Screening for the protective effect target of deproteinized extract of calf blood and its mechanisms in mice with CCl4-induced acute liver injury

Liver injury is a common pathological basis of various liver diseases, and long-term liver injury is often an important initiation factor leading to liver fibrosis and even liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It has been reported that deproteinized extract of calf blood (DECB) can inhibit the replication of hepatitis B virus and confers a protective effect on the liver after traumatic liver injury. However, few studies on the regulatory factors and mechanisms of DECB have been reported. In this current study, an acute mouse liver injury model was established with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). The differentially expressed genes and related cell signal transduction pathways were screened using mRNA expression microarray. STEM software V1.3.6 was used for clustering gene functions, and the DAVID and KEGG databases were applied for the analysis. A total of 1355 differentially expressed genes were selected, among which nine were validated by RT-qPCR. The results showed that the Fas, IL1b, Pik3r1, Pik3r5, Traf2, Traf2, Csf2rb2, Map3k14, Pik3cd and Ppp3cc genes were involved in the regulation of DECB in an acute mouse liver injury model. Targets of the protective effects of DECB and its related mechanisms were found in mice with acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride, which may provide an important theoretical basis for further DECB research.

[Effect of combined application of deproteinised calf serum injection and acupuncture on cerebral ischemia in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To study the efficacy of combined application of deproteinised calf serum injection (DCSI) and acupuncture in treating cerebral ischemia (CI) in rats.

METHODS

Ninety Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, CI model, Acupunct (acupuncture), DCSI, Acupunct + DCSI groups, with 18 cases in each group. CI model was duplicated by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). DCSI (80 mg/kg) was given via the rat's tail vein, once daily for 7 days. Acupuncture was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20), "Shuigou" (GV 26), "Neiguan" (PC 6), "Hegu" (LI 4), "Taichong" (LR 3) and "Zusanli" (ST 36), once daily for 7 days. The neurological deficit score (NDS), cerebral infarct volume (CIV), water and lactic acid (LA) contents in cerebral tissues were measured.

RESULTS

In comparison with control group, NDS, CIV, cerebral water content and LA in model group increased significantly (P<0.05); while compared with model group, NDS, CIV, cerebral water content and LA in Acupunct, DCSI and Acupunct + DCSI groups decreased significantly (P<0.05). Comparison among DCSI group, Acupunct group and DCSI + Acupunct group showed that NDS, CIV, cerebral water and LA contents of Acupunct + DCSI group were significantly lower than those of the former two groups (P<0.05). No significant differences were found between DCSI and Acupunct groups in the above-mentioned 4 indexes (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Combined application of DCSI and acupuncture has a definite effect in improving cerebral ischemia and is superior to that of simple acupuncture or DCSI alone.

[Separation and culture of human epidermal stem cells in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the culture method for epidermal stem cells in vitro.

METHODS

The epidermis was separated from the dermis, and shaken for 10 min in 0.05% trypsin at 37 C to dissociate into single cells. Epidermal stem cells were selected by rapid attachment to collagen IV for 10-15 min and cultured on collagen IV or 3T3 feeder layer. All the cells were grown in DMEM without calcium, supplemented with 10% chelexed fetal bovine serum, 10 microg/L epidermal growth factor, 0.05 mmol/L CaCl2 and 0. 8 mg/L hydrocortisone. Cultures were observed for colony formation under a phase contrast microscope. The phenotypes of epidermal stem cells were detected by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry staining.

RESULTS

The cells selected by rapid adherence to collagen IV formed large colonies at 7- 8 days, expressed K19 antigen. The percentages of cells at the G0 and G1 phases of the cell cycle and the percentage of alpha 6 briCD71 dim cells in the experimental groups were higher than those in the control group. It indicated that there was a significant difference between the experimental groups and the control groups(P<0. 05).

CONCLUSION

The human epidermal stem cells can be selected by rapid attachment to collagen IV, and they can be expanded in culture if the appropriate conditions are maintained.

[Proliferation inhibiting and apoptosis inducing effects of parthenolide on human multiple myeloma cells]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of parthenolide (PTL) on human multiple myeloma (MM) cells in vitro and its mechanism.

METHODS

Human MM cells of the line PRMI8266 were cultured and treated with PTL of the concentrations of 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 micromol/L for 24, 48, or 72 hours. MM cells treated with DMSO were used as control group. The optical density was measured so as to draw a growth curve. The cell viability was detected by MTT and trypan-blue exclusion. The apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. AO/EB staining and Wright-Giemsa staining were used to observe the morphological changes of the cells by fluorescence microscope and light microscope respectively. The caspase-3 activity was evaluated by BD ApoAlert Caspase Colorimetric Assay Kit.

RESULTS

PTL significantly inhibited the proliferation and viability of the MM cells time and dose-dependently (all P < 0.01), and significantly induced the cell apoptosis after 48 h in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). The early cell apoptosis rates for PTL of the concentrations of 2, 5 and 10 micromol/L were 17.1% +/- 2.6%, 33.6% +/- 3.8%, and 40.9% +/- 3.1% respectively, all significantly higher than that of the control group (5.6% +/- 1.2%, all P < 0.01). The MM cells treated with PTL of the concentration of 5 micromol/L for 48 h showed typical cell apoptotic features. The caspase-3 activity of the MM cells was enhanced significantly by PTL in a time and dose-dependent manner (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This first report of anti-proliferation and apoptosis induction effects of PTL on MM cells shows that able to significantly inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of MM cells and enhance the caspase-3 activity, PTL may be a potentially useful drug for treatment of MM.

[Blocking the gastrin/cholecystokinin-B receptor autocrine loop influences the growth and apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells]

OBJECTIVE

To study whether gastrin/cholecystokinin-B (CCK-B) receptor autocrine loop exists in human gastric cancer cells and the effects of gastrin/CCK-B receptor autocrine loop on the growth and apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells.

METHODS

Human gastric cancer cells of the line SGC-7901 were cultured. The expression of gastrin and CCK-B was detected by RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay. Antibody against gastrin was added so as to block the autocrine loop to observe the growth rate, cell cycle and apoptosis by 3-(4.5-dimethylthiazol-z-yl) -2, 5-diphenyl tertrazolium blue (MMT) colorimetric assay and flow cytometry (FCM).

RESULTS

The SGC-7901 cells co-expressed gastrin and CCK-B receptor mRNAs, confirmed by sequencing, thus forming gastrin/the CCK-B receptor autocrine loop. After the blocking of the autocrine loop by antibody against gastrin, the cell growth rate and the number of cells residing in the S-phase of the cell cycle decreased and the apoptotic rate increased in an antibody concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

Human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells possess the gastrin/the CCK-B receptor autocrine loop. Blocking the autocrine loop inhibits the cell proliferation and promotes the cell apoptosis.

[Experimental study on porcine keratinocytes cultured and purified rapidly and cocultured on acellular amnion in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To explore an effective method to culture and purify porcine keratinocytes, to observe the morphological characteristics of porcine keratinocytes growing on acellular amnion and to offer the experimental basis for that the amnion is used for tissue engineering.

METHODS

The primary porcine keratinocytes were cultivated with DKSFM (Defined keratinocyte-SFM) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). The second passage porcine keratinocytes were cultivated with the medium of DKSFM containing different concentrations of FBS. Because of the speciality that keratinocytes stick to flask fast, we purified the keratinocytes by 0.02% EDTA and 0.05% trypsin step by step. The second passage keratinocytes were seeded on amnion, the keratinocytes/amnion composites were observed by dye directly, histopathology and immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

The proliferation of the primary porcine keratinocytes cultured with the medium of DKSFM containing 10% FBS was fast and the morphological characteristics were good. The cultivated porcine keratinocytes expanded to 60%-70% of the total area of the bottle of the flask after 5 days. The proliferation of the second passage porcine keratinocytes cultivated with the medium that DKSFM containing 5% FBS was faster than the second porcine keratinocytes cultured with the medium of DKSFM containing 10% FBS, or DKSFM without FBS. The proliferation of the second passage porcine keratinocytes cultivated with DKSFM without FBS was the slowest one among the 3 medium. The porcine keratinocytes that were purified by 0.02% EDTA and 0.05% trypsin step by step were got with high pure. After the keratinocytes were cultivated on the surface of amnion 12 days, the keratinocytes form a single layer on the surface of amnion and the cells were polygon and arranged like slab- stone. After 14 and 16 days, the cells contacted more closely. But at 16 days after the cells were seeded, some of the cells got aging.

CONCLUSION

To culture primary porcine keratinocytes with the medium that DKSFM containing 10% FBS and to cultivate the second passage with the medium containing 5% FBS, the proliferation of porcine keratinocytes are faster. The method that purify the porcine keratinocytes is effective. Acellular amnion offers excellent bioscaffold to support keratinocytes to adhere and grow. After the porcine keratinocytes are cultivated on the surface of the acellular amnion 12 days, the morphologic characteristics are better than that of other groups.

Intra-articular injection of deproteinized hemodialysate in osteoarthritis of the knee: a case-series

OBJECTIVE

To report the efficacy of intra-articular injection of deproteinized hemodialysate including its side effects in a case-series of knee osteoarthritic (OA) patients.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Intra-articular injection of deproteinized hemodialysate was performed in 17 subjects (3 male and 14 female) with primary knee OA. Their average age was 63 years (min, max = 50, 80 yrs). The X-ray appearance was grade II-III according to Kellgren-Lawrence criteria.

MEASUREMENTS

100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) and any side effects.

RESULTS

The mean (95% CI) of the VAS before and after injection were 70.0 (59.9-80.1) and 42.7 (31.2-54.2) respectively, with a p-value of < 0.001. The mean difference in pain score was 27.35 (95% CI = 17.0-37.7). The symptoms of knee pain resolved in an average of 4.8 (2.9) days (min, max = 1, 10). No side effects were found.

CONCLUSION

Intra-articular injection of deproteinized hemodialysate is effective and safe. However, a further controlled trial with an adequate sample size should be performed to confirm the efficacy as well as to detect any adverse effects of this drug.

Modification of late radiation damage in the rectum of rats by deproteinized calf blood serum (ActoHorm) and pentoxifylline (PTX)

PURPOSE

Prevention and treatment of radiation-induced late rectal ulcer using deproteinized calf blood serum (ActoHorm) or pentoxifylline.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rectal ulcers were induced in Wistar rats using single X-ray doses of 20, 22 and 24 Gy. ActoHorm or pentoxifylline were given at various times after irradiation. The induced rectal damage was assessed by clinical examination, rectoscopy and histology of the post-mortem specimens.

RESULTS

Neither ActoHorm nor pentoxifylline affected the incidence or latency or had any pronounced effect on healing of late rectal ulcers. Histological examination showed increased regenerative activity of the mucosal epithelium in all ActoHorm treated animals.

CONCLUSION

Neither ActoHorm nor pentoxifylline prevented the development of radiation-induced rectal ulcers. The stimulation of mucosal epithelium with ActoHorm might, however, be effective in healing of superficial erosions of the intestinal mucosa.

Interactions between local and generalised burn edema

In judging the infusion therapy of burn injuries, not only the circulatory and pulmonary effects are considered but also the local effect on burned tissue. Local edema leads to hypoxia as well as to the burn-specific sludge phenomenon. Microcirculation and edema are often adversely influenced by our therapeutic efforts. Therapeutic proteinase inhibition, for example, has a beneficial effect on edema formation but reduces spontaneous fibrinolytic activity and thus increases the sludge phenomenon. Standardized experimental scalds of 30% of the body surface in rabbits increased density of the lungs, as determined by computed tomography. Colloidal infusion therapy was found to diminish fluid shift into the lung more than crystalloid infusion therapy. However, all tested infusion regimens, using identical quantity, increased edema formation in the burned skin. Biseco (natural serum proteins containing igG, igA and igM; Fa. Biotest, Frankfurt, F.R.G.) and Solcoseryl (a protein-free extract of calf blood stimulating the oxygen efficiency; Fa. Solco Basel) were demonstrated to diminish local edema formation as well as lung edema secondary to burn injuries.

[Animal experimental studies on bone regeneration after the implantation of heteroplastic materials]

The healing of standardized bony defects in the region of the mandible following implantation of various heterologous bony components was controlled in animal experiments via polychromatic sequential labeling. The implant of gelatin foam did not accelerate healing. The combination of gelatin and solcoseryl led to accelerated mineralization in the marginal area. Mature collagen affected rapid healing of the bony defect, as did the implantation of a combination of Solcoseryl and bone meal.