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P2X7 receptor is an ion channel receptor with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as its ligand, which is widely expressed in various immune cells and tissues. Activated P2X7 receptor is involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. P2X7 receptor is abnormally expressed in colon cancer, and plays a duel role of cancer-promoting and cancer-suppressing in colon cancer progression. When P2X7 receptor is activated by extracellular ATP, it can effectively inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of colon cancer cells through various mechanisms. In addition, P2X7 receptor can also promote the growth, invasion and metastasis of colon cancer. Understanding the activation of P2X7 receptor and its effect mechanism is of great significance for the treatment of colon cancer.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Shenshuning Recipe (SSNR) on gene expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in renal tissues in rats with glomerulosclerosis. METHODS: Glomerulosclerosis was induced in 42 rats by unilateral nephrectomy and intravenous injection of doxorubicin. Then these 42 rats were randomly divided into three groups: untreated group, SSNR-treated group and benazepril-treated group. Another eight rats were included into sham-operation group. The rats in the SSNR-treated group and the benazepril-treated group were fed SSNR or benazepril respectively for 8 weeks. The levels of 24 h urine protein (Upr), serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of rats in each group were examined. The renal morphological changes were observed under microscope, and the diameter of glomerular capillary, mesangial matrix and glomerulosclerosis index were analyzed by image analysis software. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was used to detect the gene expression of HGF in the renal tissues. RESULTS: The levels of 24 h Upr, serum Cr and BUN in the untreated group were remarkably increased than those in the sham-operation group (P<0.01). The pathological morphological changes in the untreated group showed that the glomerulosclerosis was diffused around the renal tissue and the capillaries were shrunk. The expression level of mesangial matrix was up-regulated and the glomerulosclerosis index was 3.32+/-0.35. The expression level of HGF mRNA in the untreated group was obviously lower than that in the sham-operation group (P<0.05). The levels of 24 h Upr, serum Cr and BUN in the SSNR-treated group and the benazepril-treated group were remarkably decreased as compared with those in the untreated group, while the expression levels of HGF mRNA were both obviously higher than that in the untreated group (P<0.01). The pathological morphological changes in the SSNR-treated group and the benazepril-treated group were both alleviated. There was no significant difference in therapeutic effect between the SSNR-treated group and the benazepril-treated group. CONCLUSION: Shenshuning Recipe can up-regulate the expression of HGF mRNA, decrease the mesangial matrix, and improve the renal function, so that it may retard the development of glomerulosclerosis.
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BACKGROUND: In post-menopausal women, the reduction of estrogen level is followed by gradual increase of bone absorption, accompanied by increased cytokine synthesis and bone metabolism disorder. Observation of serum interleukin-6(IL-6), osteocalcin(OC), estradiol(E2)and urinary pyridinoline (PYD) in women with osteoporosis may help understand role of these factors in the onset and development of osteoporosis.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of serum IL-6, OC, E2, and urinary PYD levels with bone metabolism in women with osteoporosis, so as to identify the factors responsible for the occurrence and development of osteoporosis.DESIGN: A case-controlled clinical observation.SETTING: Central Laboratory of Orthopedics, Nanshan People's Hospital of Shenzhen City.PARTICIPANTS: Between January 1999 and December 2001, 25 post-menopausal women with osteoporosis aged 42 -69 years were selected from the Department of Orthopedics, Nanshan People' s Hospital of Shenzhen to constitute the experimental group, with 10 healthy women from the same hospital serving as control group.METHODS: Two milliliters of fasting venous blood and 2 mL urine samples were collected from women in both groups in the morning to determine the contents of IL-6, OC, PYD and E2, respectively.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum IL-6, OC, E2 and urinary PYD levels in the subjects.RESULTS: In the experimental group, the IL-6 level was(201.0±79. 9) ng/L, OC(25.5 ± 16.2) μg/L, and PYD(41.3 ±9.7) nmol/mmol (creatinine), all significantly higher than those in control group( t = 2. 159 -2. 953, P < 0.05-0.01) . Serum E2 level in the experimental group (79. 8 ± 73.2) ng/L, however, was significantly lower than that in control group ( t = 2.071, P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: IL-6, OC, PYD and E2 may play important roles in the occurrence and development of osteoporosis, and adjustment of the levels of these factors can be necessary in the treatment of women with osteoporosis.
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Objective To introduce the procedure and the clinical experience of two lengthened vascular pedicled flaps in hands to repair soft tissue defect distal to the middle segment of finger. Methods From June 2002 to April 2004, 6 cases with skin and soft tissue defect distal to the middle segment of index and middle finger were treated by the dorsal hand U-I shaped vascular pedicled island flaps, the large area of the repair flap was 5.0 cm?2.8 cm, and the small area was 3.8 cm?2.5 cm, an average of the pedicle length was 8.0 cm. 10 cases with skin and soft tissue defect beyond the middle segment of 2 to 4 finger were treated by the digital artery reversed island flaps of adjacent digit, the large area of the repair flap was 4.6 cm?2.5 cm, and the small area was 2.5 cm?2.4 cm, an average of the pedicle length was 4.0 cm. There were 11 males and 5 females, aged from 18 to 42 years (average, 26 years). Results All flaps survived in 16 cases. After 8 to 24 months postoperative follow-up, with an average of 15 months, the blood supply and texture of the flaps were excellent, their outer aspect and function were satisfactory. Among 4 cases of the dorsal hand U-I shaped vascular pedicled island flaps with connecting nerves, the two-point discrimination was 9 to 11 mm, while in 9 cases of the digital artery reversed island flaps with connecting nerves, the two-point discrimination was 6 to 8 mm. Of the 3 cases that the nerves were disconnected, the sensation of the healed flaps only recovered to S2 or S3. Conclusion The dorsal hand U-I shaped vascular pedicled island flaps and the digital artery reversed island flaps of adjacent digit can form a longer vascular pedicle, to repair the skin and soft tissue defect distal to the middle segment of finger. They are the reliable flaps with good blood supply, and can recover the sensation through connecting nerves.