Repetitive and site-specific molecular staging of prostate cancer using nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for prostate specific antigen and prostate specific membrane antigen

We performed repetitive molecular staging using, nested rt-PCR for PSA and PSM at the peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) of patients with prostate cancer (Pr.Ca) and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) after transrectal ultrasonography-guided biopsy (TRUS-B; 6-9 biopsies/patient), Pr.Ca patients after radical prostatectomy (RP), and Pr.Ca patients with diffuse bony metastases. All BPH patients (N = 20) tested negative at BM. Of the 2 who tested positive at PB 2 weeks after TRUS-B tested negative 8 weeks after TRUS-B. Of the 17 Pr.Ca, 7 (41.2%) tested positive at PB for PSA and PSM 2 weeks after TRUS-B while only 4 (23.5%) of them tested positive at repetitive analysis 8 weeks after TRUS-B. Two (11.8%) of the 17 Pr.Ca patients had positive analysis at BM for PSA and PSM 2 and 8 weeks after TRUS-B. Of 12 Pr.Ca patients with negative pre-operative molecular staging, 7 (58.3%) tested positive at PB for PSA and PSM 2 months post-RP but only 3 (25%) of them re-tested positive 12 months post-RP. Of these 12 Pr.Ca, 4 (33.3%) tested positive at BM for PSA and PSM 2 months post-RP while none re-tested positive 12 months post-RP. All Pr.Ca (N = 20) with diffuse bony lesions tested positive at BM. At PB, 6 of them (30%) tested negative for both PSA and PSM. Our data suggest that nested rt-PCR for PSA and PSM at PB is affected by TRUS-B and RP, while such analysis at BM concerted diffuse bony disease.     

Developmental expression of orphan g protein-coupled receptor 50 in the mouse brain

Mental disorders have a complex etiology resulting from interactions between multiple genetic risk factors and stressful life events. Orphan G protein-coupled receptor 50 (GPR50) has been identified as a genetic risk factor for bipolar disorder and major depression in women, and there is additional genetic and functional evidence linking GPR50 to neurite outgrowth, lipid metabolism, and adaptive thermogenesis and torpor. However, in the absence of a ligand, a specific function has not been identified. Adult GPR50 expression has previously been reported in brain regions controlling the HPA axis, but its developmental expression is unknown. In this study, we performed extensive expression analysis of GPR50 and three protein interactors using rt-PCR and immunohistochemistry in the developing and adult mouse brain. Gpr50 is expressed at embryonic day 13 (E13), peaks at E18, and is predominantly expressed by neurons. Additionally we identified novel regions of Gpr50 expression, including brain stem nuclei involved in neurotransmitter signaling: the locus coeruleus, substantia nigra, and raphe nuclei, as well as nuclei involved in metabolic homeostasis. Gpr50 colocalizes with yeast-two-hybrid interactors Nogo-A, Abca2, and Cdh8 in the hypothalamus, amygdala, cortex, and selected brain stem nuclei at E18 and in the adult. With this study, we identify a link between GPR50 and neurotransmitter signaling and strengthen a likely role in stress response and energy homeostasis.     

甘草与甘遂的配伍对大鼠肠黏膜P-gp的影响

评价甘草与甘遂配伍对大鼠肠黏膜P糖蛋白 (P-glycoprotein) 的影响。通过对大鼠口服甘草煎液、甘遂煎液、甘草甘遂合煎液及其合并液1周后, 使用垂直型扩散池 (ussing chamber) 技术, 体外评价罗丹明123 (rhodamine123, R123) 和荧光素钠 (fluorescein sodium, CF) 经大鼠空肠黏膜的经时吸收方向和分泌方向的透过量和表观渗透系数。R123和CF在接受室的浓度用荧光分光光度计检测。应用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应技术 (real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction) 检测mdr1a基因在肠黏膜中的表达。在ussing chamber实验中, 4种药液除甘草外均具有增加R123经吸收方向 (mucosa to serosa, M-S) 透过性和减少分泌方向 (serosa to mucosa, S-M) 透过性的趋势。甘草只增加了R123吸收方向的透过, 但对分泌方向影响不大, 且均无统计学意义; 甘遂组与合煎组均使R123 S-M透过明显减少 (P < 0.01); 合并组明显增加了R123 M-S的透过 (P < 0.05)。各组的泵出比均明显降低 (P < 0.05)。而rt-pcr实验中, 评价甘遂对肠黏膜的P-gp活性的影响时, 发现大鼠灌胃7 d和14 d甘遂后, 与对照组相比都有下调mdr1a表达的趋势, 但是没有统计学意义。另外, 在评价甘草与甘遂对旁细胞转运CF影响的实验中, 甘遂组、合煎组和合并组均明显减少了CF S-M的透过 (P < 0.01); 甘遂组、合煎组和合并组则均明显减少了CF M-S的透过 (P < 0.05), 但甘草对CF转运的影响没有统计学意义。甘遂可能是一种P-gp抑制剂, 而甘草与甘遂合用后对R123透过的影响与单用甘遂相似, 可能是甘草与甘遂有协同作用, 使其毒性成分吸收增加, 这可能是两者配伍产生毒性的机制之一。