the control groups showed only very low expression or absence. Serum endostatin concentration was 1540 +/- 560 ng/ml at the second week of administration, the expression of endostatin diminished a month later. The microvessel density (MVD)) decreased from 42.4 +/- 4.8 to 10.5 +/- 3.2 per x 200 magnificetion microscopic field by CD10 staining and from 68.5 +/- 4.5 to 37.5 +/- 4.6 by CD31 staining, respectively (P < 0.05). More apoptotic tumor cells were seen under the transmission electron microscope. CONCLUSION: Endostatin gene therapy mediated by adenoviral vector efficiently induces expression of endostatin in vivo, and inhibits the growth and metastasis of tumor. It is concluded that its action is targeted to tumor neovasculature and the mechanism is inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.

Application of jejunum with vascular pedicle in reconstruction of the digestive tract.

OBJECTIVE: To reconstruct the digestive tract using the jejunum with vascular pedicle after esophagectomy or gastrectomy, and observe the therapeutic effects and the patients' quality of life after the operation. METHODS: This study included a total of 25 patients, 10 of whom received proximal subtotal gastrectomy followed by reconstruction of the digestive tract with P-shaped jejunum for anastomosis of the esophagus and the residual stomach, 15 had total gastrectomy and anastomosis of the P-shaped jejunum with the esophagus inferior to the arch of aorta, with another 2 having total gastrectomy and the anastomosis superior to the arch of aorta. The pH value of the esophagus was tested, barium meal and gastroscopy were carried out 3 months after the operations, and the patients' quality of life assessed. RESULTS: Anastomotic leakage or infections in the thoracic or abdominal cavity occurred in none of the patients. All the patients had no postoperative difficulty in eating cooked rice, and were free of reflux esophagitis and burning sensation in the chest. The pH value of the esophagus was 5.5-6.6. Eight patients survived for more than 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of digestive tract reconstruction using the jejunum with vascular pedicle after esophagectomy or gastrectomy are satisfactory, especially in patients with esophageal cancer in the lower section or cardia cancer. This operation gives rise to low rate of operative complications, and insures good quality of life of the patients.