Expression and functions of transient receptor potential channels in liver diseases

Liver diseases constitute a major healthcare burden globally, including acute hepatic injury resulted from acetaminophen overdose, ischemia-reperfusion or hepatotropic viral infection and chronic hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Attainable treatment strategies for most liver diseases remain inadequate, highlighting the importance of substantial pathogenesis. The transient receptor potential (TRP) channels represent a versatile signalling mechanism regulating fundamental physiological processes in the liver. It is not surprising that liver diseases become a newly explored field to enrich our knowledge of TRP channels. Here, we discuss recent findings revealing TRP functions across the fundamental pathological course from early hepatocellular injury caused by various insults, to inflammation, subsequent fibrosis and hepatoma. We also explore expression levels of TRPs in liver tissues of ALD, NAFLD and HCC patients from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) or The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and survival analysis estimated by Kaplan-Meier Plotter. At last, we address the therapeutical potential and challenges by pharmacologically targeting TRPs to treat liver diseases. The aim is to provide a better understanding of the implications of TRP channels in liver diseases, contributing to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and efficient drugs.

Bilineage embryo-like structure from EPS cells can produce live mice with tetraploid trophectoderm

Self-organized blastoids from extended pluripotent stem (EPS) cells possess enormous potential for investigating postimplantation embryo development and related diseases. However, the limited ability of postimplantation development of EPS-blastoids hinders its further application. In this study, single-cell transcriptomic analysis indicated that the "trophectoderm (TE)-like structure" of EPS-blastoids was primarily composed of primitive endoderm (PrE)-related cells instead of TE-related cells. We further identified PrE-like cells in EPS cell culture that contribute to the blastoid formation with TE-like structure. Inhibition of PrE cell differentiation by inhibiting MEK signaling or knockout of Gata6 in EPS cells markedly suppressed EPS-blastoid formation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that blastocyst-like structures reconstituted by combining the EPS-derived bilineage embryo-like structure (BLES) with either tetraploid embryos or tetraploid TE cells could implant normally and develop into live fetuses. In summary, our study reveals that TE improvement is critical for constructing a functional embryo using stem cells in vitro.

Research progress of palmitoylation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and related liver diseases / 中国药科大学学报

@#Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a major public health hazard threatening human health worldwide.Yet, due to its complex pathogenesis, new drug development is difficult, with still insufficient clinical medication.Palmitoylation is a universal posttranslational modification of proteins catalyzed by palmitoyltransferase, affecting their stability, membrane localization and function.Recent studies have shown that palmitoylation is closely associated with NAFLD.This review summarizes the mechanisms of palmitoylation in NAFLD and analyzes the expression levels of the palmitoyltransferase family in liver tissues of NAFLD patients from GEO database, aiming to provide important clues to explore new mechanisms for NAFLD.

The biological safety and biocompatibility evaluation of the mixture of Paris polyphylla-chitosan for denture adhesive / 实用口腔医学杂志

Objective:To study the biological safety and biocompatibility of the mixture of Paris polyphylla-chitosan.Methods:According to the GB/T 16886.12-2005 standard,YY/T 0279-1995 standard and GBT16886.5-2003 standard,samples were prepared and tested by oral mucous membrane irritation test,cytotoxicity test and flow cytometry.Results:No local response to the mixture of Paris polyphylla-chitosan was found,and the visual observation and pathological findings of oral mucosa were normal and similar to that of the control group.Therefore,the mixture of Paris polyphylla-chitosan had no irritation response to oral mucosa.The mixture of Paris polyphylla-chitosan showed no cytotoxicity to L929 cells,and did not affect the cycle distribution and apoptosis of L929 cells.Conclusion:The mixture of Paris polyphylla-chitosan has good bio-safety and biocompatibility.

Research progresses of vitamin D and aquaporins / 国际儿科学杂志

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble steroid hormone.Vitamin D receptor(VDR),a type of nuclear receptor,recognized by Vitamin D has many biological functions and the pathway of 1,25 (OH)2D3/VDR plays an important role in human such as regulating calcium phosphate metabolism,glucose metabolism,lipid metabolism and water metabolism.Water channel protein aquaporin(AQP) is a kind of smaller hydrophobic trans-membrahe proteins,expressed in cell membrane of renal tubules,endocrine glands and red blood cells.Aquaporin plays a key role in the regulation of water balance and metabolism.Vitamin D has a positive effect in diabetic nephropathy via inhibiting renin-angiotensin system,while aquaporin is a new biological marker of chronic kidney disease and kidney injury.Latest studies have showed that the expression of aquaporin can be regulated by vitamin D.Therefore,Vitamin D and aquaoprin play an important role in chronic kidney disease and kidney injury.

CT manifestations of mycobacteria intracellulare lung disease / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To explore the CT characteristics of mycobacteria intracellulare lung disease.Methods CT imaging data of 37 patients with mycobacteria intracellulare lung disease in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively.Results The main CT signs of mycobacteria intracellulare lung disease included centrilobular nodules (97.3%), bronchiectasis (73.0%) and patchy consolidation (54.1%).Fibrous lesion(43.2%), diameter≥1 cm nodules(35.1%)and thin-wall cavity(29.7%) were also common found in patients.Thick-wall cavity and pleural effusion were not common.The typical CT manifestation was bronchiectasis accompany by the centrilobular nodules occurred in the right middle lobe and (or) left lingular lobe.Conclusion CT manifestations of mycobacteria intracellulare lung disease have some characteristics, and CT examination has a certain value in the diagnosis of this disease.

Updates on autoimmune myocarditis pathogenesis and its clinical significance / 国际儿科学杂志

Autoimmunity is influenced by genetic,immune,hormonal,and environmental factors.Viral infections may trigger autoimmunity.It has been established that autoimmunity may be a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of heart disease.Myocarditis is defined as inflammation of the heart muscle associated with impaired function of the myocardium.Myocarditis is considered as the most common cause of dilated cardiomyopathy.Myocarditis may be caused by infectious factors and noninfectious factors,noninfectious factors including autoimmune diseases with myocarditis.To gain a better understanding of autoimmune myocarditis,we summarize the pathogenesis and clinical significance of autoimmune myocarditis.

Investigation on the iodine nutritional status among the key population in Chenzhou City, Hunan Province,2015 / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective To study the iodine nutritional status among the key population in Chenzhou City of Hunan Province,and to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD).Methods According to the "Hunan Iodized Salt Monitoring Pilot Scheme",total of 11 counties (cities,districts) were selected in Chenzhou City in 2015.One township was selected by east,west,south,north and center in each county (city,district).Four villages were drawn from each township,and 15 households were selected from each village to collect salt samples.Forty children aged 8 to 10 years old (half male half female) were selected from each primary school in each township.Urine samples were taken and the goiter was examined.Totally 20 pregnant women were selected from each township and urine samples were collected.The content of iodine in salt samples and urine samples were detected by the method of direct titration and As-Ce catalytic spectrophotometry,respectively.The status of goiter was detected using palpation.Results Totally 3 300 salt samples were detected in 2015,the median of salt iodine content was 25.2 mg/kg.The coverage and qualified iodized salt consumption rates were 99.61％ (3 287/3 300) and 95.30％ (3 145/3 300),respectively,which achieved the standard for the elimination of IDD.Totally 2 200 urine samples of children aged 8 to 10 years old were tested,the median of urinary iodine was 238.98 μg/L.There was variations of urinary iodine in children aged 8 to 10 years old in each county (H =32.25,P ＜ 0.01).Totally 2 200 children aged 8 to 10 years old were checked,and no goiter was found.Totally 1 100 urine samples of pregnant women were detected,the median of urinary iodine was 204.25 μg/L.There was variations of urinary iodine in pregnant women in each county (H =117.47,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Totally,the iodine nutritional status among the key population is appropriate in Chenzhou City.However,surveillance and health education should be continuously strengthened in the future.

Investigation on the iodine nutritional status among the key population in Chenzhou City, Hunan Province,2015 / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective To study the iodine nutritional status among the key population in Chenzhou City of Hunan Province,and to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD).Methods According to the "Hunan Iodized Salt Monitoring Pilot Scheme",total of 11 counties (cities,districts) were selected in Chenzhou City in 2015.One township was selected by east,west,south,north and center in each county (city,district).Four villages were drawn from each township,and 15 households were selected from each village to collect salt samples.Forty children aged 8 to 10 years old (half male half female) were selected from each primary school in each township.Urine samples were taken and the goiter was examined.Totally 20 pregnant women were selected from each township and urine samples were collected.The content of iodine in salt samples and urine samples were detected by the method of direct titration and As-Ce catalytic spectrophotometry,respectively.The status of goiter was detected using palpation.Results Totally 3 300 salt samples were detected in 2015,the median of salt iodine content was 25.2 mg/kg.The coverage and qualified iodized salt consumption rates were 99.61％ (3 287/3 300) and 95.30％ (3 145/3 300),respectively,which achieved the standard for the elimination of IDD.Totally 2 200 urine samples of children aged 8 to 10 years old were tested,the median of urinary iodine was 238.98 μg/L.There was variations of urinary iodine in children aged 8 to 10 years old in each county (H =32.25,P ＜ 0.01).Totally 2 200 children aged 8 to 10 years old were checked,and no goiter was found.Totally 1 100 urine samples of pregnant women were detected,the median of urinary iodine was 204.25 μg/L.There was variations of urinary iodine in pregnant women in each county (H =117.47,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Totally,the iodine nutritional status among the key population is appropriate in Chenzhou City.However,surveillance and health education should be continuously strengthened in the future.

Clinical and MSCT manifestations of nontuberculous mycobacteria lung diseases / 中国医学影像技术

Objective To explore the clinical and MSCT manifestations of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) lung diseases.Methods Totally 102 patients with proved NTM lung diseases (NTM group) and 102 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB group) were included in the study.MSCT image and clinical data of patients were retrospectively analyzed.The t/x2 test were used to analyze the differences of clinical and imaging findings between two groups.Results The main clinical symptoms of NTM group were cough,expectoration,hemoptysis and shortness of breath after activity,which had no significant differences between two groups (all P＞ 0.05).NTM lung diseases patients often associated with chronic lung diseases such as pulmonary tuberculosis,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,pulmonary heart disease.The differences were significant between two groups (all P＜0.05).The main CT manifestations of NTM lung diseases included centrilobular nodules (89/102,87.25％),bronchiectasis (67/102,65.69％) and patchy consolidation (64/102,62.75％).Secondly,fiber cable disease,thin-wall cavities and pleural incrassation were common found.The detection rate of centrilobular nodules,bronchiectasis and thin-wall cavities in NTM group were significantly higher than those in TB group (x2 =3.995,22.675,12.823,respectively,all P＜0.05).Bronchiectasis were often found in the right middle lobe and/or left lingula lobe.Conclusion NTM lung diseases patients often associate with chronic lung disease.The CT manifestations of NTM lung diseases have certain characteristics.Especially when the bronchiectasis occurred in the right middle lobe and/or left lingular lobe and accompany by the centrilobular nodules,thin-wall cavity and antituberculous therapy being invalid,NTM lung diseases should be considered.

"The value of CTA ""spot sign"" in prediction of hematoma ecpansion in acute intrcerebral hemorrhage" / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the predictive value of skull CT angiography (CTA) original image spot in acute stage (3 ～6 h) of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH) hematoma enlargement.Methods A total of 45 cases of HICH patients was analyzed retrospectively,who accepted emergency head CT scan and CTA synchronization within 6 h occurrence.According to the CTA without original image spot,those cases were divided into two groups including patient's clinical symptoms worsen instant or regular 24 h after onset review head CT scan.According to the field the formula,the hematoma volume was calculated.The incidence rate of hematoma expansion was compared between two groups.Results (1) Of 45 cases,emergency skull CTA original image spot positive sign was 11 cases (24.4％),spot sign negative 34 cases (75.6％).The patient's age,gender,admission glasgow coma scale (GCS) score and head CT hematoma volume for the first time had no statistical difference between two groups (P ＞ 0.05).(2) There were 13 patients (28.9％) who occurred the hematoma enlargement,10 cases (10/11,90.9％) with the spot sign positive,and 3 case (3/34,8.8％) with spot sign negative.The hematoma expansion rate had statistical difference between two groups (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Cranial CTA original image spot can provides objective for patients with acute phase of HICH hematoma expansion imaging indicator,which helps to select hematoma in patients at high risk of easy to expand.Thus makes the treatment of patients with the class a more timely and accurate.

Psychological trauma of severe physical violence perpetrators with violent pedigree / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objetive To explore the feature and influence of psychological trauma of severe physical violence (SPV) perpetrators with or without violent pedigree,and to provide theoretical basis in the intervention of domestic violence.Methods The cases of domestic violence were identified based on appeals for help to police stations,local Women' s Federations,Residents' Community Committee,Center of Community Health Services,the judicial branch of city governments.The subjects were screened,recruited and divided into the group of the abusers with violent pedigree(AP,n=136),the group of abusers without violent pedigree (ANP,n =105),the group of non-abusers with violent pedigree(NAP,n=105) and the group of non-abusers without violent pedigree(NANP,n =198).The features and influence of psychological trauma in four groups were compared.Results (1) In AP group,above 6 traumatic events got 66.1 percent.The median of the number of traumatic events in AP group was 7,and outstanding statistical significance existed among four groups(P＜0.01).(2)The scores of avoidance (1.37± 0.79) and intrusion(1.40±0.80) and added scores of IES-R(4.08±2.30) in AP group were significantly higher than the other groups,while the scores of hyper-vigilance (1.31 ± 0.88) were higher than NAP (0.95 ± 0.75) and NANP group(0.94±0.83).The scores of intrusion(1.22±0.83) and hyper-vigilance (1.14±0.85) in ANP group were significantly higher than those in the NANP group(P＜0.05).(3)The scores of witness DV,childhood emotional,physical and sexual abuse and the numbers of traumatic events were positively related with the traumatic symptoms.Conclusion The traumatic experiences are significantly correlated with severe physical violence behavior among violence perpetrator with violent pedigree.Some traumatic experiences may be the protective factors of domestic violence behavior.In the violent pedigrees,abusers have the most severe traumatic symptoms and their traumatic symptoms,especially intrusion and hyperarousal symptoms,are positively correlated with severe physical violence behavior.

Decompression and internal fixation combined with interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To study decompression and internal fixation combined with interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar spinal ste-nosis. Methods One hundred cases with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis from January 2012 to June 2012 were researched. They were randomly divided into observation group and control group. Fifty patients in the control group,they were given treatment of interbody fusion. The observation group had 50 patients,using decompression and internal fixation on the basis of the control group. The back pain VAS score, leg pain VAS score,disc height,Cobb angle,ODI score of patients 3 months and 2 years after treatment were compared with each other. Re-sults After 3 months of treatment,back pain VAS score, leg pain VAS score,ODI scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group,the difference was significant (P<0. 05). Intervertebral height of observation group was higher than that of control group, the difference was significant(t=4. 110 0,P=0. 000 1). After 2 years of treatment,back pain VAS score,leg pain VAS score and ODI score of the observation group was still lower than those of the control group, the difference was significant(P<0. 05). Intervertebral height of the observation group still higher(P<0. 05). The change of Cobb angle was not obvious. Conclusion Decompression and internal fixation com-bined with interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis has a good effect,which is worthy of promotion in clinic.

Attributional retraining group therapy versus selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: neurobiological effects / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To compare the effects on neurobiological factors of attributional retraining group therapy (ARGT) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) for major depressive disorder (MDD),anxiety disorder (AD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).Methods Outpatients with MDD,AD and OCD were divided into ARGT group (n =63) and SSRI group (n =66) according to the sequence of entering the study.MDD,AD and OCD patients were respectively measured with Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA),and Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) before and after 8 weeks treatment.All subjects were detected of plasma serotonin,norepinephrine,cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone by radioimmunoassay before and after treatment.Results After treatment,HAMD scores of MDD patients were reduced significantly in both ARGT group (t =18.411,P =0.000) and SSRI group (t =20.092,P =0.000) ; HAMA scores of GAD patients were reduced significantly in both ARGT group (t =13.989,P=0.000) and SSRI group (t=15.815,P=0.000) ;Y-BOCS scores of OCD patients were reduced significantly in both ARGT group (t =5.465,P =0.000)and SSRI group (t =4.792,P =0.000).In ARGT group,MDD (t =3.145,P =0.006),AD (t =2.785,P =0.012) and OCD patients (t =2.877,P =0.011) decreased plasma cortisol concentrations significantly.In SSRI group,MDD (t =-2.923,P =0.010) and OCD patients (t =-2.301,P =0.035) improved plasma serotonin significantly and MDD patients (t =-2.333,P =0.033) improved plasma norepinephrine significantly.Conclusion ARGT can modulate plasma cortisol level.SSRI can up-modulate plasma serotonin level.The two therapies take effect by different biological ways.

Understanding the elder abuse by family members / 中南大学学报(医学版)

The issue of elder abuse not only influence on the elders' physical and mental health seriously, but also increase the social burden of geriatrics disease and the corresponding social welfare agencies. The text reviews the general concept, type and characteristics, total incidence rate and all kinds of abuse, and risk factors of social psychology and psychopathology, thus the elder abuse can be identificated and intervented.

Association between health related quality of life and severity of depression in patients with major depressive disorder / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the association between health related quality of life (HRQoL) and severity of depression in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).@*METHODS@#Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) was administered to 103 MDD patients at the baseline and 6-week follow-up. Hamilton Depression Rating for Depression (HAMD) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) were administered at the baseline, 2- and 6-week follow-up, respectively.@*RESULTS@#All SF-36 component scores in the 6-week follow-up were significantly higher than those at the baseline (P<0.01). The overall and subscale scores of HAMD except weight and CGI scores at the 2- and 6-week follow-up were significantly lower than those at the baseline (all P<0.01). The role-emotion score of the clinical remission group was significantly lower than that of the non-remission group. After a 6-week antidepressant treatment, all SF-36 component scores in both groups were significantly higher than those at the baseline, except body pain in the non-remission group. While scores of role-physical, general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotion and mental health were significantly higher in the remission group than those in the non-remission group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). A higher overall score of HAMD, scores of cognitive disturbance and CGI were significantly associated with a worse SF-36 at the baseline (P<0.05 or P<0.01). After the 6-week treatment, a worse health transition was significantly associated with higher scores of HAMD and sleep disturbance at the baseline (P<0.01), a worse general health and role-emotion were strongly associated with higher score of anxiety/somatization at the baseline (both P<0.05). Score of general health was positively associated with reduction rate of cognitive disturbance at the 2-week endpoint (P<0.05) and scores of vitality and reported health transition were positively associated with the reduction rate of sleep disturbance at the 2-week endpoint (both P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The increasing severity of depression was significantly associated with a worse HRQoL in patients with MDD. A 6-week antidepressant treatment may result in comparable HRQoL improvements. The components of HRQoL vary with severity of various symptoms of depression at the baseline and their early improvement after the treatment.

An analysis of victim's help-seeking behavior of domestic violence / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To analysis the victim's help-seeking behavior of domestic violence. Methods Using a multi-stage sampling strategy,306 victims of domestic violence were randomly selected and face-to-face interviewed. A self-designed help-seeking questionnaire of domestic violence was administered. Results 33.7%victims felt nowhere to seek help. The three leading helpers they seek were the other family member (34.6%),neighbor and friend( 17.0% ) and community office ( 12.5% ) ,and the community office had highest prevalence of effect (71. 1% ). The prevalence of seeking help from other family member and Women's Federation were highest in urban victims (P＜0.01) ,and seeking help from community office was highest in rural victims (P＜0.01). The three leading helpers were other family member (27.3%) ,community office ( 15.8% ) and neighbor and friend ( 10.9% ) by male victims, and other family member ( 38.0% ), neighbor and friend ( 20.0% ) and community office ( 10.8% ) by female victims. The prevalence of seeking help from neighbor and friend was higher in female than in male ( 20.0% vs 10.9%, x2 = 3. 980, P＜ 0.05 ). Adult victims seek help from other family member were less than children and the elderly (31.6% vs 42.0% and 46.9%, x2 =5.993, P＜0.05),and the elderly seek help from community office were more than adults and children (28.1% vs 12. 1% and 4.0%, x2 =9.930, P＜0.01 ). The victims with higher level of education were with higher prevalence of feeling nowhere to seek help (47.8%). Seeking help from other family member and community office were most in victims with lower level of education( 38.5% and 24.0% ,respectively) and were least in victims with higher level of education ( 17.4% and 0,respectively, P ＜ 0.05, P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusion Help-seeking behaviors of victims of domestic violence are varied by geographic settings,age,gender and education levels.

The impact of childhood abuse and exposure to family violence on college students' self-esteem / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate the impact of childhood abuse and exposure to family violence on college students'self-esteem.Methods Using Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-28 Item Short Form(CTQ-SF),Witness to interparental Violence Questionnaire,Self-esteem Scale(SES),and to investigate 412 college students tional abuse,emotional ignorance,physical ignorance or exposure to interparental physical violence had lower selfesteem(28.04±4.31,28.43±3.81,28.55±3.70,28.66±3.67,28.15±3.87),compared to the students withStudy showed the self-esteem was negatively correlated with childhood physical abuse,emotional abuse,sexual abuse,emotional ignorance,physical ignorance and exposure to interparental physical violence(r=-0.134,-0.216,-0.359,-0.250,-0.170,P＜0.01).Study showed most significant correlation between childhood emotional ignorance,childhood emotional abuse and self-esteem.Conclusion The experience of childhood abuse and ignorance,exposure to family violence have side effects on college students'self-esteem.The most important factors are childhood emotional ignorance and emotional abuse.

Impact of Psychological Preventive Intervention on Attitudes to Spousal Violence in Newly-married Couples / 中国心理卫生杂志

Objective:To reduce the approval attitude to domestic violence by psychological intervention for high-risk target groups.Methods:Two districts were randomly selected from the total 5 districts in Changsha,and 93 couples with high risk of spousal violence were screened from a random sample of 317 couples.They were divided into intervention group(42 couples)and control group(51 couples).Mental health education and trainings to prevent from spousal violence were provided to the intervention group 6～7 times within 6 months,while no intervention methods were provided to the control group.After 6 months,25 couples in the intervention group and 37 couples in the control group completed the investigation and evaluation on domestic violence attitude.Results:After 6 months,the number of couples that accepted or partly accepted domestic violence was reduced(15 couples vs.25 couples),also less than that of the control group( 43 couples).No significant difference was found in the control group between before and after the intervention(P>0.05).Conclusion:The psychological intervention to the newly-married couples can change their attitudes to domestic violence.

MRI features of spinal vertebra, spinal meninges and spinal cord tuberculosis / 中国医学影像技术

Objective To analyze MRI features of tuberculosis of spinal vertebra, spinal meninges and spinal cord. Methods Fifty cases with tuberculosis of spinal vertebra, spinal meninges or spinal cord confirmed by clinical and pathological evaluation were collected in this study. Findings of plain and Gd-DTPA enhanced MRI were retrospectively reviewed. Results In 40 patients with spinal vertebra tuberculosis, there were 137 involved vertebrae, 52 involved intervertebral discs, 30 peri-vertebra cold abscesses, 23 intraspinal abscesses and compression of spinal cord, 29 athological fractures, 12 posterior process of spinal columns, 2 involved appendix. There were 4 cases of spinal meninges tuberculosis, 4 of tuberculous myelitis and 2 combination of tuberculosis of spinal meninges and spinal column. Conclusion MRI, especially the contrast MRI, could accurately and early demonstrate the morphological and pathological changes of tuberculosis of spinal vertebra, spinal meninges and spinal cord.