[Histamine-1 and -2 receptors in hepatic tissues of cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension]

OBJECTIVE

To study histamine-1 and histamine-2 receptors in hepatic tissues of cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension.

METHOD

Light autoradiography was used.

RESULT

The density of histamine-2 (H-2) receptors (cirrhotic patients/controls) in hepatocytes was 168.4 +/- 22.6/511.9 +/- 37.6 (P < 0.01), in hepatic vein 238.8 +/- 40.7/313.0 +/- 52.4 (P < 0.01), in hepatic artery 55.6 +/- 7.1/175.4 +/- 26.1 (P < 0.01), and in portal vein 52.0 +/- 5.4/166.4 +/- 17.7 (P < 0.01). The density of histamine-1 receptors in hepatocytes, hepatic vein, hepatic artery and portal vein was not statistically changed between cirrhotic patients and controls (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The density of H-2 receptors in hepatic tissues of cirrhotic patients decreased significantly.

[Effect of phentolamine on portal pressure in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension]

Changes of hepatic venous wedge pressure (WHVP) and portal venous pressure (PVP) in fourteen patients with postnecrotic cirrhosis proved pathologically and seven patients with colon carcinoma without hepatopathy were observed before and after the infusion of alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist phentolamine from peripheral venous. The results indicate that phentolamine can reduce WHVP and PVP of cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension efficiently (0.56-0.63 kPa, 0.42-0.50 kPa, respectively, P < 0.01), but it effects arterial diastolic pressure and heart rate simultaneously (arterial diastolic pressure reduced by 0.94-10.7 kPa, while heart rate increased by 8.67-10.67 per minute). Phentolamine doec not reduce portal pressure on patients without portal hypertension.

[The biosafety of non-viral gene delivery vectors]

The biosafety of gene delivery vectors has received much more attention in recent years. In this article, the biosafety of non-viral gene delivery vectors was mainly discussed. Recent developments in researches on toxicity, nano-effect, blood compatibility and immune response of non-viral gene delivery vectors were reviewed.

One year observation of immunotherapy for Artemisia hay fever in China: a clinical and immunological study

A controlled trial of one year immunotherapy was conducted in 50 Artemisia-sensitive hay fever patients (treatment group). From October 1985 to July 1986, all of the treatment group patients received one year regular injection of Artemisia pollen allergen extract totalling 30,000 protein nitrogen units (PNU). For these patients, symptom score indices of the posttreatment 1986 pollination season were compared with those from the pretreatment 1985 season and also with the scores of a similar group of 30 Artemisia-sensitive patients treated only with symptomatic medications during the 1986 season (control group). The 1986 symptom scores to the treatment group were significantly improved and the effective rate was 78%. Immunological study with the Human Basophil Degranulation Test (HBDT) showed a significant decrease in degranulation reactions after immunotherapy. Moreover, The decline of the HBDT positive rate in the treatment group was significantly greater in patients with improved symptoms than patients with unchanged symptoms. No difference was observed in basophil degranulation in those patients tested with a pollen-free plant extract, which was not applied in immunotherapy. The results suggested that immunotherapy could induce desensitization of basophils and that the induction might be allergen specific. Basophil desensitization may play an important role in the mechanism of immunotherapy.

[Effect of alginate purity on microencapsulated hepatocyte overgrowth in peritoneal transplantation]

OBJECTION

To study the effect of alginate purity on microcapsule overgrowth in peritoneal transplantation.

METHODS

Alginate was purified by filtration and chloroform/butanol extraction. Using purified and crude alginate to make two kinds of microencapsulated hepatocytes (MHs), we transplanted 5 ml of each kind of MHs into the peritoneal cavities of rats. After 2 weeks, 1, 2, and 6 months, MHs were washed out to study overgrowth of MH, histology, enzyme and albumin of hepatocytes. Human lymphocytes transformation was measured by 3H-TdR incorporation with two kinds of alginate solutions.

RESULTS

The amount of retrieved MHs was larger in the purified than in the crude ( P < 0.01). In the purified groups, most hepatocytes had normal features of morphology, enzymatic histochemistry, and albumin immunohistochemistry staining after one month of transplantation, but were damaged in the crude groups only 2 weeks later. Microcapsules were smooth, regular and had no overgrowth during 6 months in the purified but overgrowth one month later after transplantation in the crude. The liquid scintillation counting (cpm) was lower in the purified than in the crude.

CONCLUSION

The purified alginate could reduce the overgrowth of MH and improve the function of hepatocytes significantly.

Alpha-1 adrenergic receptors in liver plasma membranes of cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension: a quantitative study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors in cirrhotic liver and the relationship between the changes and the pathogenesis of portal hypertension.

METHODS

The concentration and affinity of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors in the liver plasma membranes of posthepatitic cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension were quantitatively measured using radioligand binding analysis.

RESULTS

Compared with 8 controls without hepatic pathological changes, the maximal binding capacity (Bmax) of 9 posthepatitic cirrhotic patients decreased (129.1 +/- 12.0 vs 142.1 +/- 14.1 fmol/mg protein, P > 0.05), dissociation constant (Kd) values increased (0.3945 +/- 0.0974 vs 0.2382 +/- 0.0548 nmol/L, P < 0.01), and the receptor maximal content (RMC) decreased (417.4 +/- 76.8 vs 739.9 +/- 167.6 fmol/g liver, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The decreased concentration and affinity of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors may play an important role in the metabolic disturbances of catecholamines often seen in some cirrhotic patients, and have implications in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension.

[The role of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension.

METHODS

We measured the portal venous pressure of 75 patients via a catheter and detected the levels of plasma endotoxin and NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-).

RESULTS

The mean levels of plasma endotoxin and NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) (0.249 +/- 0.112 Eu/ml and 55.9 +/- 26.2 micromol/L) in portal hypertensive patients were significantly higher than those in the controls, and the highest values were observed in the portal venous blood. The mean portal venous pressure of the portal hypertensive patients was 35.5 +/- 4.4 cm H(2)O and was positively correlated with the levels of NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) (n = 25, r = 0.55, P < 0.01). Positive correlation existed between them during the postoperative period (r = 0.57, P < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between the levels of albumin and NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) (n = 75, r = -0.35, P < 0.01), and the mean levels of NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) were 72.4 +/- 20.3 micromol/L in the patients with ascites, much higher than those (50.3 +/- 21.0 micromol/L) without ascites.

CONCLUSIONS

The levels of plasma endotoxin and nitric oxide were elevated in patients with portal hypertension, and NO might play an important role in the abnormal elevation of portal venous pressure and the damage to liver function.

[Melanoma antigen-3 expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of melanoma antigen-3 (MAGE-3) mRNA in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and probe into the theoretical feasibility that MAGE-3 antigens can be developed as a new peptide vaccine for immunotherapy in HCC patients.

METHODS

The expression of MAGE-3 mRNA in HCC tissues and the adjacent non-HCC liver tissues was studied using RT-PCR in 45 HCC patients. The results were compared with those of 16 cirrhotic patients and 12 patients whose liver tissues were pathologically normal. MAGE-3 mRNA positive PCR products were DNA sequenced in 3 HCC patients. The sequenced fragments of MAGE-3 cDNA were used as template by which a [alpha(32)P] labeled probe was synthesized and employed for Southern blot analysis. HLA class I-A and -B typing of 43 HCC patients were assayed by ELISA.

RESULTS

Of the 45 HCC samples, 35 (78%) expressed MAGE-3 mRNA and six HCC adjacent tissues were also positive in MAGE-3 expression. Pathological examination showed cellular heteromorphism in these adjacent tissues. The non-HCC liver tissues from cirrhosis and normal liver samples were not MAGE-3 mRNA detectable. The DNA sequence confirmed that the target gene fragment in all of the 3 samples of PCR products was MAGE-3 cDNA. Southern blotting result confirmed that of RT-PCR assay. In HCC patients, the predominant types of HLA were A(2) (53.5%), A(11) (25.6%), A(24) (20.9%), A(33) (20.9%), B(13) (28.3%), and B(35) (23.2%). MAGE-3 mRNA expression in HCC showed no correlation with the level of serum AFP and the size of the tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

MAGE-3 mRNA is expressed at a high percentage of HCC samples. This tumor rejection antigen may be used as peptide vaccine for immunotherapy of HCC patients. The phenomena that some non-HCC adjacent tissues with heteromorphism can express MAGE-3 like their paired HCC tissues indicate that the expression of MAGE-3 may be an indicator in the early stage of carcinogenesis of liver tissues.

[Uptake of drug-containing nanoparticles in dog catotid and femoral arteries]

OBJECTIVE

To study the uptake of drug-containing nanoparticles in artery for local therapy of restenosis.

METHODS

Polylactic polyglycolic acid copolymer (PLGA) nanoparticles containing an antiproliferative agent 2-amino-chromone were formulated with an oil-in-water sonication emulsion/solvent evaporation technique. Arterial uptake of nanoparticles was assessed both in vitro and in vivo models of dog and rat carotid and femoral arteries. Epoxide, cyanoacrylate, fibrinogen, fibronectin, didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DMAB), L-alpha-phosphatidylethanolaine, and lipofectin were selected to modify the surface of nanoparticles to enhance arterial uptake of nanoparticles.

RESULTS

The nanoparticle size ranged from 100 nm to 200 nm, the drug loading in nanoparticles was about 15%, the nanoparticle morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy and showed spherical shape with smooth surface. Arterial uptake of nanoparticles was enhanced greatly by surface modified nanoparticle with positively charged active agent DMAB. Once nanoparticles located in artery, a high drug level could be maintained at local site for 2 days in vivo model.

CONCLUSION

The primary results of animal experiments suggested that nanoparticle could be used as drug carrier of local drug delivery for treating cardiovascular diseases.

A double-blind trial of oral immunotherapy for Artemisia pollen asthma with evaluation of bronchial response to the pollen allergen and serum-specific IgE antibody

Eighteen asymptomatic Artemisia pollen asthma patients with normal pulmonary function were selected for a double-blind trial of oral immunotherapy. Each patient had a positive skin test to Artemisia pollen extract and also a positive bronchial challenge response to the same extract. The patients were randomly assigned to active treatment or placebo group and received intensive oral administration of Artemisia pollen extract over a 50-day course. The nine patients who received the active treatment ingested a cumulative dose of 396,652 PNU and showed a significant decrease in serum-specific IgE antibodies (P less than .05) and a significant reduction in bronchial sensitivity to the same extract (P less than .01). The changes in these two variables correlated well (r = .8787, P less than .01). The nine patients who received the placebo showed no significant changes in serum-specific IgE or bronchial sensitivity to Artemisia pollen extract. Follow-up of two cases with the same extract showed that the reductions in serum-specific IgE as well as bronchial sensitivity induced by oral immunotherapy were maintained for 3 months.

Mechanisms for synergistic activation of thyroid hormone receptor and retinoid X receptor on different response elements

The thyroid hormone receptors (TR) form heterodimers with the retinoid X receptors (RXR) and activate target genes through thyroid-responsive elements (TRE). Heterodimerization elevates the DNA binding efficiency and thus can result in functional synergism between TR and RXR. Here we demonstrate that DNA sequences dictate the cooperative activation between TR and RXR despite the high affinity binding of the heterodimer to those TREs. We provide evidence that the C-terminal activation domain of RXR can modulate the triiodothyronine (T3) responsiveness of TR/RXR heterodimers on reporter genes without altering the DNA binding properties of the heterodimers. The modulation function of this relatively small region is under the control of specific TRE sequences and promoter context. These data indicate that this C-terminal region of RXR is likely involved in receptor-cellular factor(s) interactions. Finally, we propose that the synergistic activation by TR and RXR is achieved through elevated DNA binding and, dependent on the DNA sequence, the interaction of RXR with other transcription factors.

[Adrenoceptors in the hepatic tissues in cirrhotic rats and cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension]

OBJECTIVE

To study the density of alpha 1-adrenoceptors on hepatic tissues of cirrhotic rats and cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension.

METHODS

A light autoradiography of alpha 1-adrenoreceptors on hepatic tissues of Wistar rats in the process of CC1(4)-induced cirrhosis (n = 18) and hepatitis virus B-related cirrhotic patients (n = 8) were studied.

RESULTS

The density of alpha 1-adrenoceptors on hepatic tissues (per 10,000 microns2) in rats (normal/cirrhotic early stage/cirrhotic middle stage/cirrhotic advanced stage) was 946 +/- 100/431 +/- 54/567 +/- 92/692 +/- 55 for hepatocytes, 581 +/- 90/250 +/- 87/273 +/- 92/273 +/- 88 for intrahepatic artery walls, 470 +/- 83/260 +/- 75/258 +/- 77/253 +/- 83 for intrahepatic portal walls, 362 +/- 92/229 +/- 64/218 +/- 87/212 +/- 90 for hepatic venule walls and in patients (control human beings/cirrhotic patients) it was 1255 +/- 151/583 +/- 48 for hepatocytes, 705 +/- 189/184 +/- 47 for intrahepatic artery walls 410 +/- 89/ 154 +/- 21 for intrahepatic portal walls 339 +/- 95/... ...for hepatic venule walls.

CONCLUSION

The density of alpha 1-adrenoceptors on various hepatic structures in cirrhotic rats and cirrhotic patients are significantly lower than that in normal rats and control human beings (P < 0.01).

[The level of serum gastrin and ulceration in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension]

A higher incidence of gastric and duodenum ulcer was well recognized in patients with liver cirrhosis, but the mechanism has not been fully identified. In this study, serum gastrin, free portal pressure (FPP) were measured in 24 consecutively admitted cirrhotic portal hypertensive patients, and preoperative basic acid output (BAO) was measured in 13 randomized patients. Among the 24 patients, concomitant duodenal ulcers were found in 3 by both gastroduodenoscopy and barium series, and gastritis was found in all patients. It was found that most patients (71%) with liver cirrhosis have a elevated level in serum gastrin, whereas BAO is lower than normal in all patients, and the higher the FPP, the lower the BAO is. We believe that the congestive gastroduodenal mucosal lesion was underlying the ulceration most often seen in patients with portal hypertension.

[A quantitative study on alpha-1 adrenergic receptor in the liver of Wistar rats during the process of CCl4-induced hepatic cirrhosis]

In this study, radioligand binding analysis was used to quantitatively measure the concentration and affinity of alpha-1 adrenergic receptor in the liver of Wistar rats during the process of CCl4-induced liver cirrhosis. It was found that compared with normal controls, the maximal binding capacity (Bmax) of alpha-1 adrenergic receptor in the liver of 13 pre-cirrhotic rats decreased from 132.8 +/- 25.0fmol/mg to 96.9 +/-20.8fmol/mg of protein (P < 0.01) with increased dissociation constant (Kd, from 0.1633 +/- 0.0322nM to 0.3079 +/- 0.0786nM, P < 0.01). The Bmax in 20 cirrhotic rats decreased significantly from 132.8 +/- 25.0fmol/mg to 71.9 +/- 17.7fmol/mg of protein (P < 0.01), while Kd values increased from 0.1633 +/- 0.0322nM to 0.4012 +/- 0.0965nM (P < 0.01). These findings indicate that the decrease of binding capacity and affinity of alpha adrenergic receptor may play a role in the disturbances of metabolism of catecholamine often seen in some cirrhotic patients and have implications in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension.

[Effect of somatostatin on portal and hepatic hemodynamics and portal venous pressure in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of somatostatin on hepatic and portal hemodynamics and portal venous pressure in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension.

METHOD

Colorful doppler ultrasonography was used to measure the diameter and maximum hemokinetic velocity of portal vein and hepatic vein before and after intravenous administration somatostatin, and thus their hemokinetic volume was calculated respectively. Among 15 surgical patients, changes of the portal venous pressure were observed via a catheter before and after the administration of somatostatin.

RESULT

One hour and 1.5 hour after the administration, the pressure of portal vein significantly decreased from 2.77 +/- 0.26 kPa to 2.42 +/- 0.27 kPa and 2.40 +/- 0.27 kPa, respectively (P < 0.01). The systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and heart rate showed no significant changes. After the administration, the sectional area of portal vein decreased by 7.28% but without significance. The maximum hemokinetic velocity of portal vein significantly decreased by 18.96% (from 19.72 +/- 7.75 cm/sec to 15.98 +/- 7.26 cm/sec, P < 0.01). The mean total hemokinetic volume increased from 1786.22 +/- 926.37 ml/min to 1836.17 +/- 844.24 ml/min, but without significance (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Continuous instillation of somatostatin via peripheral vein can decrease the portal venous pressure in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. The mechanism may be the decrease of hemokinetic volume caused by the decrease of hemokinetic velocity of the portal vein.

[The level of expression of adhesion molecules CD44v6 and E-cadherin in colorectal cancer and analysis of correlates with metastasis]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the expression of adhesion molecules CD44v6 and E cadherin in colorectal cancer and its relation with metastasis.

METHODS

The expression of CD44v6 and E-cadherin in 32 patients with colorectal carcinoma was investigated using immunohistochemical staining, which was performed on surgical specimens.

RESULTS

No significant correlation with CD44v6 and histologic type, TNM and Dukes staging was noted, but it was significantly correlated with lymph node and hematogenous metastasis. E-cadherin was strongly expressed in normal epithelium examined. However, E-cadherin expression in colorectal carcinoma was reduced (positive rate 46.9%). Metastatic colorectal carcinoma showed significant reduction (positive rate 20%).

CONCLUSION

CD44v6, E-cadherin immunoreactivity are significantly correlated with lymph node and hematogenous metastasis.

[The levels of renin activity, angiotensin converting enzyme and angiotensin II in cirrhotic patients with ascites undergoing portacaval shunt]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes of plasma renin activity (PRA), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II and portal venous pressure (PVP) in cirrhotic patients with ascites undergoing portacaval shunt.

METHODS

Serum PRA, ACE, A II levels in portal vein, artery, peripheral vein and PVP were measured in 16 cirrhotic patients with ascites before and after portacaval shunts and in control group of 16 cases of gastrointestinal carcinoma. By light colorimetric analysis and radio-immunization assay.

RESULTS

PRA, ACE, A II levels and PVP of pre- and after portacaval shunt were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than the control group (P < 0.05), and they were significantly decreased after the shunt in the cirrhotic patients (P < 0.05). The PVP was in positive correlation to the levels of serum ACE in cirrhotic patients (r = 0.48, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The levels of serum PRA, ACE, A II and PVP decreased significantly in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension after portacaval shunts. It may be major causes of ascites disappearance in cirrhotic patients after portacaval shunt.

[Computed sonography observation on the effects of cimetidine on the liver blood flow in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension]

The effects of cimetidine on the hepatic and portal vein blood flow were investigated in 20 cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension by computed sonography. Cimetidine given intravenously at a dose of 0.4g significantly increased the hepatic vein blood flow (60.2% +/- 63.6%, P < 0.01), at the same time its calculated cross section area increased by 40.2% +/- 81.3% (P < 0.01). The portal vein blood flow increased by 53.2% +/- 52.3% (P < 0.01). While its cross section area was 16.8% +/- 17.3% (P < 0.01). These results showed that the histamine H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine may dilate liver vascular bed and reduce portal blood flow resistance in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension.

Serum levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of catecholamines in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension.

METHODS

Serum epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) concentrations in the peripheral vein, portal vein and superior vena cava (SVC) were measured by high pressure liquid chromatography in 38 portal hypertensive patients, 28 idiopathic hypertensive patients and 34 controls, respectively.

RESULTS

Peripheral venous E concentrations in portal hypertensive patients and controls were 57.5 +/- 37.4 ng/L and 23.5 +/- 11.2 ng/L, respectively (P < 0.01), and peripheral venous NE concentrations were 451.1 +/- 381.2 ng/L and 183.0 +/- 83.3 ng/L, respectively (P < 0.01). Compared with controls, peripheral venous E (54.9 +/- 39.9 ng/L vs 23.5 +/- 11.2 ng/L, P < 0.01) and NE (524.3 +/- 219.9 ng/L vs 183.0 +/- 83.3 ng/L, P < 0.01) in idiopathic hypertensive patients were also significantly increased. E and NE in SVC, portal vein and peripheral artery in portal hypertensive patients were also increased, but only the elevation of E in SVC was statistically significant (207.2 +/- 55.4 ng/L vs 83.7 +/- 46.7 ng/L, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our results reveal significant metabolic disorders of E and NE in portal hypertensive patients, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension.