Toll-like receptor 4 implicated in acute lung injury induced by paraquat poisoning in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible relationship and mechanism of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and acute lung injury induced by paraquat (PQ) poisoning. METHODS: Male wild type mice and male TLR4-knockout mice were used in this study. After paraquat treatment for 24 hours, mice were euthanized and pathology, TLR4 expression and pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated. RESULTS: Wild type mice showed deteriorated lung injury, pathological damages and increased TLR4 expression and pulmonary TNF-α, IL-1ß and NF-κB p65 levels after PQ treatment. TLR4-deficient mice were significantly resistant to paraquat-induced lung injury. CONCLUSION: TLR4 may be required as a mediator and may play an important role in acute lung injury induced by paraquat.

Combined early fluid resuscitation and hydrogen inhalation attenuates lung and intestine injury.

AIM: To study the effects of combined early fluid resuscitation and hydrogen inhalation on septic shock-induced lung and intestine injuries. METHODS: Wistar male rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group (Group A, n = 15); septic shock group (Group B, n = 15); early fluid resuscitation-treated septic shock group (Group C, n = 15); and early fluid resuscitation and inhalation of 2% hydrogen-treated septic shock group (Group D, n = 15). The activity of hydroxyl radicals, myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), diamine oxidase (DAO), and the concentration of malonaldehyde (MDA) in the lung and intestinal tissue were assessed according to the corresponding kits. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was carried out to detect the pathology of the lung and intestine. The expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in lung and intestine tissue were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The expression levels of Fas and Bcl2 in lung tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS: Septic shock elicited a significant increase in the levels of MDA (10.17 ± 1.12 nmol/mg protein vs 2.98 ± 0.64 nmol/mg protein) and MPO (6.79 ± 1.02 U/g wet tissue vs 1.69 ± 0.14 U/g wet tissue) in lung tissues. These effects were not significantly decreased by Group C pretreatment, but were significantly reduced by Group D pretreatment (MDA: 4.45 ± 1.13 nmol/mg protein vs 9.56 ± 1.37 nmol/mg protein; MPO: 2.58 ± 0.21 U/g wet tissue vs 6.02 ± 1.16 U/g wet tissue). The activity of SOD (250.32 ± 8.56 U/mg protein vs 365.78 ± 10.26 U/mg protein) in lung tissues was decreased after septic shock, and was not significantly increased by Group C pretreatment, but was significantly enhanced by Group D pretreatment (331.15 ± 9.64 U/mg protein vs 262.98 ± 5.47 U/mg protein). Histological evidence of lung hemorrhage, neutrophil infiltration and overexpression of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α was observed in lung tissues, all of which were attenuated by Group C and further alleviated by Group D pretreatment. Septic shock also elicited a significant increase in the levels of MDA, MPO and DAO (6.54 ± 0.68 kU/L vs 4.32 ± 0.33 kU/L) in intestinal tissues, all of which were further increased by Group C, but significantly reduced by Group D pretreatment. Increased Chiu scoring and overexpression of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were observed in intestinal tissues, all of which were attenuated by Group C and further attenuated by Group D pretreatment. CONCLUSION: Combined early fluid resuscitation and hydrogen inhalation may protect the lung and intestine of the septic shock rats from the damage induced by oxidative stress and the inflammatory reaction.

[Comparison of different methods of rat amniotic fluid sample preparation for 2-d electrophoresis].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the method for preparing samples for amniotic fluid proteomics study. METHODS: Pregnant rats were sacrificed with an overdose of Chloral hydrate at E17. The fetuses and amniotic fluid were harvested. The samples were processed by three different methods including trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-acetone precipitation (protocol 1), TCA-acetone precipitation combined with an Albumin and IgG Removal Kit (protocol 2), and a Centrifugal Filter concentrating combined with an Albumin and IgG Removal Kit (protocol 3). The samples were run through a two-dimensional electrophoresis gel, stained and analyzed with a Image Master 6.0 software. Protein spots were identified with a LCQ Deca XP mass spectrometer. RESULTS: The total numbers of protein spots for samples processed by protocol 1, 2 and 3 were 253 ± 28, 749 ± 32 and 782 ± 27, respectively. And there was a significant difference between protocol 1 has and other two methods. Those with MW > 50 kDa were 57± 14, 45 ± 13 and 41 ± 14, respectively. Protocol 2 differed significantly from protocol 3. Protein number of samples with MW < 50 kDa was 196± 29, 702± 35 and 735 ± 29, respectively. Again, protocol 1 has differed significantly from other two methods. CONCLUSION: By removing albumin and IgG from the serum, low abundance proteins can be enriched with little loss of high abundance proteins. Centrifugal Filter concentrating combined with Albumin and IgG Removal Kit can be effectively applied for amniotic fluid proteomics study.

[Modified urethral pull-through procedure for post-trauma posterior urethral stricture].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the modified urethral pull-through procedure in the surgical treatment of posterior urethral stricture or obliteration caused by trauma. METHODS: From January 2001 to June 2005, modified urethral pull-through procedures were performed in 36 patients with post-trauma posterior urethral stricture or obliteration, 25 of them with post-operation urethral stricture or obliteration after urethral realignment by traction and the other 11 treated by cystostomy at the time of initial injury. The length of the urethral stricture segment was 1.0-4.5 cm, mean 2.2 cm. The patients were aged from 17 to 59 years (mean 44.5 years). RESULTS: All the patients were followed up for at least 1 year. Success was achieved in 34 patients, among whom 25 had good voiding and no need of dilation, 6 were cured after 3 - 6 post-operative dilations, 3 required dilation every 2 or 3 months for over a year and 2 failed. No blood transfusion was needed during the operation, and no erectile dysfunction or incontinence occurred after it. CONCLUSION: The modified urethral pull-through procedure is effective and simple in the surgical treatment of post-trauma posterior urethral stricture or obliteration, with few complications and no consequent erectile dysfunction or incontinence.

[Surgery for BPH with impaired detrusor contractility: a report of 12 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of prostatectomy simultaneously with suprapubic punctual cystostomy for BPH patients with impaired detrusor contractility. METHODS: Twelve cases of BPH with impaired detrusor contractility were diagnosed by urodynamic examination from 2002 to 2005. The patients underwent prostatectomy simultaneously with suprapubic punctual cystostomy and were followed up for a year. RESULTS: Nine of the patients, at the average age of 69.00 +/- 5.13 years and with a short history of LUST, were restored to normal bladder function, while the other 3, older than 78 years and with a longer LUST history, failed to respond to the treatment. CONCLUSION: BPH patients with impaired detrusor contractility that are younger and have a shorter LUST history could benefit from prostatectomy simultaneously with suprapubic punctual cystostomy, but the older ones with a longer LUST history should be treated by suprapubic punctual cystostomy alone.