Free SiO2 promotes the foaming of alveolar macrophages / 医学研究生学报

Objective Lipid metabolism disorders caused by cell foam plays an important role in atherosclerosis,but wheth-er it is involved in the development and progression of silicosis has not yet been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of free silica(SiO2) in inducing foam cell formation of NR8383 alveolar macrophages in rats. Methods NR8383 cells were cultured in vitro by the routine method (the control group) or in 50 μg/mL SiO2 (the SiO2group), 50 μg/mL ox-LDL (the ox-LDL group), or 50 μg/ml SiO2and ox-LDL (the model group), all for 36 hours. The survival rate of the cells was calculated with the cell proliferation and cytotoxicity assay (MTS),the lipid deposition observed by oil red O staining,the levels of total cholesterol (TC), free cholesterol (FC) and cholesterol esters(CE) measured by ELISA,and the mRNA and protein expressions of PPARγ and CD36 in the cells determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Results Compared with the control group,the cells treated with ox-LDL showed a significantly increased survival rate, which reached the peak at 50 μg/mL ([1.501±0.201]%) (P<0.05). Foam cells were observed in the SiO2,ox-LDL and model groups,but most significantly in the model group. In comparison with the ox-LDL group,the model group exhibited remarkable increases in TC([14.195±2.260] vs[35.764±4. 226] μg/mg,P<0.05),FC([7.722±0.690] vs[10.049±0.698] μg/mg,P<0.05),CE([6.473±1.707] vs[25.715±4.243] μg/mg,P<0.05),and CE/TC (45.057% vs 71.642%, P<0.05). Conclusion Free SiO2promotes the lipid metabolism disorder in macrophages and enhances the foaming of the cells,in which PPARγ and CD36 may play an important role of regulation.

Association of surfactant protein D gene polymorphisms at rs3088308 and rs721917 with susceptibility to silicosis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between polymorphisms of surfactant protein D (rs3088308 and rs721917) and the susceptibility to silicosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This case-control study included 125 silicosis patients and 125 individuals exposed to industrial dust but without silicosis (control group), who were strictly matched with the case group for age, gender, work type and cumulative length of dust exposure. The rs3088308 and rs721917 polymorphisms of surfactant protein-D were detected in all the participants using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies of T/T, T/A and A/A genotypes of surfactant protein-D rs3088308 locus were 22.2%, 71.2% and 5.6% in the case group, significantly different from the frequencies of 17.6%, 58.4% and 24.0% in the control group, respectively (P<0.05). The frequencies of C/C, C/T and T/T genotypes of rs721917 locus were 17.6%, 56.8% and 25.6% in the case group, similar to the frequencies of 15.2%, 60.0% and 24.8% in the control group, respectively (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Surfactant protein-D rs3088308 polymorphism is significantly associated with silicosis, and the T allele may be a risk factor for silicosis in individuals exposed to industrial dust.</p>

Experimental treatment of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis with human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the therapeutic effect and possible action mechanism of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) in the treatment of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The second generation of hUCB-MSCs was cultured to the fourth generation. Sixty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats (clean grade) were randomly and equally divided into 4 groups: bleomycin group, stem cell treatment group, dexamethasone treatment group, and negative control group. A pulmonary fibrosis model was established by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin in the bleomycin group, stem cell treatment group, and dexamethasone treatment group. The stem cell treatment group was injected with stem cells labeled with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (Brdu) via the caudal vein immediately after the model was established. The dexamethasone treatment group was intraperitoneally injected with dexamethasone for 7 d from the next day after the model was established. The negative control group was given an equal volume of normal saline by intra-tracheal instillation. In each group, 5 rats were sacrificed in the 7th, 14th, and 28th days. The expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and Brdu-labeled stem cells were observed by HE and Masson staining and immunohistochemistry. Lung hydroxyproline content was determined by acid hydrolysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The stem cell treatment groups had Brdu-labeled stem cells seen in lung tissue in the 7th, 14th, and 28th days. Compared with the negative control group, the bleomycin group, stem cell treatment group, and dexamethasone treatment group had significantly increased scores of alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis (P < 0.05). In the 7th, 14th, and 28th days, the scores of alveolitis in stem cell treatment group and dexamethasone treatment group were significantly lower than those in bleomycin group (P < 0.05); in the 28th day, the scores of pulmonary fibrosis in stem cell treatment group and dexamethasone treatment group were significantly lower than that in bleomycin group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in scores of alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis between the dexamethasone treatment group and stem cell treatment group (P > 0.05). Compared with the bleomycin group, the stem cell treatment group and dexamethasone treatment group had significantly decreased number of TGF-β1-positive cells and hydroxyproline content in lung tissue at all time points (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in number of TGF-β1-positive cells and hydroxyproline content in lung tissue between the stem cell treatment group and dexamethasone treatment group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>hUCB-MSCs can be transplanted into damaged lung tissue and effectively reduce alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis in the early stage of pulmonary fibrosis. The action mechanism of hUCB-MSCs may involve inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1 and reducing the formation of collagen.</p>

Expression of COX10 in human non-obstructive azoospermia testes / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the expression of COX10 mRNA in the testes of non-obstructive azoospermia patients and normal men.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cDNA microarray containing COX10 and some other genes as RBM and EIF1AY was used to identify the differential gene expression profiles in the normal and azoospermic testes. The cDNA probes were prepared by labeling mRNA from azoospermic and normal testis tissues with Cy5-dUTP and Cy3-dUTP respectively through reverse transcription. The mixed cDNA probes were then hybridized with cDNA microarray. Later the fluorescent signals were scanned and the values of Cy5-dUTP and Cy3-dUTP on each spot were calculated and analyzed. After that an ISH was employed to detect the expression of COX10 mRNA in 10 fertile and 39 non-obstructive azoospermic testes, and the expression levels were compared to evaluate the significance.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We obtained 128 differentially expressed genes that might be related with azoospermia, among which 56 were up-regulated and 72 down-regulated, with the expression of COX10 significantly decreased. In situ hybridization confirmed that the mRNA expression of COX10 was stronger in the spermatogenic cells of the normal fertile than the azoospermic testes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>COX10 may play a certain role in the development and progression of azoospermia. The technique of cDNA microarray can be applied to further studies of screening non-obstructive azoospermia associated genes.</p>

Expressions of cadherin molecules CDH18 and PCDH17 in human azoospermic testes / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expressions of cadherin molecules CDH18 and PCDH17 in normal and azoospermic human testes and their significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We studied the routine pathological slices of normal and non-obstructive azoospermic human testis tissues for changes in the tight junction of Sertoli-germ cells, and identified the differential gene expression profiles of the normal and azoospermic testis tissues using cDNA microarrays containing multiple cadherin molecules. The results were confirmed by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Abnormal tight junction of the Sertoli-germ cells was observed in 37.5% of the azoospermic testis samples, and obvious changes were seen in the expressions of some cadherin molecules, with down-regulation of CDH18 and PCDH17.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cadherin molecules such as CDH18 and PCDH17 may play a certain role in the development and progression of azoospermia, which might be related with the abnormal tight junction of the Sertoli-germ cells.</p>

Expression and significance of Rap1A in testes of azoospermic subjects / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To evaluate the Rap1A mRNA expression and its significance in the testes of normal and azoospermic subjects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cDNA microarray that contained Rap1A and some other genes such as RBM, EIF1AY was used to identify the differential gene expression profiles between the normal and azoospermic testes. cDNA probes were prepared by labeling mRNA from azoospermic and normal testicular tissues through reverse transcription with Cy5-dUTP and Cy3-dUTP, respectively. The mixed cDNA probes were then hybridized with cDNA microarray (each containing 4096 unique human cDNA sequences). The fluorescent signals were scanned and the values of Cy5-dUTP and Cy3-dUTP on each spot were analyzed and calculated. In situ hybridization was employed to detect the expression of Rap1A in the testes of 10 fertile and 39 azoospermic subjects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One hundred and twenty-eight differentially expressed genes were found to be possibly related to azoospermia, of which 56 were up-regulated and 72, down-regulated genes. The mRNA expression of Rap1A in the spermatogenic cells of azoospermic was stronger than that in those of the fertile testes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Rap1A may play certain roles in the development of azoospermia.</p>

Changes of carbon monoxide, nitric oxide levels and heme oxygenase system in acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by oleic acid / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate possible role of carbon monoxide (CO) and heme oxygenase (HO) in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by oleic acid (OA) and to compared with that induced by nitric oxide (NO).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>ARDS model was established in rats by oleic acid injection and concentrations of CO and NO in pulmonary arterial, carotid jugular blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured sequentially. Immunohistochemical method was used to determine the expression of HO in the lung.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Pulmonary arterial pressure in ARDS rats elevated 10 min after OA injection [(13.80 +/- 1.87) mm Hg to (19.51 +/- 5.02) mm Hg]. At 0.5 h after OA injection, concentration of CO in pulmonary artery began to increase and was markedly higher at 2 h than that in control rats [(0.135 +/- 0.010) g/L versus (0.116 +/- 0.005) g/L] (P < 0.01), also higher than that in carotid artery [(0.117 +/- 0.013) g/L] and in jugular vein [(0.107 +/- 0.018) g/L] in the same group, and maintained at a relatively high level thereafter. Concentration of CO in BALF also increased at 0.5 - 24 h and diminished at 72 h, as compared with that in controls. Concentration of NO in blood of pulmonary and systemic circulation all elevated markedly at 0.5 h and 2 h after OA injection, and then declined to normal at 12 h. Concentration of NO in BALF was significantly higher than that in controls. Arterial blood gas analysis showed that PaO2 markedly decreased in ARDS rats, especially at 2 h after OA injection. HO-2 could be expressed in the lung tissues of normal rats with immunohistochemical method, the strongest in epithelial cells of the bronchi, and HO-1 could only be expressed in pulmonary blood vessel walls, bronchial epithelial cells, alveolar epithelial cells and inflammatory cells of ARDS rats, lasting for 72 h after OA injection, consistent with that of CO level.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ARDS rats showed a lastecl increase of CO level in pulmonary blood circulation, suggesting CO/HO system might play a more important role in modulation of blood vessel tension than NO might do in pathogenesis of ARDS.</p>

A study of aspermia-related genes by genchips and analysis of the RAP1A gene / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the differential gene expression profiles between the normal and aspermia human testes by genechips.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Probes were prepared from mRNA extracted from both normal and aspermia testes and employed on Biostar H-40s genechips to detect the differential gene expression profiles. A distinctly up-regulated gene RAP1A was analyzed by bibliogrphic retrieval.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six hundred and twenty-three differential expressed genes were found, among which the distinctly up-regulated gene RAP1A was closely related to human sperm regulation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Screening the differential gene expression profiles between the normal and aspermia human testes by genechips can be used in the study of aspermia-related genes.</p>

Protective effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) on germ cell apoptosis in experimentally cryptorchid rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the protective effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) on the germ cell apoptosis in the rat cryptorchid.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immature rats (22 day-old Sprague Dawley) were subjected to unilateral cryptorchid. Thirty rats were divided into three groups: sham operation group (testes still in the scrotum after operation); operation group; operation + L-NAME group(given L-NAME 10 mg/kg after operation, dip). Seven days after operation germ cell apoptosis was detected by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated-dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL). Biochemical parameters (NO, NOS) were evaluated with spectrophotometric determination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At the 7th day after the operation, compared with the control, the number of apoptotic germ cells in the cryptorchid testis was increased significantly, but the testis weight was decreased predominantly(P < 0.01). The levels of NO and NOS in the cryptorchid were significantly higher than the control.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The levels of NO and NOS might be involved in the germ cell apoptosis in the cryptorchid; L-NAME could protect the germ cell from apoptosis in experimentally cryptorchid rats by reducing the activity of NOS and reducing the level of NO in the testis.</p>

Study on the changes in circulating endothelial cells and hemorheology of lung in rats with acute lung injury by chemicals / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the mechanism of pulmonary circulation obstacle in chemicals-induced acute lung injury and its clinical significance.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Pulmonary arterial intubation, circulating endothelial cells (CEC) isolation and hemorheology detection technique were used to observe the changes of CEC numbers and hemorheology in rat pulmonary vascular system during oleic acid-induced acute lung injury (ALI).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The numbers of CEC were obviously increased even in the early phase of ALI [from (2.06 +/- 0.48)/0.9 micro l to (5.50 +/- 0.54)/0.9 micro l]; there was no obvious change in whole blood viscosity under high shear rate (200 s(-1), 30 s(-1)) but the whole blood viscosity and hematocrit were remarkably increased in pulmonary artery blood at low shear rate (5 s(-1), 1 s(-1)) (P < 0.05). Erythrocytes had increasing tendency, whereas platelets were also decreased but there was no statistical significance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The deterioration of pulmonary circulation may be the key point in the pathogenesis of ALI; the injury and dysfunction of pulmonary capillary endothelial cells (PCEC) may be the common starting phase in the pathological processes of ALI; the detection of CEC may offer a new valuable and sensitive index for diagnosis of ALI.</p>

The relationships of PSA, FPSAR, clinical and pathological stage in patients with prostate cancer / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To investigate the relationship between clinical and pathological stage, serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentration and free-to-total PSA ratio (FPSAR) in patients with prostate cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical and pathological stage were determined on the basis of pathological examination and clinic material in 42 prostate cancer patients treated by prostatectomy. PSA and FPSAR were measured before the operation. Spearman rank correlation was applied to evaluate the relationship between clinical and pathological stage, serum PSA concentration and FPSAR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum PSA concentration was significantly positively correlated with pathological stage(P < 0.05) but not correlated with clinical stage (P > 0.05) in prostate cancer patients. FPSAR was significantly correlated with pathological stage and negatively correlated with clinical stage in prostate cancer patients (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>FPSAR is a more powerful predictor of clinical stage, pathological stage and prognosis than PSA.</p>