Shenhuang Plaster Application Improves Gastrointestinal Motility in Mice with Postoperative Ileus through Intestinal Microbiota.

Postoperative ileus (POI) is a common surgical complication, and its incidence remains high. Shenhuang Plaster (SHP) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine with a definite curative effect on postoperative intestinal dysfunction; however, the mechanisms involved in these effects are unclear. Accordingly, in this study, we constructed a POI mouse model and used the intestinal flora as the target to explore the regulatory effect of SHP on gastrointestinal motility. The results illustrated that SHP applied at the Shenque acupoint promoted the recovery of gastrointestinal motility, relieved intestinal villus atrophy and basal damage caused by POI, protected the integrity of intestinal tissue morphology, and alleviated the inflammatory response in the intestinal tissue of POI model mice. In addition, we clarified the role of the intestinal flora in the occurrence and development of POI, further evaluated the changes in the intestinal flora in each group of mice, and analysed the regulatory effect of SHP on the intestinal flora in mice with POI. The results suggested that SHP might improve gastrointestinal motility disorder in POI mice by effectively regulating intestinal flora.

Impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication on the gastric microbiome.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication has been used for many years. Yet, the impact of this eradication on the normal gastric microflora is not well understood. In this study, we explored the effect of eradication on the stomach microbial community and its recovery after successful Hp eradication. METHODS: Among the 89 included patients, 23, 17, 40, and 9 were included in the Hp-negative, Hp-positive, successful eradication, and failed eradication groups, respectively. Four subgroups were further determined according to disease status (Hp-negative chronic gastritis [N-CG], Hp-negative atrophic gastritis [N-AG], successful-eradication chronic gastritis [SE-CG], and atrophic gastritis with successful eradication [SE-AG]). During the endoscopic examination, one piece of gastric mucosa tissue was obtained from the lesser curvature side of the gastric antrum and gastric corpus, respectively. In addition, 16S rDNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the gastric mucosal microbiome. RESULTS: In the Hp-negative group, the gastric microbiota was dominated by five phyla: Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Fusobacteria. After successfully eradicating Hp, the bacterial flora in the stomach recovered to a considerable extent. In the failed eradication group, the flora was similar to the flora in Hp-positive subjects based on the alpha and beta diversities. Among the groups, Curvibacter and Acinetobacter were enriched in the presence of Hp (i.e., failed eradication and Hp-positive groups), suggesting that these two genera could be used as biomarkers in the symbiotic flora in the presence of Hp. SE-CG was characterized by an increase in Firmicutes taxa and a decrease in Proteobacteria taxa compared with N-CG. SE-AG was characterized by a decrease in Firmicutes relative to N-AG. Finally, no differences were found in the pairwise comparisons of nitrate and nitrite reductase functions of the microflora among the four subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: After Hp infection, the diversity and relative abundance of gastric microflora were significantly decreased. Yet, gastric microbiota could be partially restored to the Hp-negative status after eradication. Still, this effect was incomplete and might contribute to the long-term risks.

Gastrointestinal Motility and Gut Hormone Secretion in response to Shenhuang Plaster in a Postoperative Ileus Rat Model.

Postoperative ileus (POI), a gastrointestinal function disorder, is a complication that arises from surgery. Shenhuang plaster (SHP) application to the Shenque acupoint (CV8) to promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function has achieved definite curative effects in clinical settings; however, the underlying pharmacological mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we evaluated the effects of SHP using a Sprague Dawley rat POI model. Then, gastrointestinal transit in different rat groups was evaluated by the movement of fluorescein-labelled dextran. Ghrelin, obestatin, motilin (MTL), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) plasma concentrations were measured via a radioimmunoassay. The expression of the ghrelin and obestatin receptors (GHS-R1α and GPR39) in the intestinal muscularis of rats in different groups was comparatively identified via western blotting. The results indicated that SHP application improved gastrointestinal motility in POI model rats. SHP application significantly increased ghrelin concentration and the expression of its receptor and inhibited obestatin concentration and the expression of its receptor in blood. Further, ghrelin concentration and the capability of gastrointestinal transit were positively correlated. Simultaneously, SHP application also promoted the secretion of other gastrointestinal motility hormones, such as MTL and VIP. Hence, these results provide evidence that SHP can promote the recovery of gastrointestinal transmission in POI rat models through regulation of ghrelin and other intestinal hormones.

Use of Shenhuang paste on Shenque point improves chemotherapy induced gastrointestinal toxicity in breast cancer: A protocol for randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer, a malignant disorder, occurs in the epithelial tissue of the breast gland. Chemotherapy is the standard treatment for breast cancer, however, the side effect, especially gastrointestinal dysfunction, due to chemotherapy still remain major problems. Traditional Chinese Medicine has been proven therapeutically effective on reducing adverse effects caused by chemotherapy. Shenhuang Plaster. METHODS: The study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, blind trial. A total of 160 Chinese breast cancer patients will be enrolled and randomly allocated into the experimental group and control group in a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the experimental group will be prescribed Shenhuang plaster application on shenque point (CV8) plus chemotherapy treatment. Patients in the control group will be prescribed placebo plaster application on CV8 plus chemotherapy treatment. The acupoint application will last 3 days. The primary outcome will be the form of faces every day, and the secondary outcomes the symptom score of traditional Chinese medicine, the changes of fecal bacteria and metabolites, serum motilin, gastrin and ghrelin levels. DISCUSSION: This study is to observe therapeutic effects with Shenhuang plaster application on CV8 to regulate chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal toxicity in breast cancer patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=55262) No. ChiCTR2000034313. Registered on July 2, 2020.

Robotic versus laparoscopic hepatectomy for malignancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical safety and efficacy of robotic hepatectomy (RH) versus conventional laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) for malignancy using meta-analysis. A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, Medline and the Cochrane Library databases up to September 2020 for studies, which limited to comparative articles of RH or LH for malignant tumors. Stata14.0 was performed in the meta-analysis. Six studies with a total of 1093 patients (345 RH and 748 LH) were eligible for inclusion. Operative time, tumor size, open procedure rate and the proportion of right hepatectomy were found to be significantly different between RH and LH in the pooled analysis (P < 0.05). Compared to LH, RH was associated with longer operative time, larger tumor size, lower open procedure rate and more common use for right hepatectomy. On the other hand, there was no difference in the operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), blood transfusion rate, hospital stay, R0 resection rate, complications, resection margin, left lateral sectionectomy and left hepatectomy (P > 0.05). For malignant tumors that require hepatectomy, robotic approaches have demonstrated similar safety and feasibility to laparoscopy, with lower open procedure rate, were suitable for larger tumor size, and have a high right hepatectomy utilization rate. These results still need to be confirmed by multicenter, high-quality randomized controlled studies.

Home-based traditional Chinese medicine nursing interventions for discharged patients with COVID-19: a rapid review of Chinese guidelines.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this review was to comprehensively summarize and analyze the current guidelines on home-based traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) nursing interventions for discharged patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Eight data sources were searched until June 28, 2020. The frequency of home-based TCM nursing interventions and the use of specific acupuncture points recommended in Chinese guidelines for discharged COVID-19 patients were computed and analyzed. RESULTS: In total, we identified 5 Chinese guidelines that provide for home-based TCM nursing interventions for discharged patients with COVID-19. Moxibustion and acupressure were singled out as the most frequently used intervention of the 11 home-based TCM nursing interventions recommended by these guidelines. RN12 and ST36 were the 2 most promoted acupuncture points for moxibustion and acupressure interventions for these patients. CONCLUSIONS: The present review showed the important role of home-based TCM nursing interventions for discharged COVID-19 patients. However, direct evidence of their efficacy is still insufficient.

Gastrointestinal Motility and Improvement Efficacy of Shenhuang Plaster Application on Shenque: Identification, Evaluation, and Mechanism.

Constipation, a gastrointestinal function disorder, is one of the side effects of paclitaxel (PTX) chemotherapy. Shenhuang plaster (SHP) application on the Shenque acupoint promotes gut motility in clinical settings. In this study, we elucidated the ingredients in SHP and evaluated its effects on PTX-induced constipation using a tumour-bearing mouse model. SHP was prepared using the traditional Chinese plaster preparation method. The ingredients were analysed using UPLC-MS/MS and identified via screening in a standard drug database. The gastrointestinal transit was evaluated by the movement of a fluorescein-labelled dextran in the gastrointestinal tract. A histological study of the mucosa was carried out after haematoxylin and eosin staining. mRNA expression was assessed using real-time RT-PCR, and the foetal microbiota composition was elucidated through 16 s rDNA sequencing and BLAST analysis. Our results indicate that the application of SHP attenuated weight gain inhibition by PTX; however, no inhibitory effect was observed on tumour growth. PTX-induced sluggish intestine, villus, and mucosal base layer damage were significantly improved following the application of SHP. Further, SHP enhanced the stimulation efficiency of PTX on TLR4 and its downstream cytokines, as well as on IL-1ß in intestinal cells. SHP combined with PTX reshaped the microbiota, which showed beneficial effects on health. Hence, these results provide evidence that SHP alleviates PTX-induced constipation and intestinal morphological damage but augments the effects of PTX on the expression of cytokines in the TLR4 pathway and IL-1ß. Therefore, we propose that SHP stimulates the host immune response to eradicate cancer cells.

[A clinical analysis of screw-retained implant-supported casted integrated abutment crowns in the molar region with limited interocclusal space].

PURPOSE: To observe the clinical effects of screw-retained implant-supported casted abutment integrated crowns (IACs) in the molar region with limited interocclusal space. METHODS: This study involved 507 implants in 376 patients with limited interocclusal space in the molar region. All implants were inserted to the jaw by standard one-stage protocol. Screw-retained IACs were used as the final prosthesis. With 6 to 24 months follow-up, the clinical effects of screw-retained IACs were recorded and analyzed using SPSS 17.0 software package. RESULTS: During 6 to 24 months of follow-up, the implant survival rate was 99.61%. 37 patients had ceramic fracture which mainly happened in the group with 3-4 mm interocclusal space. In each group, porcelain fused to metal (PFM) prosthesis had ceramic fracture more easily than PFM prosthesis without porcelain on occlusal surface(P<0.05). As the interocclusal space became smaller, the probability of collapsing porcelain increased(P<0.05).13 patients had screw loosening. 13 patients suffered from gingival swelling and bleeding, they were given periodontal treatment and oral hygiene instruction. Patients were satisfied with the restoration results. CONCLUSIONS: Screw-retained IACs can be used to repair missing teeth in the molar region with limited interocclusal space.

Comparative transcriptome analyses reveal the genetic basis underlying the immune function of three amphibians' skin.

Skin as the first barrier against external invasions plays an essential role for the survival of amphibians on land. Understanding the genetic basis of skin function is significant in revealing the mechanisms underlying immunity of amphibians. In this study, we de novo sequenced and comparatively analyzed skin transcriptomes from three different amphibian species, Andrias davidianus, Bufo gargarizans, and Rana nigromaculata Hallowell. Functional classification of unigenes in each amphibian showed high accordance, with the most represented GO terms and KEGG pathways related to basic biological processes, such as binding and metabolism and immune system. As for the unigenes, GO and KEGG distributions of conserved orthologs in each species were similar, with the predominantly enriched pathways including RNA polymerase, nucleotide metabolism, and defense. The positively selected orthologs in each amphibian were also similar, which were primarily involved in stimulus response, cell metabolic, membrane, and catalytic activity. Furthermore, a total of 50 antimicrobial peptides from 26 different categories were identified in the three amphibians, and one of these showed high efficiency in inhibiting the growth of different bacteria. Our understanding of innate immune function of amphibian skin has increased basis on the immune-related unigenes, pathways, and antimicrobial peptides in amphibians.

Population genetic diversity of sesarmid crab (Perisesarma bidens) in China based on mitochondrial DNA.

The population genetic diversity of Perisesarma bidens in China was investigated using 627 bp fragment of mtDNA COI gene sequence. A total of 186 individuals were collected from ten localities over most of the species' range and 31 different haplotypes were obtained. The most frequent haplotype was Hap2, which was shared in all ten localities (132 individuals), whereas most haplotypes were rare and existed in only one or two individuals. Haplotype diversity (h) and nucleotide diversity (π) ranged from 0.338 to 0.731 and from 0.00058 to 0.00278, respectively, which represented a moderate level of haplotype diversity and a low level of nucleotide diversity. The genetic distance ranged from 0.0006 to 0.0028 within populations and from 0.0006 to 0.0023 between populations. An analysis of molecular variance and conventional population statistics (FST) revealed a low level of genetic differentiation among ten populations (FST = -0.00439, p > 0.05), indicating that no significant population genetic structure existed in populations from the East China Sea and South China Sea. Both mismatch distribution and neutrality tests implied a recent population expansion event for the sesarmid crab species in the late Pleistocene.

Electrokinetic remediation of fluorine-contaminated soil and its impact on soil fertility.

Compared to soil pollution by heavy metals and organic pollutants, soil pollution by fluorides is usually ignored in China. Actually, fluorine-contaminated soil has an unfavorable influence on human, animals, plants, and surrounding environment. This study reports on electrokinetic remediation of fluorine-contaminated soil and the effects of this remediation technology on soil fertility. Experimental results showed that electrokinetic remediation using NaOH as the anolyte was a considerable choice to eliminate fluorine in contaminated soils. Under the experimental conditions, the removal efficiency of fluorine by the electrokinetic remediation method was 70.35%. However, the electrokinetic remediation had a significant impact on the distribution and concentrations of soil native compounds. After the electrokinetic experiment, in the treated soil, the average value of available nitrogen was raised from 69.53 to 74.23 mg/kg, the average value of available phosphorus and potassium were reduced from 20.05 to 10.39 mg/kg and from 61.31 to 51.58 mg/kg, respectively. Meanwhile, the contents of soil available nitrogen and phosphorus in the anode regions were higher than those in the cathode regions, but the distribution of soil available potassium was just the opposite. In soil organic matter, there was no significant change. These experiment results suggested that some steps should be taken to offset the impacts, after electrokinetic treatment.

[Application of one-piece implant-supported detachable telescope retained fixed bridge in edentulous cases].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of one-piece implant-supported detachable telescopic fixed bridge in edentulous patients. METHODS: Seventeen patients were treated with one-piece implant-supported detachable telescopic fixed bridge. A total of 18 prostheses were fabricated with 8 in the upper jaws and 10 in the lower jaws.Fixed bridges retained by telescopic crowns were used as final prostheses, with milling titanium or all-ceramic abutments as primary crowns, gold-electroforming crowns as secondary crowns. Surveys about clinical and radiographic examination, satisfaction and prosthetic complications were conducted after 3 months,1 year, 2 years, 3 years after final rehabilitation. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0 software package. RESULTS: Radiography showed stable bone levels for all implants except 2 implants, which were observed slight marginal bone resorption. The results of one-way ANOVA showed that no significant difference in modified plaque index or modified sulcus blooding index was found during the follow-up period (P>0.05). The probing attachment level deteriorated by 1.5 mm during the first 3 years (P<0.05). Eighteen restoration provided sufficient fixation and stability. Two porcelain fractures occured but had no influence on restoration. The patients were highly satisfied with the outcomes. The frequency of prosthetic maintenance per patient per year was 0.11. CONCLUSIONS: One-piece implant-supported detachable telescopic fixed bridge is an effective method with satisfactory long-term aesthetic and stable outcomes in edentulous patients.

Increased expression of chitinase 3-like 1 is a prognosis marker for non-small cell lung cancer correlated with tumor angiogenesis.

Increasing evidence demonstrated that chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) was highly expressed and tightly associated with human tumor development and progression. However, its precise role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains to be delineated. The aim of this study was to examine CHI3L1 expression in patients with NSCLC and explore the relationship of CHI3L1 protein with clinicopathologic factors, tumor angiogenesis, and prognosis. CHI3L1 protein and intratumoral microvessels were examined by immunohistochemical staining in 95 NSCLC patients. Intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) was measured by counting CD34-positive immunostained endothelial cells. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses were used to investigate the CHI3L1 expression status in tissues. Our result showed that CHI3L1 was significantly up-regulated in NSCLC tissues. In addition, univariate and multivariate analysis demonstrated that CHI3L1 protein overexpression and high MVD were significantly associated with tumor relapse. Although CHI3L1 overexpression and high MVD indicated poor overall survival (P < 0.05), multivariate analysis suggested that only CHI3L1 overexpression was an independent prognostic marker for unfavorable overall survival in patients with NSCLC (P < 0.05). The current results demonstrated that CHI3L1 may be a promising biomarker to identify individuals with poor prognostic potential and a possible target for anti-angiogenic therapy in patients with early stage NSCLC.

Uranium extraction from TRISO-coated fuel particles using supercritical CO2 containing tri-n-butyl phosphate.

High-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) are advanced nuclear systems that will receive heavy use in the future. It is important to develop spent nuclear fuel reprocessing technologies for HTGR. A new method for recovering uranium from tristructural-isotropic (TRISO-) coated fuel particles with supercritical CO(2) containing tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) as a complexing agent was investigated. TRISO-coated fuel particles from HTGR fuel elements were first crushed to expose UO(2) pellet fuel kernels. The crushed TRISO-coated fuel particles were then treated under O(2) stream at 750°C, resulting in a mixture of U(3)O(8) powder and SiC shells. The conversion of U(3)O(8) into solid uranyl nitrate by its reaction with liquid N(2)O(4) in the presence of a small amount of water was carried out. Complete conversion was achieved after 60 min of reaction at 80°C, whereas the SiC shells were not converted by N(2)O(4). Uranyl nitrate in the converted mixture was extracted with supercritical CO(2) containing TBP. The cumulative extraction efficiency was above 98% after 20 min of online extraction at 50°C and 25 MPa, whereas the SiC shells were not extracted by TBP. The results suggest an attractive strategy for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel from HTGR to minimize the generation of secondary radioactive waste.

Sugarcane bagasse mild alkaline/oxidative pretreatment for ethanol production by alkaline recycle process.

In order to decrease the alkali and water consumptions in the sugarcane bagasse alkaline/oxidative pretreatment for ethanol production, an alkaline recycle process was carried out. Two recycles of NaOH/H2O2 pretreatment did not decrease the pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis efficiencies and the consumptions of NaOH and water would be saved by 26% and 40%, respectively. A simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) culture with pretreated bagasse as substrate was developed giving 25 g ethanol l(-1) with a yield of 0.2 g g(-1) bagasse and productivity of 0.52 g l(-1) h(-1).

Fermentation of pretreated sugarcane bagasse hemicellulose hydrolysate to ethanol by Pachysolen tannophilus.

Sugarcane bagasse hemicellulose hydrolysates, pretreated by either over-liming or electrodialysis and, supplemented with nutrient materials, were fermented to ethanol using Pachysolen tannophilus DW06. Compared with detoxification by over-liming, detoxification by electrodialysis decreased the loss of sugar and increased the acetic acid removal, leading to better fermentability. A batch culture with electrodialytically pretreated hydrolysate as substrate was developed giving 21 g ethanol l(-1) with a yield of 0.35 g g(-1) sugar and productivity of 0.59 g l(-1) h(-1).

Melatonin reduces mortality and oxidatively mediated hepatic and renal damage due to diquat treatment.

The bipyridyl herbicide, diquat, is a potent prooxidant that generates superoxide anions through redox cycling in vivo. Exposure to elevated levels of this compound causes acute hepatic and renal toxicity as well as death in rodents. In the present study, we investigated whether melatonin, a free radical scavenger and antioxidant, could protect against diquat-induced hepatic and renal damage and whether the indole would improve survival of Kunming mice given a lethal dose of diquat. When mice were intraperitoneally (i.p.) given a single dose of diquat (50 mg/kg body weight), liver and kidney injuries were observed at 6 hr as indicated by elevated serum levels of both alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). In addition, lipid peroxidation levels in both liver and kidney showed significant increases as shown by elevated concentrations of F(2)-isoprostanes. The administration of melatonin (20 mg/kg) 30 min before the diquat injection resulted in a significant reduction in serum levels of ALT and BUN as well as hepatic and renal F(2)-isoprostanes levels. For the survival study, 75 mg/kg diquat was administered i.p. into mice to induce acute death. Without melatonin treatment, 10 of 23 (43.5%) mice died within 24 hr after diquat injection. Pretreatment with melatonin (20 mg/kg) 30 min prior to the injection of diquat and thereafter at 4-hr intervals until the end of the observation period (24 hr), reduced the death rate to two of 22 (9.1%) mice. Chi-squared test revealed a significant difference with P < or = 0.05. In conclusion, melatonin, a broad spectrum antioxidant, reduces hepatic and renal damage and lowers the death rate in diquat-treated mice.

Production of 1,3-propanediol by Klebsiella pneumoniae from glycerol broth.

Broth containing 152 g glycerol l(-1) from Candida krusei culture was converted to 1,3-propanediol by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Residual glucose in the broth promoted growth of K. pneumoniae while acetate was inhibitory. After desalination treatment of glycerol broth by electrodialysis, the acetate in the broth was removed. A fed-batch culture with electrodialytically pretreated broth as substrate was developed giving 53 g 1,3-propanediol l(-1) with a yield of 0.41 g g(-1) glycerol and a productivity of 0.94 g l(-1) h(-1).

Inhibitory effect of melatonin on diquat-induced lipid peroxidation in vivo as assessed by the measurement of F2-isoprostanes.

Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger. A large body of in vivo and in vitro evidence shows that melatonin effectively inhibits membrane lipid peroxidation; this damage was based on the measurement of malondialdehyde and/or 4-hydroxynonenal levels. In the current study, for the first time using a more sensitive and specific biomarker, i.e. F2-isoprostanes, we investigate the effect of melatonin on diquat-induced lipid peroxidation in Fischer 344 rats. When diquat (40 mg/kg body weight) was intraperitoneally injected into rats, the levels of liver F2-isoprostanes were significantly increased at 1, 3, and 6 hr while plasma free F2-isoprostanes concentrations were augmented at 3, 6, and 12 hr after administration of the toxin. In addition, the plasma alanine aminotransferase activity level was measured as a parameter of hepatoxicity; the activity of this enzyme was augmented at 3, 6, and 12 hr after diquat administration when compared with levels of this constituent in untreated control rats. Pretreatment with melatonin (20 mg/kg) 30 min before diquat administration resulted in a significant reduction in both tissue and plasma F2-isoprostanes levels, and plasma alanine aminotransferase activity. These findings, using a sensitive and specific index of lipid peroxidation, show that the hepatoxicity of diquat, at least partially, is a consequence of reactive oxygen species-induced lipid damage. Melatonin's protective effects likely relate to its direct free radical scavenging ability and/or due to other antioxidative processes induced by the indole.

Expression of the type 1 and type 2 receptors for tumor necrosis factor after traumatic spinal cord injury in adult rats.

Posttraumatic inflammation has been implicated in secondary tissue damage after spinal cord injury (SCI). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a key inflammatory mediator that is increasingly expressed after SCI. The effect of TNF-alpha is mediated through its receptors TNFR1 (p55) and TNFR2 (p75). However, whether these two receptors are expressed after SCI has not been demonstrated. In the present study, the temporo-spatial expression of TNFR1 and TNFR2 was examined in rats that had received a 10 g impact injury dropped at a height of 12.5 mm using the New York University impact device. In sham operates, no detectable TNFR1 or TNFR2 immunoreactivity (IR) was observed. In contused spinal cord, TNFR1 protein expression and immunoreactivity (IR) were detected as early as 15 min postinjury, reached its peak at 8 h, and declined markedly after 1 and 3 days postinjury. The temporal pattern of TNFR2 expression was similar to that of TNFR1 but its expression peaked at 4 h postinjury. During peak expression, TNFR1- and TNFR2-IR were most intense at the site of injury and decreased gradually from the injury epicenter. TNFR1- and TNFR2-positive cells included neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Methylprednisolone (MP), a synthetic glucocorticoid, partially inhibited the injury-induced expression of TNFR1 and TNFR2, an effect which could be reversed by RU486, an antagonist of glucocorticoid receptors. We suggest that the expression of TNFR1 and TNFR2 after SCI may contribute to posttraumatic inflammatory responses of TNF-alpha.