促红细胞生成素通过降低TSP-1和TGF-β表达对脊髓损伤保护作用的研究

Background Erythropoietin (EPO) functions as a tissue-protective cytokine in addition to its crucial hormonal role in red cell production and neuron protection. This study was designed to determine the erythropoietin neuron protection on experimental spinal cord trauma injury (SCI) rats by exploring the level of thrombospondin-1(TSP-1) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in the development of rats’ spinal cord injury (SCI) model. Methods Sixty Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were divided into three groups at random (the sham operation control group, SCI group and erythropoietin treatment group). Using a weight-drop contusion SCI model in SCI group and erythropoietin treatment group, then rats were sacrificed at 24 h and 7d. BBB scores were checked as locomotor function. Pathological changes were also explored by H-E staining. The expression of TSP-1 and TGF-β were determined by immunohistochemistry staining analysis and Western Blot analysis respectively. Results Slighter locomotor dysfunction and more quickly recovered as their higher BBB scores were found in erythropoietin treatment group than that in SCI group (P < 0.01). Pathological observation also showed progressive disruption of the dorsal white and few neurons regeneration in SCI rats. TSP-1 and TGF-β expression increased at 24 h and 7 d after SCI in the injured segment. We observed TSP-1 and TGF-β expression was higher in the SCI group than in erythropoietin treatment group. Samples of spinal cord from the animals demonstrated a TSP-1 optical density of 112.2 ± 6.8 and TSP-1 positive cells were 5.7 ± 1.3 respectively. After injury, TSP-1 optical density and cell number increased to 287.2 ± 14.3 and 23.2 ± 2.6/mm2 at 24 h, 232.1 ± 13.2 and 15.2 ± 2.3/mm2 at 7 d. As to EPO treatment rats, the TSP-1 optical density and cell number decreased to 213.1 ± 11.6 and 11.9 ± 1.6/mm2 at 24 h, 189.9 ± 10.5 and 9.3 ± 1.5/mm2 at 7 d while comparing to the SCI rats (P < 0.01). TGF-β immunohistochemistry staining we couldn’t found it in sham-operated group rats. In SCI rats, optical density and positive neuron number were 291.4 ± 15.2 and 28.8 ± 4.9/mm2 at 24 h, 259.1 ± 12.3 and 23.9 ± 4.1/mm2 at 7 d, and also decreased in EPO treatment rats with 222.8 ± 11.9 and 13.7 ± 2.1/mm2 at 24 h, 196.5 ± 9.7 and 8.7 ± 2.2/mm2 at 7 d (P < 0.01). Conclusion Elevating expression of TSP-1 and TGF-β can be found in the injured segment of the spinal cord at 24h and 7d after injury, erythropoietin treatment effectively prevents pathological alterations from severer spinal cord injury via reduction the expression of TSP-1 and TGF-β.     

Effects of Bone Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on TGF-β and MCP-1 in Injured Lung of Rats

The primary objective of the present study is to investigate the therapeutic effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） on bleomycin （BLM）-induced lung injury of rats and the effect on transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β） and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 （MCP-1）. MSCs were isolated from SD rats. The recipients rats were divided randomly into four groups： lung injury group, MSC treatment group, MSC control group and normal control group. Rats of lung injury group and MSC treatment group were perfused with BLM of 5mg/kg （0.2-0.3ml） intratracheally, others were perfused with normal saline. After twelve hours, rats of MSC treatment group and MSC control group were injected MSCs of 0.5×10^6per rat into tail vein. Haematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the morphology in lung tissue. ELISA was used to detect the contents of TGF-β and MCP-1 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF）. Collagen content of the lung tissue was assessed by hydroxyproline （HYP） concentration. It was found that the thickness of alveolar wall and lung interstitium were significantly reduced in the rats of MSC treatment group compared with the lung injury group. HYP content in lung interstitium, TGF-β and MCP-1 in serum and BALF were increased significantly in rats of lung injury group two weeks after BLM perfusion, but they were reduced significantly in the rats of MSC treatment group compared with the injured rats. These observations provide evidence that MSCs engraftment could alleviate bleomycin-induced lung injury and fibrosis in rats and the therapeutic effects might relate with the decrease of TGF-β and MCP-1.     

Effect of FK506 on Expression of Hepatocyte Growth Factor in Murine Spinal Cord Following Peripheral Nerve Injury

This study is to investigate the effect of FK506 on expression of hepatocyte growth factor （HGF） in rats＇ spinal cord following peripheral nerve injury and to elucidate the mechanisms for neuroprotective property of FK506. Fifty male rats were randomly divided into normal group, injury group and treatment group. Models of peripheral nerve injury were established by bilateral transection of sciatic nerve 0.5 cm distal to piriform muscle. Then the treatment group received subcutaneous injection of FK506 （1 mg/kg） at the back of neck, while the injury group was given 0.9% saline. The L4-6 spinal cords were harvested at various time points after the surgery. Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining were used to detect the level and position of HGF in spinal cord. Immunofluorescent staining showed that HGF-positive neurons were located in anterior horn, intermediate zone and posterior horn of gray matter in normal spinal cord. Western blotting revealed that there was no significant difference in the expressions of HGF between the injury group and the normal group, while the expression of HGF was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the injury group 7 and 14 days after surgery. It is suggested that peripheral nerve injury does not result in up-regulation of the expression of HGF in spinal cord, while FK506 may induce high expression of endogenous HGF after injury thereby protecting neurons and promoting axonal outgrowth.     

The effect of spinal cord injury on the expression of TGF-β and TNF-α in rat articular cartilage

Objective: To observe the expression of TGF-β and TNF-α in the spinal cord injured rat model and discuss the significance of the articular cartilage metabolism. Methods: 36 SD female rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: Rats models of spinal cord injury were implemented by Allen method. T10 laminectomy was performed in the control group. Both groups of rats were killed respectively in 1w, 3w and 6w. Hematoxylin-eosin stain was given to each slice in the model group and control group. Immunohistochemical stain was applied by using ABC method in the expression of TGF-β and TNF-α. Those expressed level were performed in image analysis and statistics process. Results: TGF-β and TNF-α were mainly distributed on the surface layer of the articular cartilage, with a weak expression in control group. The expression of TNF-α in the model group was more significant than that in the control group in the 1w, and still remained an evident difference with that in control group until the 6w(P ＜ 0.05). TGF-β expression of the model group had no remarkable difference with the control group in the lw (P ＞ 0.05) and prominently became stronger at 6w(P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion: The expression of TNF-o occurred early in the development of spinal cord injury, and the expression of TGF-β became stronger with the revival of spinal neural function. Both expressions were strengthened in articular cartilage in the 3rd week.     

Antioxidation of melatonin against spinal cord injury in rats

Background The iron catalyzed lipid peroxidation plays an important role in the autodestruction of the injured spinal cord. This study was to detect the antioxidation of melatonin against spinal cord injury(SCI) in rats.Methods Sity Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: group A (n=15) for laminectomyanly, group B (n=15) for laminectomy with SCI, group C (n = 15) for SCI and intraperitoneal injection of a bolus of 100 mg/kg melatonin, and group D (n = 15 ) for SCI and intraperitoneal injection of saline containing 5% ethanol. The SCI of animal model was made using modified Allen‘s method on T12. Six rats of each group were sacrificed 4 hours after injury, and the levels of free iron and malondialdehyde (MDA) of the involved spinal cord segments were measured by the bleomycin assay and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) separately. Functional recovery of the spinal cord was assessed by Modified Tarlov‘s scale and the inclined plane method at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 days after SCI. The histologic changes of the damaged spinal cord were also examined at 7 days after SCI.Results After SCI, the levels of free iron and MDA were increased significantly and the modified Tarlov‘s score and inclined plane angle decreased significantly in groups B and D. In group C, the Tarlov‘s score and inclined plane angle were increased significantly at 7, 14 and 21 days, with histological improvement.Conclusion: Melatonin can reduce the level of lipid peroxidation and prevent damage to the spinal cord of rat.     

Moxibustion Promotes Formation of Granulation in Wound Healing Process through Induction of Transforming Growth Factor-β in Rats

Objective: To examine the effect of moxibustion on the wound healing process and its mechanism using a rat wound model. Methods: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham-treated group(n=30, wound surgery only) and a moxibustion group(n=30, wound treated with moxibustion). Circular fullthickness skin wounds were produced in rats. Moxibustion was applied to the edge of wound and was continued on alternating days till 14 days after surgery, followed by measurement of wound size. Expression of collagens, prolyl-4-hydroxylase(P4 H) and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) were evaluated by histochemical study and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The size of the wound lesion was significantly reduced in rats treated with moxibustion as compared to that in sham-treated rats at 4–10 days after wounding(P0.01). Moxibustion stimulated mRNA expression of collagens at 4 days(P0.01), but not at 7 days, accompanied by enhanced proliferation of P4 H-positive fibroblasts. Of importance, expression of TGF-β in tissue from the wound lesion treated with moxibustion was significantly increased as compared to that in sham-treated rats at 4 days(P0.01 or P0.05), but not at 7 days. Conclusions: The treatment with moxibustion promoted the wound healing process in the early phase through proliferation of fibroblasts and rapid formation of granulation, possibly mediated by induction of TGF-β which is a key molecule in the physiological process of wound healing. Moxibustion can be expected to be effective as complementary treatment for intractable ulcers.     

Effect of Acupuncture on Free Radicals in Rats with Early Experimental Spinal Cord Injury

Effect of acupuncture on free radicals after spinal cord injury was observed in rats with experimentalspinal cord injury(SCI).Results indicated that within 24 hours after SCI malondialdehyde(MDA)increased progressively,2 hours after SCI it reached the peak;and the superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity decreased significantly at the same hours,the decrease being the most marked 2-6 hours afterSCI.The MDA content in the acupuncture group was significantly lower(P<0.05)and the SOD activityhigher(P<0.01)than that of the control group respectively.It is suggested that acupuncture inhibitsproduction of MDA and increases the SOD activity.     

Changes in the expression of platelet-derived growth factor in astrocytes in diabetic rats with spinal cord injury

Background Prospective mortality studies in the United States revealed that the mortality was elevated in diabetics compared to normal individuals following chronic spinal cord injury （SCI）. Our study was conducted to investigate the levels of platelet-derived growth factor （PDGF） of astrocytes in SCI in streptozotocin （STZ）-induced diabetic rats. Methods Thirty male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into 3 groups： SCI group, diabetic SCI group, and sham operation control group. We employed STZ-induced diabetic SD rats and a weight-drop contusion SCI model. The rats were sacrificed on day 7 after the induction of SCI. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analysis were used to detect the PDGF expression level. Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan locomotor rating scale （BBB） was also used to evaluate the neurological recovery level of the rats. Results PDGF positive astrocyte numbers were significantly higher and PDGF staining was more intensive in astrocytes in the SCI group than in the diabetic SCI group （P〈0.05）. The diabetic SCI group showed a slower recovery of motor function with a lower BBB score 7 days after acute spinal injury. Conclusions PDGF is an important factor for the recovery of neurological function after acute spinal injury and hyperglycemia in diabetic rats could depress the expression of PDGF in injured spinal cord. This may help to explain the slower recovery and higher mortality in diabetics after SCI.     

The effect of spinal cord injury on the expression of TGF-β and TNF-α in rat articular cartilage

Objective： To observe the expression of TGF-β and TNF-α in the spinal cord injured rat model and discuss the significance of the articular cartilage metabolism. Methods： 36 SD female rats were randomly divided into 2 groups： Rats models of spinal cord injury were implemented by Allen method. T10 laminectomy was performed in the control group. Both groups of rats were killed respectively in 1w, 3w and 6w. Hematoxylin-eosin stain was given to each slice in the model group and control group. Immunohistochemical stain was applied by using ABC method in the expression of TGF-β and TNF-α. Those expressed level were performed in image analysis and statistics process. Results： TGF-β and TNF-α were mainly distributed on the surface layer of the articular cartilage, with a weak expression in control group. The expression of TNF-α in the model group was more significant than that in the control group in the lw, and still remained an evident difference with that in control group until the 6w（P 〈 0.05）. TGF-β expression of the model group had no remarkable difference with the control group in the lw （P 〉 0.05） and prominently became stronger at 6w（P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： The expression of TNF-α occurred early in the development of spinal cord injury, and the expression of TGF-β became stronger with the revival of spinal neural function. Both expressions were strengthened in articular cartilage in the 3rd week.     

Influence of neurotrophin-3 on Bcl-2 and Bax expressions in spinal cord injury of rats

Objective： To study the protective mechanisms of neurotrophin-3 （NT-3） on the spinal cord injury. Methods：Totally 105 SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups： control group, experimental group and sham operation group. Rats from the former 2 groups were inflicted to animal model of acute spinal cord injury according to Allen＇s （WD） by situating a thin plastic tube in the subarachnoid space below the injury level for perfusion. Rats in experimental group received 20 ul NT-3 （200 ng） from the tube at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24 h and 3, 7 d after injury, and those in control group got an equal volume of normal saline at the same time. The animals in sham operation group only received opening vertebral plate and tube was put in subarachnoid space. The rats were sacrificed at 4, 8, 12, 24 h and 3, 7, 14 d post injury （n=5）. The expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in spinal cord of rats were detected by immunohistochemistry assay. Results： The level of Bax protein in control group significantly increased as compared with those in sham operation group, and the peak reached at 8 h after spinal cord injury. The Bcl-2 proteins were always weakly positive. The Bax proteins in NT-3 group significantly decreased but the Bcl-2 proteins obviously increased as compared with those in control group. Conclusion： NT-3 can protect spinal cord from injury in vivo. One of the mechanisms is that NT-3 can inhibit abnormal expression of Pax protein, and increase the expression of Bcl-2 protein, then inhibit apoptosis after spinal cord injury.     

Functional recovery following traumatic spinal cord injury mediated by a unique polymer scaffold seeded with neural stem cells and Schwann cells

Background The most important objective of transplant studies in the injured spinal cord has been to provide a favorable environment for axonal growth. Moreover, the continuing discovery of new grafts is providing new potentially interesting transplant candidates. Our purpose was to observe the morphological and functional repair effects of the co-transplantation of neural stem cell （NSC）, Schwann ceils （SCs） and poly lactide-co-glycolide acid （PLGA） on the spinal cord injury of rats.Methods A scaffold of PLGA was fabricated. NSCs and SCs were cultured, with the NSCs labeled with 5-bromodeoxyuridine, and the complex of NSC/PLGA or NSC＋SCs/PLGA were constructed. Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups： group A （transplantation of PLGA）, group B （transplantation of NSC/PLGA） and group C （transplantation of NSC＋SCs/PLGA）. The 3 mm length of the right hemicord was removed under the microscope in all rats. The PLGA or the complex of PLGA-celIs were implanted into the injury site. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan （BBB）locomotion scores, motor and somatosensory evoked potential of lower limbs were examined to learn the rehabilitation of sensory and motor function at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks after injury. All the recovered spinal cord injury （SCI） tissues were observed with HE staining, immunohistochemistry, and transelectronmicroscopy to identify the survival, migration and differentiation of the transplanted cells and the regeneration of neural fibres at 4 weeks, 8 weeks,12 weeks and 24 weeks after injury.Results （1） From 4 weeks to 24 weeks after injury, the BBB locomotion scores of cell-transplanted groups were better than those of the non-cell-transplanted group, especially group C （P 〈0.05）. The amplitudes of the somatosensory evoked potential （SEP） and motor-evoked potential （MEP） were improved after injury in groups B and C, but the amplitude of SEP and MEP at 4 weeks was lower than that at 12 weeks and 24 weeks after injury. Compared with group B, the amplitude of SEP and MEP in group C was improved. The amplitude of SEP and MEP was not improved after injury in group A. （2） HE staining revealed the volume of the scaffold decreased and the number of cells in the scaffold increased. Newly-grown capillaries also could be seen. Immunohistochemistry staining showed the transplanted NSCs could survive and migrate until 24 weeks and they could differentiate into neurons and oligodendrocytes. The regenerated axons were observed in the scaffold-cell complex with transelectronmicroscopy. The above manifestations were more extensive in group C.Conclusions The transplanted NSC can survive and migrate in the spinal cord of rats up to 24 weeks after injury, and they can differentiate into various neural cells. Co-transplantation of cells/PLGA can promote the functional recovery of the injured spinal cord. The effect of co-transplanting NSC＋SCs/PLGA is better than transplanting NSC/PLGA alone.     

Enhanced neuroprotection and improved motor function in traumatized rat spinal cords by rAAV2-mediated GDNF combined with early rehabilitation training

Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious neurological injury that often leads to permanent disabilities for the victims. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus type 2 (rAAV2) alone or in combination with early rehabilitation training on SCI.

Methods SCI was induced on the T8–9 segments of the spinal cord by laminectomy in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Then besides the sham operation group, the SCI rats were randomly divided into four groups: natural healing group, gene therapy group, rehabilitation training group, and combination therapy group (gene therapy in combination with rehabilitation training). Motor dysfunction, protein expression of GDNF, edema formation, and cell injury were examined 7, 14, and 21 days after trauma.

Results The topical application of rAAV-GDNF-GFP resulted in strong expression of GDNF, especially after the 14th day, and could protect the motor neuron cells. Early rehabilitative treatment resulted in significantly improved motor function, reduced edema formation, and protected the cells from injury, especially after the 7th and 14th days, and increased the GDNF expression in the damaged area, which was most evident after Day 14. The combined application of GDNF and early rehabilitative treatment after SCI resulted in a significant reduction in spinal cord pathology and motor dysfunction after the 7th and 14th days.

Conclusion These observations suggest that rAAV2 gene therapy in combination with rehabilitation therapy has potential clinical value for the treatment of SCI.

     

Effect of Coiquhoumia Root on the Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-β in Mesangiai Proliferation Giomerulonephritis Model

Summary： To study the efficacy and the mechanism of Colquhoumia root （ Tripterygium hypoglaucure （Le,vL） Hutch） in the treatment of mesangial proliferation glomerulonephritis （MsPGN）, SD rats were injected with anti-thymoeyte serum （ATS） to make MsPGN model （anti-Thyl model）. The rats were then divided into 3 groups： normal control group, anti-Thyl model group and treatment group. Histopathologieal （HE, PAS）, immunohistoehemieal, RT-PCR technique and computer imaging analysis system were used to evaluate mesangial matrix production, the expression of TGF-β protein and mRNA in the tissues of kidney. Our result showed that proteinuria and the ratio of extraeellular matrix/glomerular capillaries area （ECM/CA） were increased significantly in model group. The expression of both TGF-β protein and mRNA in glomeruli was much higher in model group than in control group （P〈0.01）. After the treatment with Colquhoumia root, proteinuria, ECM/CA and the expression of both TGF-β1 protein and mRNA in glomeruli were significantly decreased in treatment group as compared with those in model group. It is concluded that Colquhoumia root is effective in reducing proteinuria and mesangial matrix proliferation in MsPGN and it may achieve these effects by inhibiting the expressions of TGF-β1 protein and mRNA of mesangial cells.     

Hyperbaric oxygen intervention on expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor after spinal cord injury models in rats

【Abstract】Objective: To observe the change of expression of Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) after spinal cord injury at different time and to investigate the Neuroprotective mechanism of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods: 160 adult Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing between 250g and 300g,were randomly assigned to 4 experimental groups (n=40 per group). SCI group: SCI was created with special NYU impactor of Allen’s by a 25gram-centimeter (GCM) impacting energy on T10 of the spinal cord. SCI HBO group: hyperbaric oxygen therapy after spinal cord injury model was established. Sham operation（SH）group: only laminectomy of T10 and no impact on the spinal cord was done. SH HBO group: hyperbaric oxygen therapy after sham operation. The hindlimb functional recovery was evaluated using Basso Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) score and the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF were observed with fluorescent quantitation PCR and Western-Blot method of six rats picked randomly from each group at different times of 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after operation. Result: Rats in the SCI group and SCI HBO group were paralyzed completely after operation with BBB 0-1 score. Rats in the SH group and SH HBO group could walk after sham operation with BBB 20-21 score. The BBB scores of rats in SCI HBO group was higher than that in SCI group at 7d and 14d time point obviously (P＜0.05);The expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in SCI group and SCI HBO group was higher than in SH group and SH HBO group at any time point obviously (P＜0.05);while the SCI HBO group presented the least expression of HIF-1α at 3d,7d and 14d time points (P＜0.05) and more expression of VEGF at 7d and 14d (P＜0.05) than that of the SCI group with significant difference. Conclusion: The experimental research showed HBO could improve the hind limb functional recovery after SCI in rats;The higher expression of HIF-1α and VEGF could promote repair of damaged spinal cord after SCI;The elevation and duration of the expression of VEGF and the expression of HIF-1α by HBO intervention maybe inversely related in the repair of damaged spinal cord and neuroprotective effect.     

The role of angiopoietin-1 and thrombospondin-1 in the kidney of rats subject to 5/6 nephrectomy

The expression of angiopoietin- 1 （Ang- 1） and thrombospondin- 1 （TSP- 1） in 5/6 subtotal nephrectomy （STN） rats model, and its correlation to the renal microvasculature injury were investigated. Rat 5/6 STN model was established in adult male SD rats, and the sham-operated group and 5/6 STN group were set up. The renal function and histopathological changes were examined at the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th and 12th week after operation. The expression orAng-1, TSP-1 and CD31 in renal tissues was detected by using immunohistochemistry. From 2nd to 8th week after operation, Ang-1 was significantly expressed in glomeruli of rats with STN. Ang-1 staining in glomeruli of STN group was increased significantly as compared with that in sham-operated group at 4th and 8th week after operation, and subsequently decreased after the 12th week. The expression of TSP-1 was increased significantly in STN group. As compared with sham-operated group, the CD31 expression was significantly down-regulated from the 2nd week. The expression of Ang-1 mRNA was detected by using RT-PCR at the same time points. The expression of Ang-1 mRNA in renal tissue of rats with STN was significantly up-regulated at the 2nd, 4th and 8th week after operation as compared with that in STN group at other time points or in sham-operated group at the same time points, while decreased evidently at the 12th week as compared with that in sham-operated group. It is concluded that there are changes in the mRNA expression of Ang-1, and the significant up-regulation of the expression of TSP-1 in renal tissue of rats with STN, which may be involved in the remnant renal microvasculature injury.     

Expression of PirB in normal and injured spinal cord of rats

The expression of paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B (PirB) in normal and injured spinal cord of rats was investigated. The SD rat hemi-sectioned spinal cord injury (SCI) model was established. Before and 1, 3, 7, 10 days after SCI, the spinal cord tissues were harvested, and Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to examine the expression and location of PirB. The results showed that the expression level of PirB in the normal spinal cord of SD rats was low. At the first day after SCI, the expre...     

Effect of antimicrobial agents on the toll-like receptors and inflammatory cytokines in liver tissue of the alcohol-induced liver disease in rats with Vibrio vulnificus sepsis

Background Septicemia and inflammation-mediated septic shock caused by Vibrio vulnificus （VV） is strongly associated with chronic liver disease. This study examined the effects of antimicrobial therapy on expression of hepatic toll-like receptors and inflammatory cytokines in rats with alcohol-induced liver disease complicated by VV sepsis. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to the following treatment groups： normal control （N）, alcoholic liver disease control （A）, antimicrobial-treated alcoholic liver disease control （AA）, alcoholic liver disease with VV sepsis （AV）, and antimicrobial-treated alcoholic liver disease with VV sepsis （AVA）. Alcohol-induced liver disease was observed in all groups except N. Expression of mRNAs encoding hepatic toll-like receptors 2 and 4, myeloid differentiation protein-2, tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）, interleukin （IL）-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 was determined by RT-PCR. Results mRNAs encoding toll-like receptors 2 and 4 and myeloid differentiation protein-2 were significantly up-regulated in group AV as compared to control groups at 2-24 hours of sepsis; peak expression occurred at 12 hours. These mRNAs were also up-regulated in group AVA but to lesser degrees than in group AV at comparable time post-infection, mRNAs encoding TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly elevated in group AV as a function of infection. In group AVA as compared to AV, expression of TNF-α and IL-1β mRNAs was lower at 12-24 hours post-infection and expression of IL-6 mRNA was lower at 24 hours post-infection. Compared with control groups, IL-10 mRNA expression in group AV was markedly higher at 12-24 hours of sepsis. Expression of IL-10 mRNA was lower in group AVA as compared to AV at 24 hours of sepsis. Conclusions Antimicrobial therapy reduces expression of toll-like receptors and cytokines in rats with alcohol-induced liver disease complicated by VV sepsis. Monitoring hepatic toll-like receptor and cytokine expression during antibiotic therapy may be valuable for determining the course of VV sepsis in subjects with liver disease.     

Retraction: Prognostic analysis of transarterial chemoembolization combined with a traditional Chinese herbal medicine formula for treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

Background  The most important objective of transplant studies in the injured spinal cord has been to provide a favorable environment for axonal growth. Moreover, the continuing discovery of new grafts is providing new potentially interesting transplant candidates. Our purpose was to observe the morphological and functional repair effects of the co-transplantation of neural stem cell (NSC), Schwann cells (SCs) and poly lactide-co-glycolide acid (PLGA) on the spinal cord injury of rats.

Methods  A scaffold of PLGA was fabricated. NSCs and SCs were cultured, with the NSCs labeled with 5-bromodeoxyuridine, and the complex of NSC/PLGA or NSC+SCs/PLGA were constructed. Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: group A (transplantation of PLGA), group B (transplantation of NSC/PLGA) and group C (transplantation of NSC+SCs/PLGA). The 3 mm length of the right hemicord was removed under the microscope in all rats. The PLGA or the complex of PLGA-cells were implanted into the injury site. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) locomotion scores, motor and somatosensory evoked potential of lower limbs were examined to learn the rehabilitation of sensory and motor function at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks after injury. All the recovered spinal cord injury (SCI) tissues were observed with HE staining, immunohistochemistry, and transelectronmicroscopy to identify the survival, migration and differentiation of the transplanted cells and the regeneration of neural fibres at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks after injury.

Results  (1) From 4 weeks to 24 weeks after injury, the BBB locomotion scores of cell-transplanted groups were better than those of the non-cell-transplanted group, especially group C (P <0.05). The amplitudes of the somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) and motor-evoked potential (MEP) were improved after injury in groups B and C, but the amplitude of SEP and MEP at 4 weeks was lower than that at 12 weeks and 24 weeks after injury. Compared with group B, the amplitude of SEP and MEP in group C was improved. The amplitude of SEP and MEP was not improved after injury in group A. (2) HE staining revealed the volume of the scaffold decreased and the number of cells in the scaffold increased. Newly-grown capillaries also could be seen. Immunohistochemistry staining showed the transplanted NSCs could survive and migrate until 24 weeks and they could differentiate into neurons and oligodendrocytes. The regenerated axons were observed in the scaffold-cell complex with transelectronmicroscopy. The above manifestations were more extensive in group C.

Conclusions  The transplanted NSC can survive and migrate in the spinal cord of rats up to 24 weeks after injury, and they can differentiate into various neural cells. Co-transplantation of cells/PLGA can promote the functional recovery of the injured spinal cord. The effect of co-transplanting NSC+SCs/PLGA is better than transplanting NSC/PLGA alone.

     

Intrathecal co-administration of ketamine and morphine preventing activation of astrocytes and decreasing releases of IL-1β and IL-6 from spinal cord in rats of morphine tolerance

Objective： To investigate the effects of intrathecal administration of ketamine, a non-competitive N-methy-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, combined with morphine on the activation of astrocytes and releases of IL-1β and IL-6 from spinal cord in the rats of morphine tolerance. Methods： Twenty-seven Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into sham-operated, morphine tolerance, and morphine plus ketamine group. The subarachnoid catheterication of all the rats was prepared by the method of Jianping Yang. Morphine 20μg in 10μl was adminstrated intrathecally to induce spinal morphine tolerance once daily for 5 consecutive days. Morphine and ketamine 250μg in 10μl total volume was given in morphine plus ketamine group. Three groups all received intrathecal morphine 5μg in 10μl for morphine challenge test at 24h after last administration of the morphine. After morphine challenge test, lumbar spinal tissues were taken for measurement of glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP） of astrocyte in lumbar spinal horn cord by immunohistochemistry and IL-1β and IL-6 of spinal cord by ELISA. Results： The decrease of %MPE induced by chronic intrathecal morphine was inhibibed by ketamine and hyperalgesia and allodynia induced by morphine-withdrawl were alleviated. The average areas, the average absorbency （A^-）, the integral absorbency （A） of GFAP immuno-reactive cells in the dorsal horn, and IL-1β and IL-6 of spinal cord were significantly larger in morphine tolerance group than in morphine plus ketamine group. Conclusion：Co-administration of ketamine and morphine enhance antinociceptive effect of morphine and prevent the development of morphine tolerance. Ketamine might attenuate the activation of astrocytes and inhibit the release of IL-1β and IL-6 from spinal cord in repeated intrathecal morphine rats.