The effects of heparin on the expression of transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁) and two extracellular matrix components laminin (LN) and fibronectin (FN) in diabetic rat glomeruli were investigated. Twenty-six rats were randomly divided into control group (C,n=8), diabetic group (D,n=9), and diabetes+heparin group (DH,n=9). After 8-week therapy of heparin (200 U once daily by abdominal injection), TGF-β₁, LN and FN expression in glomeruli was detected by immunohistochemical method. The results showed that the expression levels of TGF-β₁, LN and FN were higher in group D than in group C. It was found that heparin could reduce 24-h urinary albumin excretion and inhibit overexpression of TGF-β₁, LN and FN in glomeruli of diabetic rats. It suggested that the inhibitory effect of heparin on diabetic glomerular sclerosis was at least partly related with the inhibition of TGF-β₁ expression.

To observe the effect of multiple electroacupuncture (EA) on the pain threshold and the regulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of neuropathic pain rats. Rats were prepared with a unilateral chronic constriction injury (CCI) to the sciatic nerve. EA was done in acupoints “Huan Tiao” and “Yang Ling Quan” for 30 min every day and the thermal thresholds were detected after EA at 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 days after operation. On day 14 after nerve injury, the in situ hybridization method was used to investigate the change of NMDA R1 mRNA in L4–L5 DRG. The thermal threshold reduced significantly from day 3 after operation in CCI rats. After multiple EA treatment, the ipsilateral thermal hyperalgesia relieved gradually and the thermal threshold had no difference with control side after day 5 (P>0.05). From Day 7 after operation, the thermal threshold at each time point were significantly different compared with CCI group respectively (P>0.05). Moreover the EA had accumulative effect. On Day 14 after operation, the NMDAR1 mRNA positive neurons and the mean optic density in ipsilateral L4–5, DRG were less than that of control side (P<0.05), mainly in medium and small neurons. After EA treatment, the NMDAR1 mRNA positive neurons in ipsilateral DRG had no considerable difference comparing with those of control side, significantly increased comparing with CCI group (P<0.05). It’s concluded that the NMDA receptors in DRG relate closely with the generation and development of neuropathic pain. The multiple EA treatment can attenuate the thermal hyperlgesia of neuropathic pain rats and regulate the NMDA receptor.

To study the influence of recombinant endostatin on angiogenesis and tumor growth of mice H22 hepatoma, tumor models were constructed by injecting H22 hepatoma cells into the leg muscle of mice. Recombinant endostatin was produced by gene engineering in E. coli. The recombinant protein was injected subcutaneously to treat transplanted hepatoma faraway. The weight of tumors was measured, and the changes of necrosis of tumor cells and vessel density were observed by immunohistochemistry. The results suggested that the growth of hepatoma models transplanted in the muscle of legs was suppressed by recombinant endostatin. The density of vacularity was decreased, but the necrosis of tumor cells increased. The inhibitory effect of recombinant endostatin on angiogenesis and tumor growth of hepatoma was not affected after chemotherapy.

To compare the effects of polysaccharide nucleic acid fraction of bacillus calmette guerin (BCG-PSN) and thymopeptides on T-lymphocytes of normal and immunosuppressed mice, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-lymphocyte subsets of single nucleic cell in thymus, spleen and peripheral blood were detected successively by flow cytometry after application of BCG-PSN and thymopeptides. Meanwhile, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio was also calculated. The results showed that both BCG-PSN and thymopeptides could decrease the proportion of CD4⁺ CD8⁺ T-lymphocyte subsets in the thymus, at the same time increase CD4⁺ T-lymphocyte, CD8⁺ T-lymphocyte proportion in the three tissues. The fluctuation in amplitude was greater in thymopeptides group than that in BCG-PSN group. It is concluded that acting location of thymopeptides is in thymus, its stimulating action is stronger than that of BCG-PSN, while BCG-PSN not only accelerates the differentiation in thymus, but also has some direct stimulation to peripheral CD4⁺ T-lymphocytes, and can maintain CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio within normal range. So, BCG-PSN is safer.