99mTc-labeled HAb18 McAb Fab fragment for radioimmunoimaging in nude mice bearing human hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To establish a method of labeling anti-hepatoma McAb (HAb18) Fab fragment modifier with ^99mTc.

METHODS: HAb18 Fab was modified with 2-iminotholane and labeled with ^99mTc by transchelation from ^99mTc GH. Labeling yield, radiochemical purity and immunoreactivity were determined by thin layer chromatography (TLC-SG), paper chromatography (PC), gel chromatography (GC) and cell binding assay, respectively. The nude mice bearing human hepatoma were used for radioimmunoimaging (RII).

RESULTS: A radiolabeling yield of 50%-80% was obtained, and immunoreactivity (IR) was 30%-40%. Radioimaging results showed that ^99mTc-HAb18 McAb Fab fragment was concentrated in the tumor 4-8 h after injection, and the maximum concentration was seen in 12-24 h, and the T/NT value was 5.18 and 7.48 at 6 h and 8 h after the injection.

CONCLUSION: ^99mTc-HAb18 McAb Fab fragment could be specifically localized in the tumor of nude mice bearing human hepatocellular carcinoma within 24 h and this method might be effectively used for labeling McAb Fab fragment with ^99mTc.

Partial isolation and identification of hepatic stimulator substance mRNA extracted from human fetal liver

AIM: To partially isolate and identify hepatic stimulator substance mRNA from human fetal liver tissues.

METHODS: The poly (A) mRNA was extracted from human fetal liver tissues of 4-5 month gestation, fractionated by size on sucrose gradient centrifugation, translated into protein from each fraction in vitro and then its products were tested for HSS activity.

RESULTS: Twenty-two 500 μg total RNA was obtained from human fetal liver tissues and pooled. mRNA of 420 μg was yielded, processed by oligo (dT)-cellulose column chromatography, then was size-fractionated by ultracentrifution on a continuous sucrose density gradient (5%-25%), and separated into 18 fractions. Translated products of mRNA in fraction 8 and 9 could produce a two-fold increase in the incorporation of ³H-TdR into DNA of SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells and in a heat resistant and organ-specific way.

CONCLUSION: The partially purified HSS mRNA was obtained and this would facilitate the cloning of HSS using expression vectors.

Inhibitory effects of two oligosaccharides on murine melanoma experimental liver metastasis

AIM: To observe the effects of a chemically synthesized tetrose and a natural yeast mannan on experimental liver metastasis of mouse melanoma.

METHODS: After treated with 4mg tetrose (tetrose group) or 4 mg mannan (mannan group) for 30 min at 37 °C, 0.5 ml 1 × 10⁶ B16-MBK melanoma cells were injected into the spleen of mice. Fifty-five days later, melanoma metastatic nodes on the surface of the liver and in other organs as well as mouse survival time were observed.

RESULTS: Of the 6 mice in control (B16 cell + PBS) group, 4 died naturally within 55 d, and 2 were killed on the 55th day. All of the 6 mice had metastases in livers, the total number of the melanoma nodes on each liver surface ranged from 2 to 30, with the largest one merging into the whole liver. One mouse had a neo-plasm in the remnant site of injection, and 3 had metastases in lungs. In contrast, of the 6 mice in tetrose group, only one died on the 50th day after injection, with 3 metastases in the liver, the largest being 10 mm in diameter, the other 5 mice survived until being dissected on the 55th day after injection and had no liver metastasis, but 3 of them had neoplasms in their remnant sites of injection. In mannan group, all of the 6 mice survived and no metastasis was seen except for 2 liver nodes in one mouse with the largest diameter of 1 mm. Neither tetrose nor mannan group had metastasis out of the liver, and the weight of liver in the two groups was significantly lower than those in the control group.

CONCLUSION: Both tetrose and mannan had the effects of preventing melanoma cells from experimental metastasis to and out of the liver, and prolonging the survival time of the mouse.

Classification of gastric neuroendocrine tumors and its clinicopathologic significance

AIMS: To study the pathologic classification of gastric neuroendocrine tumors and its clinicopatho-logic significance.

METHODS: Paraffin-embedded sections of 52 gastric neuroendocrine tumors including 42 carcinoid tumors, and 10 cases of neuroendocrine carcinoma from 326 patients who underwent resection of stomach carcinomas were studied by immunohistochemical methods including 10 endocrine markers or hormones antibodies and endocrine cells in gastric neuroendocrine tumors and extratumoral mucosa were observed under electromicroscope.

RESULTS: The 52 gastric neuroendocrine tumors were divided into three types: ① Gastrin dependent type of carcinoid (26 cases) accompanied by chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and tumor extension limited to the mucosa or submucosa complicated with hypergastrinemia and G cell hyperplasia. This type was consistently preceded by and associated with generalized proliferation of endocrine cells in the extratomoral fundic mucosa. ② Non-gastrin dependent type of carcinoids (16 cases) associated with neither CAG nor hypergastrinemia. This type was more aggressive; and ③ Neuroendocrie carcinomas (10 cases), which are highly aggressive tumors.

CONCLUSIONS: A correct identification of different types of gastric endocrine tumors has major implications for the treatment and prognosis of the patients.

Codon 249 mutations of p53 gene in development of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the mechanisms of codon 249 mutation of p53 gene in the formation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS: Codon 249 mutation accompanied by loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and its effect on translation and transcription were studied using SSCP, IHC and RT-PCR/slot hybridization.

RESULTS: Codon 249 mutations were detected in 32.9%, LOH detected in 68.4% among the HCC patients. Mutations of condon 249 were accompa-nied by LOH in 90%. The positive rates of p53 protein and mRNA were 91.3% and 95.7%, in mutational group, both were significantly higher than those in the non-mutational group (91.3% vs 19.1% and 95.7% vs 40.4%, respectively, both P < 0.01). The translation of p53 gene was strongly related to its transcription by correlation analysis (r = 0.8208).

CONCLUSIONS: LOH might play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis of codon 249 mutation, which could increase both transcription and translation of p53 gene. The increased expression of p53 protein mainly depend on the increased transcription of p53 gene.

Experimental research on production and uptake sites of TNFα in rats with acute hemorrhagic necrotic pancreatitis

AIM: To determine the site of production and uptake of tumor necrotic factor alpha (TNFα), and evaluate the relationship between serum TNFα and plasma endotoxin (ET) in rats with acute hemor-rhagic necrotic pancreatitis (AHNP).

METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats were divided into AHNP group and control group (n = 12). AHNP model was induced by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate via pancreatic bile duct. The blood samples were obtained through portal vein 2 and 6 h after the operation.

RESULTS: The contents of TNFα in portal vein were increased rapidly in the development of AHNP. They were lower in hepatic vein (280.59 ± 20.02) and femoral artery (310.82 ± 7.97) than in portal vein (354.91 ± 25.50) (P < 0.05), and higher in femoral artery than in hepatic vein 6 h after the operation (P < 0.05). TNFα level in plasma was increased significantly when ET level in portal vein showed no increase.

CONCLUSION: Pancreas, spleen, liver, intestinal tract and lung are the main organs to produce TNFα, and liver is also an important site for TNFα uptake in the development of AHNP. Plasma endotoxin is not a trigger for TNFα release in rats with AHNP.

Analysis of N-ras gene mutation and p53 gene expression in human hepatocellular carcinomas

AIM: To study the relationship between N-ras gene mutation and p53 gene expression in the carcinogenesis and the development of human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC).

METHODS: The N-ras gene mutation and the p53 gene expression were analyzed in 29 cases of HCC by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: Thirteen cases of HCCs were p53 positive (44.8%), which showed a rather high percentage of p53 gene mutation in Guangxi. The aberrations at N-ras codon 2-37 were found in 79.31% of HCCs and 80.77% of adjacent non-tumorous liver tissues. More than 2 point mutations of N-ras gene were observed in 22 cases (75.86%). Twelve cases (41.37%) of HCCs showed both N-ras gene mutation and p53 gene expression.

CONCLUSIONS: N-ras gene and p53 gene may be involved in the carcinogenesis and the development of HCC. That 38% of HCCs with N-ras gene mutation did not express p53 protein indicates that some other genes or factors may participate in the carcinogenesis and the development of HCC.

Serum deprivation enhances DNA synthesis of human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells

AIM: To determine the relationship between serum deprivation or serum levels and cell proliferation of human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells.

METHODS: Human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells were grown in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) in 5% CO2 incubator at 37 °C for 24 h, and culture media were replaced to serum-free or different serum FCS levels (2.5%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 25%). Six h, 12 h, 18 h and 24 h after the culture, the cells were incorporated [³H]-TdR for 4 h. At last [³H]-TdR incorporation was detected with liquid scintillation counting.

RESULTS: DNA synthesis of SMMC-7721 cells could be sharply stimulated by short-time (6 h) serum deprivation (the cpm value of ³H-TdR incorporation of cells in serum-free was 39.32-fold higher than cells in 25% serum), and the incorporation of 3H-TdR was negatively related to the serum levels. Longer-time serum starvation (12 h, 18 h and 24 h) also greatly stimulated DNA synthesis, although the cpm value of ³H-TdR incroporation was less than that in 6 h serum deprivation. Morphology of cells cultured in different serum levels also showed significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS: Compared with other cell lines such as BEL7404 and Swiss 3T3, human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells had different response to the serum deprivation. Short-time serum deprivation could greatly stimulate DNA synthesis of human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells. Precautions must be given to the changes of serum levels for the detection of growth factors and drugs using SMMC-7721 cells as a model.

Short-term effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza in treating rat acetic acid chronic gastric ulcer and long-term effect in preventing recurrence

AIM: To study the short-term effect of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) on acetic acid induced chronic gastric ulcer in rats and its long-term effect in preventing recurrence.

METHODS: Rats with acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer were treated with Danshen and cimetidine for 30 d. Traditional gastric mucosal auto-radiography and ³H-TdR incorporation into gastric mucosa in vitro were employed to study the effects of Danshen in rat acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcer, including ulcer index (UI), ulcer inhibitory rate (IR) and label rate (LR).

RESULTS: On the day 5, 30 and 126 of ulcermaking, the UI in the Danshen group was obviously lower than that in the cimetidine group and the control group (42.3 ± 3.9, 3.6 ± 1.2, 4.4 ± 2.3; 49.1 ± 3.6, 5.9 ± 1.4, 9.2 ± 1.3; 61.0 ± 3.8, 8.9 ± 2.5, 12.4 ± 2.4, respectively, P < 0.01), the IR (%) in the Danshen group was obviously higher than that in the cimetidine group (31, 59, 64.8; 19, 33, 26, respectively), and the LR in the Danshen group was obviously higher than that in the cimetidine group and the control group (10.0 ± 0.5, 16.2 ± 0.8, 15.0 ± 0.6; 9.0 ± 0.5, 13.9 ± 0.6, 10.8 ± 0.7; 6.5 ± 0.7, 10.1 ± 0.5, 8.0 ± 0.7, respectively, P < 0.01). There was no obvious difference in UI in the Danshen group on day 30 ascompared with that on day 126.

CONCLUSION: Danshen is effective in promoting ulcer healing and preventing recurrence. The mechanism of action is to strengthen the gastric mucosal barrier and to promote the gastric mucosal cell proliferation along the edge of the ulcer.

ERCP and CT diagnosis of pancreas divisum and its relation to etiology of chronic pancreatitis

AIM: To inquire into the ERCP and CT features of pancreas divisum (PD) and its role in the etiology of chronic pancreatitis.

METHODS: Fourteen patients with PD were analyzed in regard to the findings in ERCP and CT, the activities of serum amylase and the incidence of pancreatitis. Dorsal ductography via minor papilla cannulation was performed in six of them.

RESULTS: The length of dorsal and ventral pancre-atic duct was 16.56 cm ± 2.52 cm and 5.55 cm ± 1.46 cm. Most of the patients had dilatation of dorsal (10/14) and ventral (8/14) duct and the stenosis of dorsal duct terminal (10/14). Delayed clearance of contrast in dorsal duct was found in 8 patients. The size and contour of the pancreas were normal in all the patients at conventional CT. Pan-creatitis was identified in 13 patients.

CONCLUSION: Dorsal ductography was necessary in the diagnosis of PD. Conventional CT play little role in the diagnosis of PD. Patients with PD run a higher risk of pancreatitis due to the stenosis of the minor papilla.

Stage II surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma after TAE: a report of 38 cases

AIM: To evaluate the curative effect of stage II surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma after TAE.

METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma were treated by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). When the sizes of tumors were markedly reduced after TAE, stage II surgical resections were performed.

RESULTS: Before TAE, the diameters of tumors were 12.84 cm ± 4.87 cm (x ± s), but reduced to 5.12 cm ± 1.82 cm (x ± s) after TAE (P < 0.001). Pathologic examination of the resected specimens revealed obvious necrosis in most cases. After surgery, 26 patients were alive, with the longest survival of 96 months, twelve died and 10 had tumor recurrence.

CONCLUSION: Patients in moderate and advanced stages of hepatocellular carcinoma after TAE should be treated surgically, but the indication must be controlled strictly.

A clinical evaluation of serological diagnosis for pancreatic cancer

AIM: To assess the diagnostic values of tumor markers for pancreatic cancer.

METHODS: Pancreatic cancer-associated antigen from colonic mucosa (PCAAc), pancreas-specific antigen (PaA), pancreatic oncofetal antigen (POA) and minimolecular pancreatic antigen (mPOA) were detected by double antibodies Sandwich ELISA; CA19-9, elastase 1 (E1), human pancreatic elastase 1 (HPE1) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) by radioimmunoassay (RIA); general activities of ribo-nuclease (RNase) and its isoenzymes (RNase I and RNase II) by biochemistry and PAEG; glycylproline dipeptidyl aminopeptidase (GPDA) by biochemistry and α1-antitrypsin (α 1AT) by rocket immunoelectrophoresis (rocket-IE).

RESULTS: The detection of serum POA, mPOA, PaA, PCAAc, CA19-9, RNase and RNase I was able to differentiate pancreatic cancer from the benign disorders and non-pancreatic malignancies with a sensitivity from 66.75% to 80.0% and a specificity from 88.5% to 96.69%. POA, mPOA, PCAAc, HPE1, E1 and GPDA were related to the pancreatic cancer at the head which demonstrated higher sensitivity from 63.64% to 85.71%. The detection of serum HPE1 was especially helpful for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer with smaller diameters. The determination of 3 or 4 kinds of tumor markers simultaneously would increase the detection rate of pancreatic cancer, which will be an important procedure for the diagnosis of this malignancy.ª¤

CONCLUSION: A single test of tumor markers is helpful to detect pancreatic cancerclinically, but the determination of 3 or 4 kinds of tumor markers simultaneously would significantly increase the detection rate of pancreatic cancer, which will be an important procedure for the diagnosis of this malignancy.

TRH microinjection into DVC enhances motility of rabbits gallbladder via vagus nerve

AIM: To investigate the effects of TRH in DVC on motility of the gallbladder in rabbits.

METHODS: fter fasted for 15h-18h, rabbits were anesthetized with urethane (1.0 g/kg). Gall-bladder pressure (GP) was measured by a frog bladder perfused with normal saline.

RESULTS: After microinjection of TRH (8.8 nmol, 1 μL) into DVC, GP was raised and the frequency of phasic contraction of gallbladder (FPCGB) increased. All the doses of TRH (0.13, 0.25, 0.50, 0.80, 1.30 nmol, 1 μL) injected into DVC could excite the motility of gallblader. As the dose of TRH was enlarged, the amplitude and duration of the reaction increased. Effects of TRH in DVC on motility of the gallbladder could be completely abolished by atropine (0.2 mg/g, i.v.) or vagotomy, but could not be inhibited by phentolamine iv (1.5 mg/g) or propranolol iv (1.5 mg/g)or by transecting the spinal cord.

CONCLUSION: Thyrotropin-releasing hormone in DVC can excite motility of gallbladder. This effect was mediated by vagus nerves and peripheral M receptor. Its physiological significance may be related to maintaining the phasic contraction of gallbladder in interdigestive period.

Sishengtang decoction in alleviation of toxic and side effects of transarterial embolization

AIM: To observe the therapeutic effects of Sishengtang decoction in alleviating the toxic and side effects of transarterial embolization (TAE).

METHODS: Fifty-four patients with liver cancer were divided randomly into Sishengtang decoction group (34 cases) and control group (20 cases). The changes of clinical symptoms and peripheral hemogram and some cellular immune functions were observed before and two weeks after TAE.

RESULTS: Sishengtang decoction was superior to the control group in improving the digestive tract reaction. The leucocytes of peripheral blood and cellular immune functions (activities of NK cells and LAK cells) of control group decreased obviously after TAE, while that of Sishengtang decoction group decreased slightly, without obvious difference as compared with that of preoperation.

CONCLUSIONS: Sishengtang decoction might improve the clinical symptoms and increase the leucocytes of peripheral blood and the cellular immune functions of TAE patients.

Cloning and expression of NS3 cDNA fragment of HCV genome of Hebei isolate in E. coli

AIM: To obtain greater antigenicity of HCV NS3 protein.

METHODS: The HCV NS3 cDNA fragment was amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction from the sera of the HCV infected patients. The DNA sequence was determined by dideoxy-mediated chain termination method using T7 polymerase. HCV NS3 protein was expressed in E. coli.

RESULTS: Sequence analysis indicated that the HCV isolate of this study belongs to HCV-II; SDS-PAGE demonstrated an Mr 23800 and an Mr 22000 recombinant protein band which amount to 14% and 11% of the total bacterial proteins separately. Western blotting and ELISA showed NS3 protein possessed greater antigenicity.

CONCLUSION: Recombinant HCV NS3 protein was expressed successfully, which provided the basis for developing HCV diagnostic reagents.

Pathogenetic factors affecting gastroesophageal reflux in patients with esophagitis and concomitant duodenal ulcer: a multivariate analysis

AIM: To assess the relationship between gastric acid output (GAO) and both pattern of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and esophageal lesions, and to evaluate the role of GAO and other potential pathogenetic factors in the development of esophagitis.

METHODS: Gastric acid secretory testing and 24-h intraesophageal pH monitoring were performed in 31 patients with esophagitis and concomitant duodenal ulcer (E + DU) and compared with those of 72 patients with esophagitis (E) alone.

RESULTS: The GAO in patients with E + DU was significantly higher than in patients with E (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups of patients as to endoscopicl findings and parameters of GER (P > 0.05). A multiple regression analysis with stepwise deletion showed that the presence of hiatal hernia (HH), GER in upright position and age appeared to correlate significantly with the presence of esophagitis.

CONCLUSIONS: No parallel relationship between GAO and severity of GER or esophageal lesions exists in patients with E + DU, and that GAO is not a major pathogenetic factor in GER disease.

Detection of hepatoma cells in peripheral blood of HCC patients by nested RT-PCR

AIM: To offer a more simple method with a high sensitivity and specificity for detection of hepatoma cells in peripheral blood of the patients with HCC.

METHODS: Improved nested RT-PCR method was used to detect the expression of AFP mRNA in nuclear cells separated from peripheral venous blood.

RESULTS: AFP mRNA contained in ten hepatoma cells was detected from 2 mL peripheral blood.

CONCLUSION: The improved nested RT-PCR assay for AFP mRNA expressed in cancer cells in peripheral blood might be a valuable method for clinical diagnosis of HCC.

Hepatic adenylate energy charge levels in patients with hepatoma after hepatic artery embolization

AIM: To evaluate hepatic energy charge levels of the patients with hepatoma after hepatic artery embolization and its relation to postoperative complications.

METHODS: Sixty-nine patients with hepatoma were continuously measured for their arterial blood ketone body ratio (AKBR) and compared with their postoperative clinical course or conventional liver function test after various hepatic artery embolization.

RESULTS: AKBR in high radiation dose or jaundice group drastically decreased at 1-3 d and recovered slowly. Patients were classified into three groups according to the value of AKBR: group A (35 cases), AKBR remained higher than 0.7; group B (31 cases), AKBR had transiently dropped to 0.4-0.7 and then increased to preoperative value; and group C (3 cases), AKBR decreased steadily to below 0.4. The occurrence rate of various complications were 5.7%, 32.3% and 100% in the three groups, respectively (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSION: The AKBR which reflects hepatic mitochondria redox state is morereliable as a direct indicator to assess hepatic tolerance for embolization than routine liver function test.

Regulatory effects of lipopolysaccharide in murine macrophage proliferation

AIM:To study the regulatory effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in murine macrophage proliferation.METHODS:Using murine peritoneal exudate macrophage (PEM) and macrophage cell line J(774) A.1 as targets, LPS effects on M-CSF and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) stimulated macrophage colony-forming cells (CFU-M) were detected. (125)I-GM-CSF receptor binding assay was used to examine LPS regulation on GM-CSF receptor expres-sion.RT-PCR was employed to test TGF-beta(1) inhibition on IFN-gamma mRNA expression on macrophage induced by LPS.RESULTS:Without direct effect on macrophage proliferation, LPS could inhibit the macrophage proliferation stimulated by GM-CSF.However,with the concomitant existence of GM-CSF and TGF-beta(1), the LPS inhibitory effect was eliminated.RT-PCR analysis indicated that the strongest mac-rophage growth inhibitory factor IFN-gammamRNA expression in macrophage induced by LPS was remarkably suppressed by TGF-beta(1), (125)I-GM-CSF receptor binding assay showed that LPS could enhance GM-CSF receptor expression likewise as TGF-beta(1).CONCLUSION:LPS is involved in the network of macrophage proliferative regulation by multiple cytokines, displaying inhibitory and stimulatory effects based on the coexisting cytokines.