[Clinicopathological analysis of superior mediastinal lymph node metastases in medullary thyroid carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of superior mediastinal lymph node metastases (sMLNM) in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Methods: This retrospective analysis enrolled the patients who were treated for sMLNM of MTC in our hospital from May 2012 to January 2021. All patients were suspected of sMLNM due to preoperative imaging. According to the pathological results, the patients were divided into two groups named sMLNM group and the negative superior-mediastinal-lymph-node group. We collected and analyzed the clinical features, pathological features, pre- and post-operative calcitonin (Ctn), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels of the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze risk factors, and receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to determine the optimal cut-off values of preoperative Ctn and preoperative CEA for predicting sMLNM. Results: Among the 94 patients, 69 cases were in the sMLNM group and 25 cases were in the non-SMLNM group. Preoperative Ctn level (P=0.003), preoperative CEA level (P=0.010), distant metastasis (P=0.022), extracapsular lymph node invasion (P=0.013), the number of central lymph node metastases (P=0.002) were related to sMLNM, but the multivariate analysis did not find any independent risk factors. The optimal threshold for predicting sMLNM by pre-operative Ctn is 1500 pg/ml and AUC is 0.759 (95% CI: 0.646, 0.872). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of diagnosis are 61.2%, 77.3%, 89.1%, 39.5%, respectively. In patients who underwent mediastinal lymph node dissection through transsternal approach, the metastatic possibility of different levels from high to low were level 2R (82.3%, 28/34), level 2L (58.8%, 20/34), level 4R (58.8%, 20/34), level 3 (23.5%, 8/34), level 4L (11.8%, 4/34). Postoperative complications occurred in 41 cases (43.6%), and there was no perioperative death in all cases. 14.8% (12/81) of the patients achieved biochemical complete response (Ctn≤12 pg/ml) one month after surgery, 5 of these patients were in sMLNM group. Conclusions: For patients who have highly suspicious sMLNM through imaging, combining with preoperative Ctn diagnosis can improve the accuracy of diagnosis, especially for patients with preoperative Ctn over 1 500 pg/ml. The superior mediastinal lymph node dissection for the primary sternotomy should include at least the superior mediastinal levels 2-4 to avoid residual lesions. The strategy of surgery needs to be cautiously performed. Although the probability of biochemical cure in sMLNM cases is low, nearly 40% of patients can still benefit from the operation at the biochemical level.

[Value of jugulo-omohyoid lymph nodes in predicting lateral cervical occult metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the value of jugulo-omohyoid lymph nodes (JOHLN) in predicting occult lateral cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: The clinicopathological data of 136 out of 2 100 PTC patients, who had a high risk of lateral neck lymph node metastasis and treated by us from January 2010 to December 2015, were retrospectively analyzed. Super selective neck dissection (SSND, level Ⅲ and Ⅳ)was performed and JOHLNs were sent for frozen section in all the 136 cases. The clinicopathological data was analyzed and the significance of JOHLN in predicting lateral cervical LNM was calculated using the SPSS software package. Results: Of the 136 patients, total thyroidectomy was performed in 76 cases (55.9%) and unilateral lobectomy plus isthmus was performed in the other 60 cases (44.1%). SSND was performed in 72 patients (52.9%), level Ⅱ-Ⅳ dissection in 15 (11.0%), and level Ⅱ-Ⅴ dissection in 49 (36.0%). According to the pathological results, 38 patients were pN0(27.9%), 18 (13.2%) were pN1a and 80 (58.8%) were pN1b. The lymph node metastasis(LNM) rates at level Ⅱ-Ⅵ were 19.9%, 43.4%, 42.6%, 2.9%, and 59.6%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of JOHLN in predicting lateral neck metastasis were 58.8%, 62.9%, and 76.7%, respectively. The rates for predicting level Ⅱ metastasis were 81.5%, 43.2%, and 59.4%, respectively. None of the patients died in the follow-up. Only 1 recurrence was found in level Ⅱ and regional control was achieved after level Ⅱ and Ⅴ dissection. Conclusions: JOHLN has a high accuracy for predicting lateral cervical lymph node metastasis and high sensitivity for level Ⅱ metastasis. For patients with high risk of lateral cervival metastasis, super-selective neck dissection including level Ⅲ and Ⅳ can confirm the stage and reduce the risk of reoperation. Dissection for level Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ is recommended.

Distribution and diversity of bacterial communities and sulphate-reducing bacteria in a paddy soil irrigated with acid mine drainage.

AIMS: To investigate the effects of long-term acid mine drainage (AMD) irrigation on the change in bacterial community and sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in a paddy soil. METHODS AND RESULTS: The bacterial community structures were investigated using 454 pyrosequencing, and 98 931 effective sequences were selected for the bacterial diversity analysis. The known dominant phyla in the paddy soil were Acidobacteria (33·5%), Proteobacteria (19·7%), Nitrospira (2·8%) and Actinobacteria (2·7%). Higher percentage of Acidobacteria than Proteobacteria was detected. The relative abundances of the dominant bacterial lineages were more significantly correlated with the soil pH, the organic matter and the sulphate than the heavy metals. The diversity of the SRB in the surface paddy soil showed that the uncultured SRB groups might play important roles in paddy soils. The other OTUs mainly belonged to six phylogenetic divisions: Desulfobacca, Desulfovibrio, Syntrophobacter, Desulforhopalus, Desulfarculus and Desulfobulbus. The distribution of the absolute abundance and the relative contribution of the SRB along the vertical soil profile were investigated by RT-PCR assays based on the dsrB gene. The abundance of the dsrB gene copy numbers was up to 1·92 × 10(9)  copies g(-1) dry soil, which is slightly higher than the other non-AMD-affected paddy soil. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the abundance of SRB is increased by the AMD irrigation while changing the composition and diversity of the bacterial community in the paddy soil. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is, to our knowledge, the first attempt to characterize and quantify changes in the diversity and distribution of the microbial community and SRB in the long-term AMD-irrigated paddy soil, which will further increase our understanding of the impact of AMD on sulphur biogeochemical cycling in the paddy soil.

[Predictors of rush popper use among 825 men who have sex with men in education in Guangdong Province].

Objective: To explore prevalence and predictors of the use of Rush poppers among men who have sex with men in education in Guangdong Province. Methods: An internet survey was conducted via a gay website from March to August 2014 and a sample of 833 male respondents over 16 years who had ever had anal sex with a male, studied in Guangdong Province and who had completed an online questionnaire was identified- of which 93.4% (n=825) provided valid responses and were included in the study. Respondents provided information on their socio-demographic characteristics, HIV testing history, sexual activity in last 3 months, Rush poppers use and time since first sexual encounter with a male. We used the Chi-squared test and multivariate logistic regression modeling to identify the predictors of Rush poppers use in this population group. Results: Among our sample of 825 MSM, whose ages ranged from 21-27 years, 14.8% (n=122) reported having used Rush poppers in the past 3 months. Rates of use were higher among those who had ever been tested for HIV (16.7% vs. 10.9%, χ2=4.80, P=0.028), had anal intercourse in the last 3 months (16.8% vs. 10.7%, χ2=5.48, P=0.019), had multiple sexual partners in the past 3 months (19.3% vs. 13.1%, χ2=5.14, P=0.023), had a casual partner (18.0% vs. 12.1%, χ2=5.68, P= 0.017) or had a sexually transmitted infection (23.4% vs. 14.0%, χ2=4.85, P=0.028). Those who reported having had their first sexual encounter with another male over 5 years prior had higher rates of use (18.0%) than for those who had been sexually active ≤1 year (10.7%) or 2-4 years (12.5%, χ2=6.41, P=0.041). HIV testing (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.07-2.70), having a casual partner (OR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.12-2.50) and being sexually active with other males for over 5 years (OR: 1.87, 95%CI: 1.05-3.31) were significantly associated with Rush poppers use. Conclusion: A large proportion of student MSM in Guangdong Province used Rush poppers. Proxy measures of sexual activity such as HIV testing, recent casual sexual encounters and duration of sexual activity were associated with their use.

Evaluation on hydrothermal gasification of styrene-butadiene rubber with oxidants via ReaxFF-MD simulation.

Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) is widely used in tires, which brings great challenge to the disposal and reclaiming of the used tires. The ring-opening reaction pathways of benzene rings in hydrothermal gasification of styrene-butadiene rubber were revealed based on reactive force field molecular dynamics (ReaxFF-MD) simulation. H-abstraction reaction that OH radicals capture H atom from the vinyl group of styrene was critical to the degrading of the styrene monomers. The energy barrier of H2O2 converted to OH radicals was lower than that of O2 and pure water converted to OH radicals. The oxidants that can urge OH radical formed in reaction were beneficial to SBR degradation, which could be assigned to confirm that SBR degradation with H2O2 was better than that with oxygen at the same concentration. The addition of oxidant could be helpful for decreasing the degradation temperature of styrene monomers. At oxidant equivalent ratio (ER) of 0.1, H2 yield at 2500 K lifted after 135 ps and increased by 75% at 500 ps compared with that without oxidants. According to the chemical equilibrium analysis, the optimal ER for H2 was 0.4 between 350 and 600 °C (real temperatures). The results could provide theoretic support and experiment guidance for adding oxidants in reclaiming waste rubber products.

Retraction Note: LINC01296 promotes the proliferation and invasion by regulating microRNA-760 expression and predicts poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

The article "LINC01296 promotes the proliferation and invasion by regulating microRNA-760 expression and predicts poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma", by Z.-C. Wang, S. Yang, M.-Q. Chen, S.-S. Wu, H.-H. Lv, W.-X. Jin, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (22): 9848-9856-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201911_19548- PMID: 31799652 has been retracted by the author for the following reasons: After the publication of this article, the authors reviewed the process of the experiment and found there were mistakes in the methodology search. Not all the carcinoma specimens used in the experiment were from hepatocellular carcinoma. The prognosis and clinical features the rate of lymph node metastasis and the treatment and prognosis between these types of cancers are different. For example, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma tends to involve a high frequency of lymph node metastasis, and the prognosis is worse than hepatocellular carcinoma; hepatocellular carcinoma seldom involves lymph node metastasis but often involves intrahepatic metastasis; colorectal cancer liver metastasis is far more sensitive to chemotherapy and has a relatively long survival, and neuroendocrine carcinoma is sometimes sensitive to hormone therapy and generally has better survival than hepatocellular carcinoma. As a result, the clinical results and gene test results mentioned in this article were incorrect. After that the authors found that there was a mistake, they subsequently carried out supplementary experiments and found that they could not confirm that there was an increase in the expression of the LICO01296 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma, so they could not link some clinical results with the results of the basic research results mentioned in this article. Therefore, from the perspective of academic rigor, they requested to withdraw the article. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/19548.

Biomechanical, structural, and biochemical indices of degenerative and osteoarthritic deterioration of adult human articular cartilage of the femoral condyle.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the tensile biomechanical properties of age-matched adult human knee articular cartilage exhibiting distinct stages of degenerative or osteoarthritic deterioration and to determine the relationships between tensile properties and biochemical and structural properties hypothesized to underlie functional biomechanical deterioration. METHODS: Age-matched articular cartilage samples, obtained from the lateral and medial femoral condyles (LFC and MFC), exhibited (1) minimal fibrillation, characteristic of normal aging (NLA), (2) overt fibrillation associated with degeneration (DGN), or (3) overt fibrillation associated with osteoarthritis (OA). DGN samples were from knees that exhibited degeneration but not osteophytes while OA samples were from fragments removed during total knee arthroplasty. Cartilage samples were analyzed for tensile properties, cell and matrix composition, and histopathological structure. RESULTS: Differences in tensile, compositional and surface structural properties were indicative of distinct stages of cartilage degeneration, early (OA) advanced (DGN) and late (OA) with early degenerative changes in NLA samples being more advanced in the MFC than the LFC, including higher surface fibrillation, lower intrinsic fluorescence, and lower mechanical integrity. The transition from early to advanced degeneration involved a diminution in mechanical function, surface integrity, and intrinsic fluorescence. The transition from advanced to late degeneration involved an increase in cartilage water content, an increase in degraded collagen, and loss of collagen. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence of coordinated mechanical dysfunction, collagen network remodeling, and surface fibrillation. Even in the cartilage of knees exhibiting overt fibrillation but not extensive erosions characteristic of clinical osteoarthritis, most features of advanced cartilage degeneration were present.

LINC01296 promotes the proliferation and invasion by regulating microRNA-760 expression and predicts poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of LINC01296 in the progression of liver cancer (LCa) and to explore its possible molecular mechanisms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: TCGA database was used for information mining to verify the expression of LINC01296 in liver tumor tissues and normal tissues. The levels of LINC01296 in 40 pairs of LCa and adjacent tissues, as well as normal liver cell lines and liver cancer cell lines, were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The Chi-square test was performed to analyze the clinical characteristics of tumor samples and LINC01296 expression. Meanwhile, the Chi-square test was used to explore the relationship between different clinical indicators and the expression of LINC01296. The liver cancer cell lines were screened and transfected with siRNA-LINC01296 and microRNA-760 inhibitor, as well as corresponding negative controls, respectively. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assays were used to determine the effects of LINC01296 on the proliferative and invasive capacities of cells. Furthermore, the regulatory association between LINC01296 and microRNA-760 was verified by the Dual-Luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: LINC01296 expression was remarkably higher in LCa tissues than that of normal liver tissues. Meanwhile, LINC01296 expression was associated with poor prognosis of LCa. Patients with high LINC01296 expression were more likely to have lymph node metastasis. In vitro experiments showed that the knockdown of LINC01296 significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of HCC cells. Meanwhile, microRNA-760 was remarkably lowly expressed in LCa tissues and cells. Subsequent experiments indicated that LINC01296 was regulated by miR760 in LCa tissues, and high expression of linc0129 could limit microRNA-760 expression. Furthermore, the inhibition of microRNA-760 in HCC cells reversed the effect of LINC01296 knockdown on cell proliferation and invasion. CONCLUSIONS: LINC01296 could promote the proliferative ability and invasiveness of hepatoma cells by inhibiting the expression of microRNA-760. Moreover, its expression was closely related to lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis of LCa.

Evaluation on the air-borne ultrasound-assisted hot air convection thin-layer drying performance of municipal sewage sludge.

The thin-layer drying behavior of the municipal sewage sludge in a laboratory-scale hot air forced convective dryer assisted with air-borne ultrasound was investigated in between 70 and 130°C hot air temperatures. The drying kinetics in the convective process alone were compared to that for ultrasound-assist process at three ultrasound powers (30, 90, 150W). The average drying rates within whole drying temperature range at ultrasound powers of 30, 90 and 150W increased by about 22.6%, 27.8% and 32.2% compared with the convective drying alone (without ultrasound). As the temperature increasing from 70°C to 130°C, there were maximum increasing ratios for the effective moisture diffusivities of the sewage sludge in both falling rate periods at ultrasonic power of 30W in comparison with other two high powers. In between the ultrasound powers of 0 and 30W, the effect of the power on the drying rate was significant, while its effect was not obvious over 30W. Therefore, the low ultrasonic power can be just set in the drying process. The values of the apparent activation energy in the first falling rate period were down from 13.52 to 12.78kJmol-1, and from 17.21 to 15.10kJmol-1 for the second falling rate period with increasing the ultrasonic power from 30 to 150W. The values of the apparent activation energy in two falling rate periods with the ultrasound-assist were less than that for the hot air convective drying alone.

Effects of antihypertensive factor from erythrocyte of spontaneously hypertensive rats on the blood pressure and Ca2+ influx of arterial smooth muscle in rats.

The effects of a partially purified antihypertensive factor (AHF) from erythrocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) on the blood pressure (BP) and Ca2+ influx of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) in rats were studied. The results indicated that AHF could produce a marked prolonged depressor effect and significantly inhibit the Ca2+ influx dose-dependently on both SHR and renal hypertensive rat (RHR) either in acute or in chronic experiments, but not on normotensive rats. It suggested that the inhibition of Ca2+ influx might be one of the important mechanisms for AHF as an endogenous depressor substance.

[Alterations of the sympathetic activity, plasma catecholamine content and pulmonary surfactant in neurogenic pulmonary edema in rats].

Neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) was induced by microinjection of kainic acid into bilateral preoptic area (POA) of the hypothalamus in rats. Sympathetic discharge of the left adrenal branch was recorded, plasma catecholamine (CA) was assayed and the physical properties of pulmonary surfactant (PS) of the lung lavage were measured. The results showed that some physical properties of PS were changed in NPE, i.e. maximal surface tension (gamma Max) decreased, minimum surface tension (gamma Min) increased, recruitment index (RI), stability index and area of hysteresis loop (H-area) decreased. After injection of kainic acid into POA, the sympathetic discharge increased by 22.8 +/- 7.20% and 32.2 +/- 8.0% respectively at 30 and 60 min after injection and paralleled by a marked elevation of plasma catecholamine (CA). The results showed that PS activity had decreased at an early stage of NPE and the change of the plasma CA level was parallel to that of sympathetic discharge. It is suggested that generation of NPE may be related to some disorder of the autonomic nervous system at the level of hypothalamus, increase of sympathetic discharge, elevation of plasma CA level and fall of PS activity.

[Effects of antihypertensive factor from erythrocytes of essential hypertensive subjects on blood pressure in rats].

The effects of antihypertensive factor (AHF) from erythrocytes of essential hypertensive human subjects on the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), renal hypertensive rats (RHR), Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and Wistar rats were examined. Single intraperitoneal injection of AHF (1.6 mg/kg body weight) resulted in a significant decrease in SBP of SHR and RHR. At 10 min postinjection, AHF lowered the SBP in SHR by 34.0 mmHg. SBP recovered to the original level at 3 h. The maximal decrease of SBP in RHR by 92.5 mmHg was at 24h postadministration and the SBP did not recover until the 9th day. When AHF was administered via femoral vein (0.8 mg/kg body weight), the maximal decrease values of the SBP and the DBP were 42.8 and 48.2 mmHg in SHR at 12 min and 38.3 and 42.5 mmHg in RHR at 25 min postinjection respectively. The DBP in Wistar rats decreased considerably (from 96.7 +/- 12.9 to 83.3 +/- 11.7 mmHg) at 5 min postadministration of AHF, but no effect on DBP in WKY rats was observed. The depressor effect of AHF on SBP in RHR was dose-dependent. AHF could also antagonize the pressor effect of norepinephrine in Wistar rats.

[Further studies on the depressor effect of erythrocytic antihypertensive factor].

We previously demonstrated the presence of a long-acting antihypertensive factor (AHF) in the erythrocytes of essential hypertensive subjects (EHS). The present investigation demonstrates further that the AHF is also capable of producing a rapid and transient blood pressure lowering effect in stroke prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (from 26.8 +/- 1.7 to 20.1 +/- 1.5 kPa by 10-30 s, P < 0.001). An even more stronger antihypertensive effect could be found if the AHF prepared from normal subjects or rats was used. We also found that some hypertensive factor was present in EHS plasma, but not in normal subjects. The results of the present paper suggest that AHF deficiency and higher level of pressor substance may play an important role in the development of essential hypertension.

[Studies on reaction and antibacterial activity of 1-aryl-4-ethoxycarbonyl-5-amino-1,2,3-triazole with several electrophilic reagents].

Upon treatment of 1-aryl-4-ethoxycarbonyl-5-amino-1,2,3-triazoles (1) with excess acetic acid, acetic anhydride, acetyl chloride, benzoyl chloride, formamide, etc., fourteen new derivatives of 1 were obtained in good yields, such as, 1-H-4-ethoxycarbonyl-5-arylamino-1,2,3-triazoles (2b-d), 1-RCO-4-ethoxycarbonyl-5-arylamino-1,2,3-triazoles (3a-d), 1-aryl-4-ethoxycarbonyl-5-acetylamino-1,2,3-triazoles (4a-d) and 1-formoyl-4-ethoxycarbonyl-5-p-nitrophenylamino-1,2,3-triazole (5a), 1-benzoyl-4-ethoxycarbonyl-5-p-nitrophenylamino-1,2,3-triazoles (5b), 1-p-chlorobenzoyl-4-ethoxycarbonyl-5-p-nitrophenylamino-1,2,3-triazoles (5c). Some of them were rearrangement products. Structures of all heterocyclic compounds were identified by elemental analyses, IR, 1HNMR and MS. Inhibiting effects of some compounds on B. substilis, E. coli, E. aerogenes and S. aureus were also screened.

[Protective effect of Panax quinquefolium 20s-proto-panaxdiolsaponins on acute myocardial infarction in dogs].

OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effects of Panax quinquefolium 20s-protopanaxdiolsaponins extracted from leaves of P. quinquefolium (PQDS) on acute myocardial infarction(AMI) in dogs. METHOD: The parameters of myocardial infart size, the serum CK and LDH activity, myocardial metabolism, free radicals and coronary circulation etc were determined by using the model of ligation of LAD in the anaesthetized open-chest dogs. RESULT: In dogs treated with PQDS(in a dosage of 10 and 20 mg.kg-1 i.v. infusion), the myocardial infarct size, the activity of serum CK, LDH and the contents of serum FFA and LPO were decreased, whereas the activity of serum SOD and GSH-Px increased markedly. At the same time, myocardial blood flow was increased and coronary vascular resistance decreased significantly. CONCLUSION: PQDS has protective effect on myocardial ischemia by modifying metabolic dysfunction of FFA, inhibiting oxygen free radical mediated peroxidation of membrane lipids, enhancing endogenous antioxidase activity and increasing myocardial blood supply.

[The individualization of activities of blood vessels].

The functional activities of blood vessels in various organs have their own characteristics, named individuality of blood vessel. One of the most outstanding characteristics is that the responses of blood vessels in various organs to the same stimulation are different, even contradictory. This physiological characteristic of the blood vessel guarantees that the blood vessel can make adjustable responses in varying parts and under different conditions to fulfil the functional tasks of circulatory system and to meet the demands of blood supply of recipient organs. The study of vascular individualization would benefit to explain the mechanism of blood vessel activities and is also important in the study of pathogenesis of vascular diseases. This paper gives a brief description on the vascular mechanisms contributing to the individualization of blood vessel.

Contributions of heme oxygenase-1 in postconditioning-protected ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an oxidative stress-response gene up-regulated by various physiological and exogenous stimuli, has cytoprotective activities. Ischemic postconditioning (Postcon) can protect an organ from ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. In the present study, we investigated the potential contributions of HO-1 to Postcon-dependent protection against I/R injury in rat liver transplantation models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham group with laparotomy for liver exposure; I/R group with 24-hour cold ischemia of the donor liver; Postcon group with the same treatment as the I/R group plus ischemic Postcon; and zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP HO-1 inhibitor) + Postcon group treated the same as the Postcon cohort with donors pretreated using ZnPP 24 hours before the I/R injury. We measured liver tissue and peripheral blood samples collected at 6 hours after reperfusion and serum transaminase levels, histopathology, liver tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and HO-1 expression in the liver. RESULTS: Postcon significantly diminished the elevation of serum transaminases levels after I/R injury when compared with I/R and ZnPP+Postcon groups. Postcon treated rats showed significantly lower MDA production and higher SOD activity. HO-1 was induced in rat livers exposed to Postcon; its levels were obviously overexpressed after 6 hours in Postcon rats. Inhibiting the expression of HO-1, negated the protective effects of Postcon. CONCLUSIONS: Induction of HO-1 in the Postcon condition played a protective role against hepatic I/R injury and enhanced the early antioxidative activity. The protective effects of Postcon were significantly associated with greater intrahepatic HO-1 expression.