Electroacupuncture may alleviate diabetic neuropathic pain by inhibiting the microglia P2X4R and neuroinflammation.

Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is a common and destructive complication of diabetes mellitus. The discovery of effective therapeutic methods for DNP is vitally imperative because of the lack of effective treatments. Although 2 Hz electroacupuncture (EA) was a successful approach for relieving DNP, the mechanism underlying the effect of EA on DNP is still poorly understood. Here, we established a rat model of DNP that was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection. P2X4R was upregulated in the spinal cord after STZ-injection. The upregulation of P2X4R was mainly expressed on activated microglia. Intrathecal injection of a P2X4R antagonist or microglia inhibitor attenuated STZ-induced nociceptive thermal hyperalgesia and reduced the overexpression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the spinal cord. We also assessed the effects of EA treatment on the pain hypersensitivities of DNP rats, and further investigated the possible mechanism underlying the analgesic effect of EA. EA relieved the hyperalgesia of DNP. In terms of mechanism, EA reduced the upregulation of P2X4R on activated microglia and decreased BDNF, IL-1ß and TNF-α in the spinal cord. Mechanistic research of EA's analgesic impact would be beneficial in ensuring its prospective therapeutic effect on DNP as well as in extending EA's applicability.

A comprehensive approach to quantify the source identification and human health risk assessment of toxic elements in park dust.

In this research, enrichment factor (EF) and pollution load index were utilized to explore the contamination characteristics of toxic elements (TEs) in park dust. The results exhibited that park dust in the study area was mainly moderately polluted, and the EF values of dust Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu and Sb were all > 1. The concentrations of Cr, Cu, Zn and Pb increased with the decrease of dust particle size. The investigation results of chemical speciation and bioavailability of TEs showed that Zn had the highest bioavailability. Three sources of TEs were determined by positive matrix factorization model, Pearson correlation analysis and geostatistical analysis, comprising factor 1 mixed sources of industrial and transportation activities (46.62%), factor 2 natural source (25.56%) and factor 3 mixed source of agricultural activities and the aging of park infrastructures (27.82%). Potential ecological risk (PER) and human health risk (HHR) models based on source apportionment were exploited to estimate PER and HHR of TEs from different sources. The mean PER value of TEs in the park dust was 114, indicating that ecological risk in the study area was relatively high. Factor 1 contributed the most to PER, and the pollution of Cd was the most serious. There were no significant carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks for children and adults in the study area. And factor 3 was the biggest source of non-carcinogenic risk, and As, Cr and Pb were the chief contributor to non-carcinogenic risk. The primary source of carcinogenic risk was factor 2, and Cr was the cardinal cancer risk element.

Electroacupuncture Alleviates Diabetic Neuropathic Pain and Downregulates p-PKC and TRPV1 in Dorsal Root Ganglions and Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn.

Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is a common complication of diabetes. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced changes of protein in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord dorsal horn (SCDH) are critical for DNP genesis. However, which proteins change remains elusive. Here, the DNP model was established by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ, accompanied by increased fasting blood glucose (FBG), decreased body weight (BW), and decreased paw withdrawal latency (PWL). Proteins change in L4-L6 DRGs and SCDH of rats were detected. Western blot and immunofluorescence results showed that expression levels of phosphorylated protein kinase C (p-PKC), transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1), Substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the DRG and the SCDH of rats were increased after STZ injection. A preliminary study from our previous study showed that 2 Hz electroacupuncture (EA) effectively alleviates DNP. However, the analgesic mechanism of EA needs further elucidation. Here, EA at the bilateral Zusanli (ST36) and KunLun (BL60) acupoints was applied for one week, and to investigate the effect on DNP. EA reversed thermal hyperalgesia in DNP rats and downregulated the expression of p-PKC, TRPV1, SP, and CGRP in DRG and SCDH.

Dorsal root ganglia P2X4 and P2X7 receptors contribute to diabetes-induced hyperalgesia and the downregulation of electroacupuncture on P2X4 and P2X7.

Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is highly common in diabetes patients. P2X receptors play critical roles in pain sensitization. We previously showed that elevated P2X3 expression in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) contributes to DNP. However, the role of other P2X receptors in DNP is unclear. Here, we established the DNP model using a single high-dose streptozotocin (STZ) injection and investigated the expression of P2X genes in the DRG. Our data revealed elevated P2X2, P2X4, and P2X7 mRNA levels in DRG of DNP rats. The protein levels of P2X4 and P2X7 in DNP rats increased, but the P2X2 did not change significantly. To study the role of P2X4 and P2X7 in diabetes-induced hyperalgesia, we treated the DNP rats with TNP-ATP (2',3'-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-adenosine 5'-triphosphate), a nonspecific P2X1-7 antagonist, and found that TNP-ATP alleviated thermal hyperalgesia in DNP rats. 2 Hz electroacupuncture is analgesic against DNP and could downregulate P2X4 and P2X7 expression in DRG. Our findings indicate that P2X4 and P2X7 in L4-L6 DRGs contribute to diabetes-induced hyperalgesia, and that EA reduces thermal hyperalgesia and the expression of P2X4 and P2X7.

Inhibition of phosphorylated calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIα relieves streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathic pain through regulation of P2X3 receptor in dorsal root ganglia.

Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is frequent among patients with diabetes. We previously showed that P2X3 upregulation in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) plays a role in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DNP but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Here, a rat model of DNP was established by a single injection of STZ (65 mg/kg). Fasting blood glucose was significantly elevated from the 1st to 3rd week. Paw withdrawal thresholds (PWTs) and paw withdrawal latencies (PWLs) in diabetic rats significantly reduced from the 2nd to 3rd week. Western blot analysis revealed that elevated p-CaMKIIα levels in the DRG of DNP rats were accompanied by pain-associated behaviors while CaMKIIα levels were unchanged. Immunofluorescence revealed significant increase in the proportion of p-CaMKIIα immune positive DRG neurons (stained with NeuN) in the 2nd and 3rd week and p-CaMKIIα was co-expressed with P2X3 in DNP rats. KN93, a CaMKII antagonist, significantly reduce mechanical hyperalgesia and thermal hyperalgesia and these effects varied dose-dependently, and suppressed p-CaMKIIα and P2X3 upregulation in the DRGs of DNP rats. These results revealed that the p-CaMKIIα upregulation in DRG is involved in DNP, which possibly mediated P2X3 upregulation, indicating CaMKIIα may be an effective pharmacological target for DNP management.

[Effect of electroacupuncture and pretreatment of electroacupuncture on pain sensitization and expression of P2X7R in spinal dorsal horn in rats with diabetic neuropathic pain].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the occurrence time of neuralgia and the expression of purinergic ligand-gated ion channel 7 receptor (P2X7R) in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord after intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in diabetic rats, and to explore the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) and pretreatment of EA on the heat pain threshold and expression of P2X7R in the spinal dorsal horn in rats with diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP), and to explore the possible mechanism of EA for DNP. METHODS: PartⅠ: Thirty male SD rats were randomly selected from 64 male SD rats as the control group; the remaining rats were given intraperitoneal injection of STZ (10 mg/mL) at a dose of 65 mg/kg to establish the diabetes model, and 30 rats were successfully modeled as the model group. The control group and the model group were divided into three subgroups respectively at 7, 14 and 21 days, with 10 rats in each subgroup. Body mass, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and thermal pain threshold were recorded at 7, 14 and 21 days after injection; the expression of P2X7R in spinal dorsal horn was detected by Western blot. PartⅡ: Eight SD rats were randomly selected from 35 male SD rats as the blank group, and the remaining 27 rats were given intraperitoneal injection of STZ (10 mg/mL) at a dose of 65 mg/kg to establish the diabetes model. The 24 rats with successful diabetes model were randomly divided into a DNP group, an EA group and a pre-EA group, 8 rats in each group. Fifteen to 21 days after STZ injection, the EA group received EA at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Kunlun" (BL 60), continuous wave, frequency of 2 Hz, 30 min each time, once a day; the intervention method in the pre-EA group was the same as that in the EA group. The intervention time was 8 to 14 days after STZ injection. The body mass, FBG and thermal pain threshold were recorded before STZ injection and 7, 14 and 21 days after STZ injection; the expression of P2X7R in spinal dorsal horn was detected by Western blot 21 days after injection. RESULTS: PartⅠ: Compared with the control group, in the model group, the body mass was decreased and FBG was increased 7, 14 and 21 days after STZ injection (P<0.01), and the thermal pain threshold was decreased 14 and 21 days after STZ injection (P<0.05), and the expression of P2X7R in spinal dorsal horn was increased 7, 14 and 21 days after STZ injection (P<0.05, P<0.01). PartⅡ: Compared with the blank group, in the DNP group, the body mass was decreased and fasting blood glucose were increased 7, 14 and 21 days after STZ injection (P<0.01). Compared with the DNP group, in the pre-EA group, the heat pain threshold was increased 14 and 21 days after STZ injection (P<0.05), while in the EA group, the heat pain threshold was increased 21 days after STZ injection (P<0.01), and the expression of P2X7R in the dorsal horn in the EA group and the pre-EA group was decreased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The diabetic neuropathic pain is observed 14 days after STZ injection. EA could not only treat but also prevent the occurrence of DNP, and its mechanism may be related to down-regulation of P2X7R expression in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.

Chronic Exposure to Hypoxia Inhibits Myelinogenesis and Causes Motor Coordination Deficits in Adult Mice.

Exposure to chronic hypoxia is considered to be a risk factor for deficits in brain function in adults, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Since active myelinogenesis persists in the adult central nervous system, here we aimed to investigate the impact of chronic hypoxia on myelination and the related functional consequences in adult mice. Using a transgenic approach to label newly-generated myelin sheaths (NG2-CreERTM; Tau-mGFP), we found that myelinogenesis was highly active in most brain regions, such as the motor cortex and corpus callosum. After exposure to hypoxia (10% oxygen) 12 h per day for 4 weeks, myelinogenesis was largely inhibited in the 4-month old brain and the mice displayed motor coordination deficits revealed by the beam-walking test. To determine the relationship between the inhibited myelination and functional impairment, we induced oligodendroglia-specific deletion of the transcription factor Olig2 by tamoxifen (NG2-CreERTM; Tau-mGFP; Olig2 fl/fl) in adult mice to mimic the decreased myelinogenesis caused by hypoxia. The deletion of Olig2 inhibited myelinogenesis and consequently impaired motor coordination, suggesting that myelinogenesis is required for motor function in adult mice. To understand whether enhancing myelination could protect brain functions against hypoxia, we treated hypoxic mice with the myelination-enhancing drug-clemastine, which resulted in enhanced myelogenesis and improved motor coordination. Taken together, our data indicate that chronic hypoxia inhibits myelinogenesis and causes functional deficits in the brain and that enhancing myelinogenesis protects brain functions against hypoxia-related deficits.

A comprehensive exploration on pollution characteristics and health risks of potentially toxic elements in indoor dust from a large Cu smelting area, Central China.

Large-scale smelting activities release large amounts of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in fine particles. These particles floating in the air eventually settle on leaves, roads, and even indoors. In smelting areas, indoor environments are generally considered relatively safe. However, these areas are not taken seriously and need to be assessed. This paper systematically studied pollution characteristics, main sources and health risks of ten potentially toxic elements, PTEs (Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Hg, Cd, As, Cr, Pb, and Tl), of dust samples from different indoor environments in smelting areas using various methods. Therefore, this study analyzed dust samples from 35 indoor environments. The enrichment factors showed that the indoor dust samples were extremely enriched by Cd and Cu and significantly enriched by Hg, Pb, As, and Zn. The result of the spatial distribution showed that the high-value PTEs were mainly distributed near the Cu smeltery. Three sources were quantitatively assigned for these PTEs, and they were industrial smelting and traffic activities (44.40%), coal-fired activities (18.11%), and natural existence (37.49%). Based on the calculation of health risk, the value of THI for children was 7.57, indicating a significant non-carcinogenic risk. For carcinogenic risk, the values of TCR for children and adults were 2.91×10-2 and 2.97×10-3, respectively, which were much higher than the acceptable risk value 1×10-4. Combining health risk assessment with source discrimination, we found that the industrial discharges and traffic activities were the most main source of non-cancer and cancer risks. Therefore, smelting activities should be more strictly monitored, and traffic emission management should be strengthened.

Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Improves the Outcomes of In Vitro Fertilization: A Prospective, Randomized and Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore whether transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) can improve the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF). DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, and controlled study. SETTING: IVF center in a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred and eighty-one infertile patients with bilateral tubal blockage who were referred for IVF. Patients were randomized into four groups. INTERVENTION: TEAS was administered for 30min, respectively, at 24h before TVOR and two hours before ET. The acupoints included SP10 (Xuehai, bilateral), SP8 (Diji, bilateral), LR3 (Taichong, bilateral), ST36 (Zusanli, bilateral), EX-CA1 (Zigong, bilateral), RN4 (Guanyuan), PC6 (Neiguan, bilateral), and RN12 (Zhongwan). Based on different frequencies of TEAS, patients were grouped into a TEAS-2Hz group, a TEAS-100Hz group and a TEAS-2/100Hz group. Patients in the control group only received routine IVF treatment and no TEAS was applied on them. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of mature oocytes, normally fertilized oocytes and good-quality embryos were used to evaluate oocyte developmental competence of the patients. Data of clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), implantation rate (IR), and live birth rate (LBR) were also obtained. The levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY), transforming growth factor alpha and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in the follicular fluids were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the control, TEAS-2Hz, TEAS-100Hz and TEAS-2/100Hz groups on the numbers of metaphase II oocytes, normally fertilized zygotes, early cleavage embryos or good quality embryos (P > .05). However, the CPR, IR and LBR of the TEAS-2/100Hz group were significantly higher than those of the other groups, respectively (P < .05). The NPY levels in the follicular fluids of TEAS-2/100Hz group were significantly higher than those of the other groups (P < .05). CONCLUSION: TEAS using a frequency of 2/100Hz could help to improve the IVF outcomes partly by increasing NPY levels in the follicular fluids.

[Progress on Correlation between the Expression of CDK5 and Brain Injury Time].

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) is a member of cyclin-dependent kinase family, which does not directly regulate cell cycle. Through phosphorylation of target protein, CDK5 plays an irreplaceable role in the development, reparation and degeneration of neurons. Brain injury refers to the organic injury of brain tissue caused by external force hit on the head. Owing to the stress and repair system activated by our body itself after injury, various proteins and enzymes of the brain tissues are changed quantitatively, which can be used as indicators for estimating the time of injury. This review summarizes the progress on the distribution, the activity mechanism and the physiological effects of CDK5 after brain injury and its corresponding potential served as a marker for brain injury determination.

[Expression of p35 and p25 after Focal Cerebral Contusion in Rat].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of p35 and p25 in rat after focal cerebral contusion and to provide experimental data for estimating brain injury time. METHODS: Fifty adult male SD rats were randomly divided into 0 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 3 d, 5 d, 7 d, 10 d after focal cerebral contusion, control and sham-operated groups (5 rats each group). The focal cerebral contusion rat model was established. The expression of p35 and p25 protein of the damage peripheral zone in brain were detected by HE staining, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting at different injury time. RESULTS: A large number of p35 protein and a small amount of p25 protein were expressed in control group and sham-operated group. After focal cerebral contusion, p35 presented unimodal change with time and p25 presented bimodal changes with time. CONCLUSION: Expression of p35 and p25 showed different regularity with good time correlation, which could help to estimate the brain injury time.

Time-specific blockade of PDGFR with Imatinib (Glivec®) causes cataract and disruption of lens fiber cells in neonatal mice.

This study aimed at investigating the response of lens epithelial cells in postnatal mice to Imatinib (Glivec®, a potent inhibitor of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)) treatment. Mouse eyes were sampled 10 days after administration of Imatinib (0.5 mg·g(-1)·day(-1)) for 3 days, at either 7, 14, or 21 days postpartum. Structural changes of lens were revealed by routine H.E. staining. Levels of proliferation and apoptosis were revealed by BrdU incorporation and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, respectively, and immunofluorescent staining with anti-PDGFRα antibody was carried out on the sections of eyeball. PDGFRα and p-PDGFRαprotein levels were evaluated by Western blot. Our results indicated that administration of Imatinib led to blockade of PDGFR signaling. Formation of cataracts was found only in those mice where treatment started from 7 days postpartum (P7), but was not observed in those samples from P14 nor P21. Fiber cells were disorganized in cataract lens core as observed histologically, and migration of epithelial cells was also inhibited. No apoptosis was detected with the TUNEL method. Our results indicated blockade of PDGFR at the neonatal stage (P7) would lead to cataracts and lens fiber cells disorganization, suggesting that PDGFR signaling plays a time-specific and crucial role in the postnatal development of lens in the mouse, and also may provide a new approach to produce a congenital cataract animal model.

Apoptosis of interstitial cells of Cajal, smooth muscle cells, and enteric neurons induced by intestinal ischemia and reperfusion injury in adult guinea pigs.

This study aimed at evaluating whether apoptosis of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), smooth muscle cells (SMC), and enteric neurons was involved in a guinea pig model of intestinal ischemia and reperfusion injury. The small intestinal segments were resected at either 6 (I60/R6h) and 12 h (I60/R12h) or 7 (I60/R7d) to 14 (I60/R14d) days after 60 min intestinal ischemia in the adult guinea pigs and studied by immunohistochemistry with anti-Kit, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), alpha-smooth muscle actin, vimentin, and beta-tublin III antibodies. Also, apoptosis was tested by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. In the I60/R12h injury, there was a approximately 50% decrease of Kit+ cells in cell numbers at the level of myenteric plexus and a number of Kit-/vimentin-positive cells were labeled by TUNEL. Also, a few SMC and enteric neurons were TUNEL positive. The Kit+ ICC recovered to normal and a number of Kit-/BrdU-double-positive cells were observed in the I60/R14d group. Our results indicated that the intestinal I/R injury could lead to apoptosis of ICC, SMC, and enteric neurons which may contribute to the gastrointestinal motility disorders, and proliferation was involved in the recovery of ICC.

Morphological changes of cholinergic nerve fibers in the urinary bladder after establishment of artificial somatic-autonomic reflex arc in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To establish an artificial somatic-autonomic reflex arc in rats and observe the following distributive changes of neural fibers in the bladder. METHODS: Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, spinal cord injury (SCI) group, and reinnervation group. DiI retrograde tracing was used to verify establishment of the model and to investigate the transport function of the regenerated efferent axons in the new reflex arc. Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the DiI-labeled neurons was detected by immunohistochemistry. Distribution of neural fibers in the bladder was observed by acetylcholine esterase staining. RESULTS: DiI-labeled neurons distributed mainly in the left ventral horn from L3 to L5, and some of them were also ChAT-positive. The neural fibers in the bladder detrusor reduced remarkably in the SCI group compared with the control (P < 0.05). After establishment of the somatic-autonomic reflex arc in the reinnervation group, the number of ipsilateral fibers in the bladder increased markedly compared with the SCI group (P < 0.05), though still much less than that in the control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The efferent branches of the somatic nerves may grow and replace the parasympathetic preganglionic axons through axonal regeneration. Acetylcholine is still the major neurotransmitter of the new reflex arc. The controllability of detrusor may be promoted when it is reinnervated by the pelvic ganglia efferent somatic motor fibers from the postganglionic axons.

[Changes of serum cardiotrophin I and cystatin C in preeclampsia and clinical significance thereof].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes and of serum cardiotrophin I (cTN I) and cystatin C in preeclampsia clinical significance thereof. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 40 women with preeclampsia, aged 29 (18 - 39), with the medium gestational age of 35 weeks, and 40 age- and gestational age-matched controls. Serum cTN I and cystatin C were determined with ELISA and serum levels of creatinine kinase, creatinine, and uric acid were assayed by automatic biochemical analyzer. Comparison was made between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The serum cTn I of the preeclampsia group was 0.59 microg/L +/- 0.42 microg/L, significantly higher than that of the control group (0.09 microg/L +/- 0.22 microg/L P < 0.001), and the serum cystatin C of the preeclampsia group was 1.64 mg/L +/- 0.47 mg/L, significantly higher than that of the control group (1.08 mg/L +/- 0.19 mg/L, P < 0.001). And the serum cardiotrophin I and cystatin C concentrations of the patients with severe preeclampsia were 0.66 microg/L +/- 0.40 microg/L and 1.72 mg/L +/- 0.46 mg/L respectively, both significantly higher than those of the patients with mild preeclampsia (0.17 microg/L +/- 0.26 microg/L and 1.21 mg/L +/- 0.37 mg/L respectively, P < 0.001 and 0.05 respectively). CONCLUSION: Serum cTn I and cystatin C levels are elevated in preeclampsia and the elevation is associated with the severity of preeclampsia, suggesting that serum concentrations of cTn I and cystatin C are useful markers in the early diagnosis of cardiac and renal injury in patients of preeclampsia.

[Imbalance of serum T helper 1- and 2-type cytokines in preeclampsia and gestational hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in serum levels of Th1- (IL-2 and TNF-alpha) and Th2-type cytokines (IL-10) and the ratios of Th1/Th2 (IL-2/IL-10 and TNF-alpha/IL-10) in preeclampsia and in gestational hypertension. METHODS: Levels of IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-alpha were determined with radioimmunoassay in serum samples from 22 women with preeclampsia, 15 women with gestational hypertension and 32 normal term pregnant women. The Th1/Th2 ratios were calculated accordingly. RESULT: There were no significant differences in serum levels of IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-alpha (P>0.05 for all) among normal pregnancy, gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. The ratio of serum IL-2/IL-10 was significantly higher in preeclampsia than that in controls (P < 0.05), and the ratio of TNF-alpha/IL-10 significantly higher in patients with preeclampsia than that in either controls or gestational hypertension (P<0.025 for both). CONCLUSION: Alterations of serum cytokine balance with predominance of Th1 immunity were observed in preeclampsia. These associations may offer insight into the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

[Expression of Fas and FasL in serum and placenta of preeclamptic pregnancy and its significance].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the serum and placental levels of FAS and FASL in preeclampsia (PE) and to study its relationship with the disease. METHODS: Forty women with preeclampsia and 39 healthy pregnant women were recruited and samples of serum and placentas were collected. The expression of Fas and FasL in placentas was detected with Western blot and the concentration of soluble Fas and FasL in serum was detected with ELISA method. RESULT: Serum levels of soluble Fas in PE group were significantly higher than those of healthy pregnant women (2.11+/-0.95 mg/L compared with 1.57+/-0.60 mg/L, P<0.05), and serum levels of soluble FasL in PE group were also significantly higher than those in controls (4.43+/-1.90 g/L compared with 3.48+/-1.53 g/L, P<0.01). There were no significant differences in Fas and FasL levels in placentas between PE group and healthy pregnant women (P>0.05 for both). CONCLUSION: The elevated serum Fas and FasL levels are closely associated with preeclampsia, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease.