This study examined the expression and distribution of angiopoietin-1/-2 (Ang-1/-2) in the endometrium of early pregnant mice. The expression of Ang-1/-2 was detected by immunohisto-chemical staining and in situ hybridization respectively. Computerized image analysis system was used to measure the average optical intensity of Ang-1/-2 in endometria at different time points after gestation. Mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group, D2 group (2 days after pregnancy), D4 group (4 days after pregnancy), D6 group (6 days after pregnancy) and D8 group (8 days after pregnancy), each containing 15 mice. The results showed that the expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 was very different among 4 groups (P<0.01). Immunohistochemical staining revealed that Ang-1 was localized in the cytoplasma of stromal cells 2 days after pregnancy (day 2), and in luminal epithelial cells on day 4. The protein of Ang-2 was mainly expressed in the cytoplasma of glandular epithelia and stromal cells. With gestation time, the positive reactions of Ang-1/-2 were stronger in the endometria of the pregnant mice (P<0.01). In situ hybridization showed Ang-1 mRNA in stromal cells on day 2. Hybridization signal was localized in both stromal cells and vessel epithelial cells on day 4; Ang-2 mRNA was expressed in stromal cells and glandular epithelia on day 2; high mRNA levels appeared in stromal cells, glandular epithelia and vascular endothelia on day 4; an increasing in mRNA expression of Ang-1/-2 was observed on day 6 and day 8 (P<0.01). It is suggested that Ang-1/-2 may play an important role in the cross-talk between blastocyst and maternal endometrium during the process of embryo implantation.

In order to establish a simple and useful way for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of chromosomal diseases in general IVF laboratory, the methods that are most commonly used in the embryo biopsy, fixation of blastomere and fluorescence in situ hybridization were compared. The three aspects of PGD were analyzed respectively. There was no significant difference in further development capacity of embryos between mechanical (79.7%) and chemical biopsy group (78.6%) (P>0.05). In this study, more cells were successfully fixed with the Tween/HCL method (93.8%) than with the methanol/acetic acid method (80.5%, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in cytoplasm remains between methanol/acetic acid method and Tween/HCL method (P>0.05). The hybridization efficiency of fluorescence in situ hybridization was 89.5% in successive denaturation method and 90.9% in codenaturation method with the difference being not significant (P>0.05). In conclusion, the mechanical or chemical method, Tween/HCL fixation method and codenaturation fluorescence in situ hybridization method can constitute a simple and useful way for PGD of chromosomal diseases.

To investigate the effects of metallothionein (MT) on isolated rat heart, 16 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups. In control group (group C), distilled water was injected intraperitoneally and 24 h later isolated hearts were perfused with Langendorff and stored at 4°C for 3 h with histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solutions, and then isolated hearts were perfused for 2 h by Langendorff. In experimental group (group E), 3.6% ZnSO₄ was injected intraperitoneally, 24 h later isolated hearts were perfused by Langendorff and stored at 4°C for 3 h with HTK solutions, and then the isolated hearts were perfused for 2 h with Langendorff. MT content, the recovery of hemodynamics, myocardial water content (MWC), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) leakage, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, myocardial cell Ca²⁺ content, Ca²⁺-ATPase activity of mitochondria ([Ca²⁺-ATPase]_m) and its Ca²⁺ content ([Ca²⁺]_m), synthesizing ATP activity of mitochondria ([ATP]_m), and the ultrastructure of cells were examined. There were a significant increase in group E in hemodynamic recovery, ATP content, SOD activity, [Ca²⁺-ATPase]_m activity, [ATP]_m activity, and substantial reduction in MWC, LDH and CK leakage, MDA content, myocardial cell Ca²⁺ content, [Ca²⁺]_m content, and the ultrastructural injury were obviously milder than that of group C. This study demonstrated that MT has protective effects on isolated rat heart.

The expression levels and changes of endogenous acid fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) in microwave burn wound tissues were detected in order to investigate how to get better therapeutic effects by using the exogenous aFGF for repairing trauma. A burnt-wound animal model was established by NS-F multifunction spectrum therapeutics equipment, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry assay were applied to detect the expression levels of endogenous aFGF mRNA in microwave burn wound tissues. The expression level of endogenous aFGF mRNA was significantly increased in the burn wound tissues 12 h after burn, reached the peak at 48 h, and gradually deceased 96 h after burn. The expression of endogenous aFGF mRNA after tissue damage was reversible, and its intensity was in accordance with the repair process of tissue damage, suggesting endogenous aFGF may take part in the cell metabolism and proliferation, and then promote the repair of the burn wound.

The reversing effect of wild-type PTEN gene on resistance of C13K cells to cisplatin and its inhibitory effect on the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT) were studied. The expression of PTEN mRNA and protein in OV2008 cells and C13K cells were semi-quantitatively detected by using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid containing human wild-type PTEN gene was transfected into C13K cells by lipofectamine2000. The expression of PTEN mRNA was monitored by RT-PCR and the expression of PTEN, Akt, p-Akt protein were analyzed by Western blotting in PTEN-transfected and non-transfected C13K cells. Proliferation and chemosensitivity of cells to DDP were measured by MTT, and cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry after treatment with cisplatin. The expression of PTEN mRNA and protein in OV2008 cells were significantly higher than those in C13K cells. After transfection with PTEN gene for 48 h, the expression of PTEN mRNA and protein in C13K cells were 2.04 ± 0.10, 0.94 ± 0.04 respectively and the expression of p-Akt protein (0.94 ± 0.07) was lower than those in control groups (1.68 ± 0.14, 1.66 ± 0.10) (P < 0.05). The IC₅₀ of DDP to C13K cells transfected with PTEN (7.2 ± 0.3 μmol/L) was obviously lower than those of empty-vector transfected cells and non-transfected cells (12.7 ± 0.4 μmol/l, 13.0 ± 0.3 μmol/L) (P<0.05). The apopototis ratio of wild-type PTEN-transfected, empty vector transfected and non-transfected C13K cells were (41.65 ± 0.87)%, (18.61 ± 0.70)% and (15.28 ± 0.80)% respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). PTEN gene plays an important role in ovarian cancer multidrug resistance. Transfection of PTEN could increase the expression of PTEN and restore drug sensitivity to cisplatin in human ovarian cancer cell line C13K with multidrug-resistance by decreasing the expression of p-Akt.