[The role of Treg/Thl7 and calprotectin in ulcerative colitis rat model].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the roles of helper T cells (Th), regulatory T cells (Treg) and calprotectin in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) in the rat model. METHODS: Thirty rats were randomly divided into normal control (NC) group and UC model (UC) group. The rats of UC group were replicated using the mixed solution of 2, 4,6 trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) / ethanol through the intestinal tract. The rats of NC group were given NaCI solution enema. Three weeks after UC modeling, the morphology changes of colon tissue were observed. The serum levels interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-10, IL-17, IL-23 and calprotectin (CP) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The changes of Treg in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry. The expressions of IL-17, CP, and transcriptional regulatory proteins of decision Treg cell differentiation and function (FoxP3) in colon tissue were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: UC group was observed with obvious colon tissue injury and inflammatory cells infiltration in intestinal tissue, compared with NC group, the expression of IL-1ß,IL-17,IL-23,CP in serum were increased, while the expression of IL-10, the number of Treg were decreased in UC group (P<0. 05 or P(<0. 01). Compared with NC group, the expression of IL-17, CP in colon tissue were significantly increased in UC group (P(<0.05), and the expression of FoxP3 was increased (P(0. 05). CONCLUSION: Expressions of calprotectin, IL-17 of intestinal tissue, serum are increased in rat of ulcerative colitis, which to lead to the imbalance of Treg/Thl7 cells, and elevate inflammatory responses. These factors have promote the occurrence and development of ulcerative colitis.

Significance of elevated levels of collagen type IV and hyaluronic acid in gastric juice and serum in gastric cancer and precancerous lesion.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Collagen type IV and hyaluronic acid (HA) are the major components of basement membrane and extracellular matrix, respectively. Cathepsin D is an aspartyl lysosomal protease involved in the degradation of the basement membrane and extracellular matrix. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical significance of collagen type IV and hyaluronic acid in gastric juice and serum in diagnosis of gastric cancer and the degrading effect of cathepsin D on collagen type IV and HA. METHODS: Fifty gastric cancer patients were enrolled in our study compared with 41 patients with precancerous lesion and 30 control subjects. Collagen type IV and HA in gastric juice and serum were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. Expression of cathepsin D and collagen type IV in tissue were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: The contents of collagen type IV and HA in gastric juice and HA in serum were significantly higher in patients with gastric cancer than those in patients with precancerous lesion and control group (p < 0.05, p < 0.0001). Gastric cancer patients with lymph node metastasis had a higher level of collagen type IV and HA in gastric juice than those in patients without metastasis (p = 0.049, p = 0.043). The expression of cathepsin D had significantly increased in patients with gastric cancer compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). The continuous expression of collagen type IV in basement membrane in gastric cancer group was lower than that in the precancerous lesion group and control group (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of collagen type IV and HA in gastric juice and serum may provide a simple aid in diagnosing gastric cancer and evaluating whether metastasis is occurring or not.

[Analysis of Genetic Screening in Couples of Reproductive Age for Thalassemia in Lingshui Li Autonomous County of Hainan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetic carrier rate of thalassemia and its gene mutation types as well as the distribution characteristics among the people in Lingshui Li autonomous county of Hainan province, so as to provide the basis for making the prevention programs of thalassemia in administrative departments. METHODS: Samples were collected from couples undergoing premarital and pregestational screenings, in which the positive ones in preliminary screening were further tested by genetic diagnoses and the genotypes were analyzed. RESULTS: The rate of thalassemia gene carriers was 19.41% （274/1412） of the couples of childbearing age in Lingshui Li autonomous County of Hainan Province. In these carriers,α-thalassemia accounted for 83.21%（228/274）, ß-thalassemia for 8.03%（22/274）, and both α-and ß-thalassemia gene accounted for 8.76% （28/274）. CONCLUSION: The carrying rate of thalassemia gene in population Lingshui Li autonomous county of Hainan province is high, and its distribution has geographical characteristics,the major type is α-thalassemia. Blood screening and genetic diagnosis of thalassemia should be strengthened, and corresponding measures should be taken to reduce its gene frequency.

Emodin promoted pancreatic claudin-5 and occludin expression in experimental acute pancreatitis rats.

AIM: To investigate the effect of emodin on pancreatic claudin-5 and occludin expression, and pancreatic paracellular permeability in acute pancreatitis (AP). METHODS: Experimental pancreatitis was induced by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct. Emodin was injected via the external jugular vein 0 or 6 h after induction of AP. Rats from sham operation and AP groups were injected with normal saline at the same time. Samples of pancreas were obtained 6 or 12 h after drug administration. Pancreatic morphology was examined with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Pancreatic edema was estimated by measuring tissue water content. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 level were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pancreatic paracellular permeability was assessed by tissue dye extravasation. Expression of pancreatic claudin-5 and occludin was examined by immunohistology, quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. RESULTS: Pancreatic TNF-α and IL-6 levels, wet/dry ratio, dye extravasation, and histological score were significantly elevated at 3, 6 and 12 h following sodium taurocholate infusion; treatment with emodin prevented these changes at all time points. Immunostaining of claudin-5 and occludin was detected in rat pancreas, which was distributed in pancreatic acinar cells, ductal cells and vascular endothelial cells, respectively. Sodium taurocholate infusion significantly decreased pancreatic claudin-5 and occludin mRNA and protein levels at 3, 6 and 12 h, and that could be promoted by intravenous administration of emodin at all time points. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that emodin could promote pancreatic claudin-5 and occludin expression, and reduce pancreatic paracellular permeability.