Expression and clinical significance of HOXA5, E-cadherin, and ß-catenin in cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: HOXA5 has been identified as a biomarker in pathogenesis of several cancers, such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and breast cancer cells. The role has not been explored in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). METHODS: Tissues of 120 cases with CSCC and 30 controls with chronic cervicitis were constructed from our archived surgical pathology files and staining with HOXA5. Additional antibodies to E-cadherin and ß-catenin were stained for comparison. For each marker, low expression was defined as staining score 0 to 3 points, whereas high expression referred to 4 points and above. Fifty-four patients in this research with cervical cancer were followed up for prognostic assessment. RESULT: HOXA5 had high expression in chronic cervicitis and low in CSCC (P=0.004). The positivity rates of HOXA5 in patients without muscular layer invasion (MLI) and lymphatic invasion (LI) was higher than that in metastasis (113 vs. 17; 117 vs. 3). Consistently, low expression of HOXA5 was more common in poorly differentiated carcinoma, CSCC subjects without MLI and LI. Expression of E-cadherin and ß-catenin was parallel with the expression of HOXA5. Additionally, patients with higher expression of HOXA5 had much more favorable prognosis than those with lower expression among follow up of the 54 patients. CONCLUSION: In parallel with E-cadherin and ß-catenin, low expression of HOXA5 was more common in CSCC patients with poor differentiation, without MLI and LI, among those which showed poor prognosis.

[Effects of angrographolide on plasma glucose level of experiment diabetic rats and its molecular mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of angrographolide on plasma glucose level of diabetic rats and its molecular mechanism. METHODS: The diabetic model rats were established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were treated with angrographolide for 2 weeks, then the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum were examined and the expressions of Bcl-2 and Box gene of pancreatic cells were detected. RESULTS: Compared with model rats, the plasma glucose levels and the serum MDA contents of the angrographolide-treated rats decreased, serum insulin and activity of SOD increased significatantly (P < 0.01). The expression of Bcl-2 was lower in the model group, while the expression was stronger in the treatment group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Angrographolide can inhibit the apoptosis of islet cells and depress plasma glucose level of diabetic rat model. Its mechanism may be associated with the upregulation of the expression of Bcl-2, the increase of the activity of SOD, the decrease of the production of free radicals and lipid eroxidadion.

[Expression and role of nitric oxide synthase in the testis and epididymis of Macaca fascicularis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and the role of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the testis and epididymis of macaca fascicularis. METHODS: The immunohistochemical ABC method was used to observe the localization of nitric oxide synthase in the testis and epididymis of the macaca fascicularis. RESULTS: (1) nNOS immunoreactivity was found in the spermatogenic cells of seminiferous tubules, the epithelia of epididymal efferent ducts, sperm and the endothelia of blood vessels; (2) iNOS was expressed in the epididymal efferent duct, the sperm inside the duct, and the myoid cells and endothelia of blood vessels; (3) eNOS immunoreactivity was detected in the interstitial cells of the testis, the epididymal efferent duct, the sperm inside the duct, and the myoid cells and endothelia of blood vessels. CONCLUSION: NOS is extensively expressed in the testis and epididymis of the macaca fascicularis and it may play an important role in such processes as spermatogenesis, sperm maturation and testosterone secretion.