[Solanine inhibits prostate cancer Du145 xenograft growth in nude mice by inducing cell cycle arrest in G1/S phase].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of solanine on the growth of human prostate cancer cell xenograft in nude mice. METHODS: Human prostate cancer Du145 cells were injected into the subcutaneous layers on the back of nude mice. After a week, the mice bearing subcutaneous tumor graft were randomly divided into solanine treatment group and saline control group for treatment for 3 weeks. The tumor grafts were then harvested to evaluate the inhibition rate. The mRNA and protein expressions of cell cycle-related genes in the tumors were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively, and tumor cell apoptosis was detected using TUNEL method. RESULTS: The tumor growth rate in solanine-treated group was significantly slower than that in the control group (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expressions of C-myc, cyclin D1, cyclin E1, CDK2, CDK4 and CDK6 were significantly inhibited by solanine. Solanine significantly up-regulated p21 mRNA and protein expression in the tumors and induced a higher apoptosis rate of the tumor cells than saline (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The tumor-inhibition effect of solanine is probably mediated by regulating the expressions of genes related with G1/S cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy with a "cooled-tip needle" for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma adjacent to the gallbladder.

BACKGROUND: Curative percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy is difficult or contraindicated in patients with tumors adjacent to the gallbladder because of the associated risk of injury. To date, no clinical data have been published regarding the effects and safety of percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy on tumors that are adjacent to the gallbladder. AIMS: We investigated the efficacy and safety of a combined treatment involving laparoscopic cholecystectomy and subsequent percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma adjacent to the gallbladder. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with hepatocellular carcinoma nodules (of less than 5 cm diameter) and adjacent to the gallbladder were treated by percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy with a "cooled-tip needle" after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated with enhanced helical computed tomography and sonography, and the rates of complete necrosis as well as postoperative complications were also analyzed. RESULTS: All of the patients exhibited complete necrosis of their tumor lesions after treatment with percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy. During the follow-up period (which lasted more than 21 months), 22 of 23 patients were alive. Recurrent nodules appeared in other subsegments, but not at the original site treated with percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy. Of note, no fatal complications were observed in any of the patients treated with percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that combined treatment comprising both laparoscopic cholecystectomy and subsequent percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy is an effective and safe approach for patients with small (<5 cm) hepatocellular carcinomas that are adjacent to the gallbladder.

Deficient proliferation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B viral infections and cirrhosis of the liver.

In this study, we determined whether the proliferation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is impaired in patients with chronic hepatitis B viral infection and cirrhosis of the liver. MSCs from 15 patients with chronic hepatitis B and cirrhosis of the liver (CIR-MSCs) and 11 normal donors (ND-MSCs) were collected and characterized in vitro. CIR-MSCs displayed an intact immunophenotype. The percentage of S-phase nuclei in CIR-MSCs (4.34%), however, was significantly lower than that in ND-MSCs (P < 0.001), indicating impaired proliferation of CIR-MSCs. Growth factor receptor expression (e.g., IGF1, PDGFalpha, and PDGFbeta) on the surface of CIR-MSCs decreased compared to that on ND-MSCs (P < 0.03). We found no evidence that CIR-MSCs were infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Deficient proliferation of CIR-MSCs may result from the decreased expression of growth factor receptors and unbalanced production of cytokines in patients with HBV infection. Our results indicate that autologous MSCs of patients with chronic hepatitis B and cirrhosis of the liver may not be suitable for therapeutic purposes.

A novel canine model of esophageal varices with a balloon dilatation constrictor.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The canine model of esophageal varices with an agar constrictor has been used for studies of the endoscopic treatment of esophageal variceal bleeding, but it has limitations in both stability and successful rate. This study was designed to enhance the model's efficiency and success rate by using a novel approach with a balloon dilatation constrictor. METHODS: We used 22 adult mongrel dogs to establish the model by progressively compressing and constricting the portal vein through a rechargeable balloon dilatation constrictor in combination with side-to-side portocaval shunt and inferior vena cava (IVC) ligation to increase portal vein pressure (PVP). The rechargeable balloon dilatation constrictor was composed of a hyaline polypropylene (PP) ring, a silica gel tube with a balloon, and an injection pedestal (silica gel) in an implantable vascular access port. The effects were evaluated with pre- and post-shunt PVP measurement, weekly gastroscopy, and portocaval venography. RESULTS: The mean PVP increased significantly from a preoperative (before side-to-side portocaval shunt and IVC ligation) 12.86 +/- 0.18 cmH(2)O to 26.75 +/- 0.39 cmH(2)O after the model had been established (P < 0.05). After the model was established, gastroscopy performed to assess esophageal varix size demonstrated four varicose veins of grade I, six of grade II, eight of grade III and four of grade IV. The portocaval angiography showed that the IVC and portal vein were completely blocked, that the anastomosis stoma was unobstructed and that the blood flow through esophageal varices via splenetic and gastric veins was blocked. CONCLUSION: The novel canine model developed with a rechargeable balloon dilatation constrictor is feasible and reliable for modeling esophageal varices.

Predictive value of D-dimer for portal vein thrombosis after portal hypertension surgery in hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis.

AIM: To evaluate the predictive value of D-dimer as a predictive indicator of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after portal hypertension surgery in hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis. METHODS: A prospective study was carried out in 52 patients who had undergone surgery for portal hypertension in hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis. Changes in perioperative dynamic D-dimer were observed. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values and negative predictive values of D-dimer were calculated, and ROC curves were analyzed. RESULTS: The D-dimer levels in the group developing postoperative PVT was significantly higher than those in the group not developing PVT (P = 0.001), and the ROC semiquantitative and qualitative analysis of D-dimer showed a moderate predictive value in PVT (semi-quantitative value Az = 0.794, P = 0.000; qualitative analysis: Az = 0.739, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Dynamic monitoring of D-dimer levels in patients with portal hypertension after surgery can help early diagnosis of PVT, as in cases where the D-dimer levels steadily increase and exceed 16 microg/mL, the possibility of PVT is very high.

Contribution of mononuclear bone marrow cells to carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

AIM: To study the inhibitory effect of mononuclear bone marrow cell (BMC) transplantation on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) -induced liver fibrosis in rats. METHODS: Rat liver fibrosis models were induced by CCl(4) and alcohol administration. After 8 wk, twenty rats were randomly allocated into treatment group (n = 10) and control group (n = 10). BMC were infused into the rats in treatment group via the portal vein, while heparinized saline was infused in control group. CCl(4) was hypodermically injected into the rats twice a week for 4 wk. At the end of wk 12, all rats were humanely sacrificed. Liver samples were taken and stained with HE or Masson trichrome. The general conditions, liver fibrosis (hydroxyproline and collagen fibre) and liver pathological grades in rats were evaluated. RESULTS: The general conditions of the rats in treatment group improved markedly, but not in control group. Hydroxyproline was 504.6 +/- 128.8 microg/g in treatment group, and 596.0 +/- 341.8 microg/g in control group. The percentage of collagen fibre was 3.75% +/- 0.98% in treatment group and 5.02% +/- 0.44% in control group. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Liver pathological grade decreased from grade IV to grade III partially in treatment group (P < 0.05) with no obvious improvement in control group (P > 0.05). There was a significant difference between treatment group and control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Transplantation of BMC can improve liver fibrosis due to chronic liver injury in rats.

Glutamine and recombinant human growth hormone protect intestinal barrier function following portal hypertension surgery.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of combined treatment of glutamine (Gln) and recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH) on intestinal barrier function following portal hypertension surgery. METHODS: This study was designed as a prospective, randomized and controlled clinical trial. Forty two patients after portal hypertension surgery were randomly assigned into 2 groups: control group (n = 20) and supplemental group (adding Gln and rhGH, n = 22). Every patient received isocaloric and isonitrogenous standard total parenteral nutrition (TPN) starting 3 d after surgery for 7 d. Blood samples were obtained before surgery and at the 3rd and 10th day postoperatively. Host immunity was evaluated by measuring levels of CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8, IgG, IgM and IgA, and the inflammatory responses were determined by assessing IL-2, TNF-alpha and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Intestinal permeability and integrity was evaluated by L/M test and histological examination, respectively. RESULTS: On postoperative d 10, CD4, CD4/CD8, IgG and IL-2 levels in supplemental group were significantly higher than those in control group (33.7 +/- 5.5 vs 31.0 +/- 5.4, P < 0.05, (1.17 +/- 0.32 vs 1.05 +/- 0.15, P < 0.05, 13.94 +/- 1.09 vs 12.33 +/- 1.33, P < 0.05, and 368.12 +/- 59.25 vs 318.12 +/- 45.65, P < 0.05, respectively), whereas the increase in serum TNF-alpha concentration was significantly reduced (41.02 +/- 27.56 vs 160.09 +/- 35.17, P < 0.05). The increase in L/M ratio was significantly lower in the supplemental group than in the control group (0.0166 +/- 0.0017 vs 0.0339 +/- 0.0028, P < 0.05). Moreover, mucosal integrity in the supplemental group was better than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Postoperative administration of TPN supplemented with Gln and rhGH in patients after portal hypertension surgery improves immune function, modulates inflammatory response, prevents the intestinal mucous membrane from atrophy and preserves intestinal integrity.