Perfusion Computer Tomography Assessment of the Effect of Angiotensin II On Blood Flow Distribution in Rabbits with Intrarenal VX2 Tumors.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Unlike other organs, which only have one set of capillary network, the renal microvasculature consists of two sets of capillary network series connected by efferent arterioles. Angiotensin II constricts the efferent glomerular artery. Hence, renal tumor blood flow (BF) distribution may be different from tumors in other organs. This study aims to investigate the effects of angiotensin II on the hemodynamics of intrarenal VX2 tumors using perfusion computed tomography(CT). METHODS: Twenty-four male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: groups A (blank controls), group B (negative controls), and group C (angiotensin II-treated animals). Group B and C were established to the model of intrarenal VX2 tumors. Furthermore, perfusion CT of the kidney was performed in each group. Prior to perfusion CT scan in group C, the mean arterial blood was elevated to 150-160 mmHg by angiotensin II. The BF, blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), capillary permeability-surface area product (PS), and relative permeability-surface area product (RPS) of tumors and renal tissues were calculated. RESULTS: Compared with normal renal cortex tissues in group A, the BF, BV and PS values of tumors in group B were significantly lower, MTT was prolonged and RPS increased. Compared with group B, only the RPS of these tumors increased from 83.23 ± 29.17% to 120.94 ± 31.84% by angiotensin II infusion. Angiotensin II significantly increased the RPS value of the renal cortex distant from the tumor (CDT) and the right renal cortex (RRC). CONCLUSIONS: Perfusion CT can accurately observe the influence of angiotensin II on normal and tumor BF in kidneys. This clarifies the effect of angiotensin II on intrarenal tumor hemodynamics.

[Study of association between oral lichen planus and depression in female patients].

PURPOSE: To explore the relationship among oral lichen planus(OLP), depression and gonadal hormones in female patients with OLP. METHODS: Sixty-seven cases of female out-patients with OLP were divided into erosion group (n=25) and non-erosion group(n=42). Meanwhile, 30 female out-patients with other benign oral lesion and without oral mucosa diseases were used as control group. Self-rating anxiety scale(SAS), self-rating depression scale(SDS), Hmiton anxiety scale(HAMA), Hmiton depression scale(HAMD) and life event scale(LES) were evaluated in all participants who were tested simultaneously with FSH, LH, E2, T, PRL as well as CORT and were screened with DSM-IV criteria for major depression. The data were analyzed by Chi-square test, Student's t test and Spearman rank correlation using SPSS10.0 software package. RESULTS: Ten cases (40% )met the DSM-IV diagnosis of depression in the erosion group, and 6(14.3% , 1(3.3%) in the non-erosion group and control group, respectively. The scores of SAS, SDS, HAMA, HAMD and the level of CORT in both the erosion and non-erosion groups were higher than those in the control group,but there was no significant difference between the erosion group and the non-erosion group. The score of LES in the erosion group was higher than the non-erosion group and control group, and there was no significant difference between the non-erosion group and control group. The total and negative life event scores of LES were positively correlated with the scores of SAS,SDS,HAMA and HAMD. The level of E2 and T in the erosion group was lower than the non-erosion group and control group. There was a negative correlation between the scores of SDS, HAMD and the level of E2 and T in the erosion group. CONCLUSIONS: Depression plays an important role in the development of OLP, and one mechanism may be gonadal hormone disturbance, with stress as the triggering factor. The estrin treatment is helpful to improve the treatment effect on OLP of erosion style, especially, for female patient with depression.