At high concentration (50 μg/ml), diallyl trisulfide (DATS) had an inhibitory effect on T cell activation (compared with control group,P<0.05). But at appropriate concentrations (3.125–12. 5 μg/ml), DATS augmented the activation of T lymphocytes by Con A (compared with control group,P<0. 01). The augmentation of T cell activation by DATS was related to its inhibitory effect on the production of nitric oxide (NO) by macrophages. In a wide range of concentrations (1–100 μg/ml), DATS can inhibit the production of NO by macrophages (P<0.05,P<0.01). In addition, DATS can antagonize the inhibition of tumor-derived immunosuppressive factors produced by S180 cells and Ehrlich ascitic cancer cells on the activation of T cells, and reduce the inhibitory rate significantly (P < 0.01). DATS, despite its inhibition of the production of NO by macrophages, can significantly enhance the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by macrophages. When macrophages were pretreated with DATS for 24 h, the cytotoxicity % of macrophages to three tumor cell lines was significantly higher than that in corresponding control group (P<0.05,P<0.01). In the presence of both DATS and LPS, the cytotoxicity of macrophages was further enhanced so that the cytotoxicity % of macrophages to tumor cells was significantly higher than either that in the presence of DATS alone or that in the presence of LPS alone (P<0. 05,P<0. 01). These results indicate that DATS can augment the activation of T cells and enhance the anti-tumor function of macrophage, suggesting that DATS may be potentially useful in tumor therapy.
The mast cells (MC) and their roles in the development of liver fibrosis during experimental hepatocarcinogenesis in rats have been studied immunohistochemically and electron microscopically. Pronounced MC hyperplasia occurred after beginning of the treatment of DEN. The vast majority of mast cells in fibrotic livers was present in thickened fibrous septa. Intracellular or pericytial collagen type IV and laminin staining were found in mast cells, collagen types I, III and fibronectin were negative. Mast cells mainly distributed in proximity to basement membrane and the electron microscopical observation revealed a close topographic relationship between mast cells and fibroblasts. The fibroblasts phagocytized the granules released by mast cells and thus were activated, showing enhanced formation of collagenous fibrils. The mast cells may be derived from blood circulation or replicated in situ. Those findings indicated that mast cells take part in the process of fibrosis at least by two ways: (1) It directly synthesizes the basement membrane components; (2) It stimulates the fibroblasts or other types of cells which have the potential functions in fibrogenesis by releasing granule mediators or cytokines acting upon the fibrosis process.
By using Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent probe, Fura-2, the effects of endothelial cell-conditioned medium and hypoxia on intraceilular free calcium ([Ca2+]) in cultured pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) were studied. Normoxic porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cell-conditioned medium (NPAECCM) obviously elevated [Ca2+]i in PASMC, whereas the hypoxic porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cell conditioned medium (HPAECCM) significantly elevated [Ca2+]i in PASMC much more than NPAECCM. Both the effects of NPAECCM and HPAEC-CM were dependent on the cultured endothelial cell extracellular calcium concentrations, ranged from 1. 8 mmol/L to 2.4 mmol/L. Meanwhile, hypoxia directly increased, which was partially inhibited by verapamil, [Ca2+]i in PASMC through Ca2+ influx pathway.
The data suggest that the augmented regulation of endothelial cell on PASMC via Ca2+ second messenger system and the hypoxia-induced Ca2+ influx into PASMC, particularly the former, may be components of mechanisms underlying hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and chronic pulmonary hypertension.
DNA from 36 patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) at various clinical stages and 6 cases of acute leukemia was investigated for alterations of the p53 gene by Southern blot analysis. Rearrangements of the p53 gene were seen in 3 of 12 (25.00%) cases of blast crisis and accelerated phase (AP) of CML and in only one of 18 chronic phrase (CP), just as has been reported previously. Meanwhile, by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis the Bgl II site polymorphism in the p53 gene was also found. The frequency in Chinese people detected here was 0. 392, which was strikingly higher than that in some other countries (P< 0. 001). These results suggested that the alterations of the p53 gene, for example, p53 rearrangements, were probably responsible for the progression of BC in some CML patients, and that the frequency of Bgl II polymorphism in the p53 gene might be related to the population distribution.
T cell activation and proliferation via CD3-TCR complex were investigated by lymphocyte DNA synthesis in vitro. Several interfering factors were also discussed. The result indicated that lymphocyte activation and proliferation are calciumdependent. A rise of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ quickly following activation with CD3 McAb is mainly due to intracellular mobilization of Ca2+, while lymphocyte proliferation needs both intracellular mobilization of Ca2+ as well as influx of extracellular Ca2+. It was confirmed that CTX sensitive G protein plays a role in regulating T cell proliferation by pretreatment with CTX suppressing lymphocyte3H-TdR incorporation obviously. PLC and PKC inhibitor neomycin and P. S. S could also decrease T cell proliferation.
This study investigated the distribution and phenotype of mononuclear cells in endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) specimens from patients with viral myocarditis (VMC, 25 cases) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM, 10 cases). T lymphocytes, including Th/i cells in VMC and Tc/s cells in DCM, predominated in the infiltrating mononuclear cells in these specimens. The morphological relationship between infiltration of T lymphocytes and pathological changes of myocardia was also observed and neither macrophages nor B lymphocytes were found.
In a perfused isovolumetrically contracting rat heart model, the effects of isoprenaline (IPN) and phenylephrine (PE) on myocardial contraction and relaxation were investigated, and the influence of nifedipine on these effects was studied. Both IPN and PE increased the myocardial contraction and improved its relaxation, but some differences existed. Nifedipine (10 nmol/L) substantially inhibited the PE-mediated inotropic effect, but in case of IPN-niediated inotropic ones, it did not. It was assumed that there may be various types of slow channels, one was activated by IPN, and the other, by PE.
Hypothalamic-pituitary functions in 26 cases of Turner syndrome were assessed with a combined stimulation test. The results showed that the peak GH levels of 12 cases were less than 10 μg/L; 3 patients were demonstrated as having an even TSH response, while another one with a delayed TSH peak, and other 4 had high basal values and consistent exaggerated TSH responses to TRH; all patients showed increased basal and peak LH and FSH levels but 5, whose LH and FSH secretion patterns were similar to normal. 12 cases have been treated with individualized protocols and followed up for 12 months or more, of them the growth velocity all increased, especially those with hypothyroidism or with a BA less than 13. It is suggested that multiple functions of hypothalamic-pituitary axis in Turner patients be evaluated as early as possible, in order that proper treatment could be adopted and their growth and development improved.
Effects of Zaizhang-I (ZZ-I) on the recovery of hemopoietic systems from radiation injury were investigated. Mice, irradiated with 6. 0 Gy-rays, were injected i. p. once daily for 7 consecutive days with either ZZ-I or saline (0.01 ml/g body wt.). The experiments showed that ZZ-I significantly promoted the recovery of not only peripheral WBC. BMC, CFU-S and CFU-GM but also the abnormal femur micro-vessel system such as blood vessels and sinus ectasia, hyperemia and hemorrhage etc. These results suggest that ZZ-I could accelerate hemopoietic recovery from radiation injury in mice by stimulating hemopoietic stem cells and improving hemopoietic inductive microenvironment (HIM).
We investigated the responses of patients with malignant histiocytosis (MH) to the treatment of epotoside-based regimen. Of 11 evaluable cases, 9 (81.8%) achieved complete remission and 1 partial remission. 7 complete remission cases (77.7%) received only one therapeutic course. The side effects were mild and welltolerated. We conclude that etoposide-containing regimen is highly effective and can be used as first-line treatment for MH and is worthy of further study.
In this study 12 Japanese long ear rabbits were used as models of acute cholangitis of severe type (ACST), and also an increasing pressure apparatus of selfmade caecus to form high pressure of the biliary tract. The animals were observed for changes in blood dynamics in an attempt to explore the effect and relation of high pressure of biliary tract and infective element in pathogenesis of ACST. It was found that when the biliary pressure was increased within 120 min in the 20 kPa group, the blood endotoxin level showed no obvious increment (P> 0.05), but the decreased range of average MAP (mean artery pressure) was over 4 kPa, and the cardiac output also decreased evidently (P< 0.05), and that when the biliary pressure was decreased, MAP and cardiac output were restored to normal gradually. Of these animals 3 didn’t restore their normal condition when the blood pressure decreased to zero and died finally. Meanwhile the electric discharge frequency of the right greater splanchnic nerves increased (P< 0.05), but when pressure was reduced, the frequency slowed down. From the above findings, the authors came to the conclusion that the rapid increase of the biliary tract pressure is the important factor leading to a decrease in blood pressure of ACST, and even bringing about irreversible shock, which is involved in the activity of splanchnic nerves.
Pumpkin seeds were prepared into oil n-butyle alcohol and ether extracts. The effects of the three extracts on the urodynamics of rabbits were observed. It was concluded that the oil preparation could remarkably reduce the bladder pressure, increase the bladder compliance, reduce the urethral pressure. Other two kinds of preparations had no effect in this experimental. The mechanisms of the effect of oil preparation on the urodynamics and the prospect of clinical use was discussed.
Small masses of Walker 2 56 carcinosarcoma were implanted into the liver lobe of wistar rats. And at same time, a branch of the portal vein of the involved liver lobe was ligated. After 18 days, the growth of implanted tumor in ligation group was much slower than that in control group, namely, the diameter and wet weight of implanted tumor in ligation group were much smaller and lighter than those in control group. Furthermore, there were no ascites and lung metastases in ligation group. These results suggested that simple ligation of portal branch could apparently inhibit the growth and development of implanted tumor in the liver.
A correct estimation of the collagen content in cirrhosis liver tissue and analysis of its relation to the degree of liver function injury are important to the clinician in the establishment of the diagnosis in the liver diseases. The author has performed the morphometric measurement of collagen with liver tissue pathological section by using TJTY-300 image analysis system. It was found that the cirrhotic liver tissue’s collagen area and collagen average grey degree were notably higher than those in normal men (P< 0. 05), average optical density was markedly lower than that in normal men (P< 0. 05), integral optical density had no significant difference (P> 0. 05) between patients and normal controls, but the integral optical density in cirrohtic liver was 1. 21 times that of normal men. It suggests that the collagen content in cirrhotic liver tissue increased obviously, the average density of the increased collagen was lower than that in the normal liver tissue and the density of increased collagen was not homogeneous. Comparison between normal controls and patients with different Child-Pugh liver function grades in liver tissue collagen parameters revealed that the cirrhotic liver’s collagen content can, to different degree, directly reflect the function status of cirrhotic liver.
This article presents 6 cases of recurrent sacro-coccygeal tumor with analysis of the causes of recurrence, operational technique for second-time operation and concomitant treatment. It is suggested that combined abdominal and sacro-coccygeal approaches be used to excise maximal mass of the tumor, surrounding affected tissues be curetted out and the space be filled up with adriamycin-bone-cement to destroy remaining tumor cells and to strengthen the stability of pelvis. Besides, the patients should be subject to supersegregation radiotherapy in order to minimize the possibility of recurrence.
The antibodies against acetylcholine receptor AchR and levels of SOD and LPO were measured in 11 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), and the results were compared with normal controls and patients with diseases other than MG. The results showed that the antibodies against AchR were higher as compared with other groups before and after operation. The post-operative level of antibodies was obviously lower than the pre-operative value. An slight increase in SOD and significant decrease in mean value of LPO after surgery were noted. The possible mechanism was discussed.
The effects of 3, 4-DHAP on hypoxic vasoconstriction response in pulmonary (PA) and basilar arterial (BA) rings of rabbits and their mechanism were compared in vitro.
3,4-DHAP in different concentration (2. 64 × 10-4,7. 92 × 10-4,2. 376 × 10-3 mol/L) decreased the basal tone of PA rings by 32. 39 ± 9. 4 mg, 68. 96± 26. 54 mg and 145. 60 ± 58. 07 mg respectively, while the tension of the BA rings was decreased by 13. 80 ±5. 08 mg, 17.18 ± 3. 36 mg and 25. 00 ± 4. 02 mg respectively. In PA rings it also decreased the percentage increase in tension induced by hypoxia (TIH%) from the control value 48.82 ± 5.75% to 10.02 ± 3.62%, 2. 14 ± 0.96%, and 0. 00 % respectively, while in BA rings from 27. 27 ± 5.78% to 11. 23 ± 2.71%, 7.49 ± 1.62%, and 1.45 ± 1.13% respectively. The effects of 3, 4-DHAP on TIH% were partially blocked by indomethacin 10 M and L-NAME 10 M.
The results showed that 3, 4-DHAP can decrease the hypoxic pulmonary and basilar vasoconstriction in vitro, which can be partially inhibited by cyclooxygenase inhibitor and NO/EDRF inhibitor.