基质金属蛋白酶在心房颤动犬心房结构重构中的作用

目的 探讨基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）和组织型基质金属蛋白酶抑制因子-1（TIMP-1）在快速起搏心房颤动（房颤）动物模型心房结构重构中的作用和Ca^2＋超载对MMP-9激活的影响。方法 14只犬随机分为房颤组（n=8）和对照组（n=6），右心房快速起搏（350～450次／min）8周建立房颤动物模型。取左心房组织，采用半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）和免疫组织化学法检测MMP-9和TIMP-1 mRNA和蛋白质表达，采用Masson染色测定心房肌组织胶原含量，采用超声心动图测量左心房内径，同时还测定心房肌组织Ca^2＋浓度。结果 与对照组比较，房颤组心房肌胶原含量、Ca^2＋浓度和左心房内径增加（P〈0．05）；房颤组左心房心肌组织MMP-9 mRNA表达升高45％（P〈0．01），蛋白质水平表达增加19．5％（P〈0．001）；TIMP-1 mRNA表达增加46．67％（P〈0．01），TIMP-1蛋白质水平表达下调8．33％（P〈0．01）；MMP-9 mRNA表达与左心房内径、Ca^2＋浓度和心肌胶原含量正相关（P〈0．05）；TIMP-1 mRNA表达与左心房内径、心肌胶原含量和MMP-9 mRNA表达正相关（P〈0．05）。结论 MMP-9／TIMP-1平衡失调可能是慢性房颤心房肌细胞外基质重构和心房扩大的重要分子机制，细胞内Ca^2＋超载可能是MMPs的重要激活途径。     

心房肌基质金属蛋白酶-2和组织金属蛋白酶抑制因子-2的表达改变对风湿性心脏病二尖瓣狭窄合并房颤患者心房结构重构机制的研究

目的探讨基质金属蛋白酶-2（MMP-2）和组织金属蛋白酶抑制因子-2（TIMP-2）的基因表达水平变化与风湿性心脏病二尖瓣狭窄合并房颤患者心房结构重构的相关关系。方法选取进行二尖瓣置换术的风湿性心脏病二尖瓣狭窄合并房颤患者42例为房颤组；风湿性心瓣膜病窦性心律18例为对照组。上述患者术前均行经胸超声心动图检查及留取相关临床资料。于手术时取左心耳心肌标本，采用Masson三色染色法检测心房肌组织纤维化程度；RT—PCR方法检测心房肌组织MMP-2和TIMP-2的mRNA水平。结果（1）房颤组患者心房肌组织纤维化比例较对照组显著升高（P〈0．01），心肌组织纤维化程度与左房内径（r=0．788，P〈0．001）呈显著正相关，与二尖瓣口面积（r=-0．886，P〈0．05）呈负相关；（2）与对照组比较，房颤组患者心房肌组织MMP-2mRNA表达量增高（P〈0．05）；TIMP-2mRNA表达量降低（P〈0．05）。（3）MMP-2和TIMP-2mRNA表达水平之间呈显著负相关（rp=-0．766，P〈0．001）。MMP-2mRNA表达水平与左心耳心肌组织纤维化程度（rp=0．919，P〈0．001）呈显著正相关；TIMP-2mRNA表达水平与左心耳心肌组织纤维化程度（rp=-0．883，P〈0．001）呈显著负相关。结论心房组织MMP-2和TIMP-2的基因表达改变，尤其是MMP-2／TIMP-2表达的失衡，是风湿性心脏病二尖瓣狭窄时心房扩大及房颤发生与维持的重要机制之一。     

四氯化碳诱导肝组织胶原和TIMP-1mRNA的表达及干预研究

40％四氯化碳制备大鼠肝纤维化模型,并应用不同剂量中药小柴胡汤进行干预;通过免疫组化方法检测肝组织中胶原Ⅰ型及纤维连接蛋白,运用定量逆转录聚合酶链反应法（RT—PCR）检测肝脏内金属蛋白酶1组织抑制因子（TIMP-1）mRNA的表达。结果肝纤维化发生时,肝脏胶原含量显著增加,TIMP-1mRNA显著增高（P〈0．01）;小柴胡汤治疗组肝脏胶原含量及TIMP-1mRNA显著降低（P〈0．01）;同期不同剂量小柴胡汤治疗组之间肝脏胶原含量及TIMP-1mRNA无明显差异。认为肝纤维化发生时,胶原Ⅰ型及纤维连接蛋白含量显著增高,TIMP-1mRNA的表达亦显著增高。小柴胡汤能减轻大鼠肝纤维化的程度,在肝纤维化早期可下调TIMP-1mRNA的表达。     

晚期血吸虫病肝纤维化指标与肝组织病理学的相关性研究、

目的探讨转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）、基质金属蛋白酶-1（MMP-1）及其组织抑制因子-1（TIMP-1）在晚期血吸虫病（晚斑）肝组织和血清中的表达及其与肝组织病理学的关系。方法采用免疫组化sP法检测45例晚血（观察组）肝组织中TGF-β1、MMP-1、TIMP-1表达;采用EIASA法检测观察组和30例健康人（对照组）血清TIMP-1、TGF-β1、MMP-1水平。结果观察组肝组织中TGF-β1、TIMP-1表达强度与肝纤维化程度、有无合并HBV感染呈正相关（P均〈0．05）;而MMP-1无相关性。与对照组比较,观察组血清TGF-β1、TIMP-1水平及TIMP-1／MMP-1值明显增高（P均〈0．01）,并与肝纤维化程度、免疫组化表达强度呈正相关（P均〈0．01）,而血清MMP-1差异无统计学意义。结论TGF-β1、MMP-1、TIMP-1与晚血肝纤维化的发生、发展密切相关,三者联合检测可作为晚血患者肝纤维化诊断和疗效评估指标。     

软肝冲剂对肝纤维化大鼠组织金属蛋白酶抑制剂的影响

目的：探讨软肝冲剂治疗肝纤维化和肝硬化的机制是否与抑制TIMP-1的表达有关。方法：用CCl4诱导大鼠的肝纤维化模型（病理分期为0-Ⅴ期），将大鼠随机分成两组，分别用软肝冲剂和生理盐水治疗2个月后。对肝组织TIMP-1mRNA的表达进行分析，并检测羟脯氨酸（Hyp）的量，同时检测血清中TIMP-1和TGF-β1的浓度。结果：软肝冲剂能够降低大鼠肝组织中TIMP-1mRNA的表达和胶原蛋白的含量，同时血清中TIMP-1和TGF-β1较CCl4诱导的模型组和生理盐水治疗组显著降低（P〈0．05）。结论：软肝冲剂治疗肝纤维化可能通过阻止TIMP-1的表达起作用。     

姜黄素对早期血吸虫病小鼠肝功能的影响

目的动态观察姜黄素（curcumin，CUR）对早期血吸虫病小鼠肝功能的保护作用。方法将64只小鼠随机分为4组，每组16只，分别为健康对照组、感染对照组、溶剂组和CUR组。除健康对照组外各组小鼠经腹部皮肤感染日本血吸虫尾蚴约25条。CUR组感染后即开始给予CUR200mg／kg体重灌胃治疗，2次／d，至第8周末；健康对照组和感染对照组给予同剂量的蒸馏水灌胃，溶剂组给予同剂量的4％羧甲基纤维素钠（sodium carboxymethycellulose，CMC）溶液灌胃。于第6、8周末每组各取8只小鼠，处死，取血清和肝脏，以HE染色观察各组小鼠肝组织病变，通过测定小鼠血清以及肝匀浆中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-px）、丙二醛（MDA）水平的变化，观察CUR对血吸虫病小鼠治疗的效果。结果感染血吸虫后，CUR组与感染对照组比较小鼠肝组织损伤程度明显减轻，第6周末血清SOD含量显著升高（P〈0．01），GSH-px含量无显著变化（P〉0．05），MDA含量显著降低（P〈0．05），肝匀浆SOD、GSH-px含量显著升高（P〈0．05），MDA含量显著降低（P〈0．05）；第8周末小鼠血清和肝匀浆SOD、GSH—px水平均显著升高（P〈0．05或P〈0．01），MDA水平均显著降低（P〈0．05）。CUR组第8周末小鼠血清和肝匀浆SOD、GSH-px及MDA含量与第6周末相比差异无统计学意义。结论姜黄素有减轻血吸虫病急性期肝损伤的作用。     

MMP-9及TIMP-1在支气管哮喘发病中作用及雷公藤多甙干预研究

目的观察支气管哮喘（简称哮喘）大鼠肺组织中细胞外基质（ECM）代谢相关因子基质金属蛋白酶9（MMP-9）及其抑制剂组织金属蛋白酶抑制剂1（TIMP-1）的表达,研究雷公藤多甙在哮喘肺组织ECM重塑中可能的作用及其机制。方法建立大鼠哮喘模型,采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应技术（RT-PCR）测定肺组织中MMP-9、TIMP-1mRNA的表达。结果哮喘组MMP-9、TIMP-1在肺组织中的蛋白表达明显高于对照组（P〈0．01）,应用药物雷公藤多甙干预后,MMP-9、TIMP-1蛋白表达明显低于哮喘组（P〈0．05）。哮喘组MMP-9、TIMP-1在肺组织的mRNA表达也高于对照组（P〈0．01）,应用雷公藤多甙药物干预后,MMP-9、TIMP．1在肺组织的mRNA表达明显低于哮喘组（P〈0．01）。哮喘组肺组织中MMP-9／TIMP-1〉1,明显高于对照组（P〈0．05）,应用药物雷公藤多甙干预后,MMP-9／TIMP．1〈1,明显低于对照组（P〈0．05）和哮喘组（P〈0．01）。结论雷公藤多甙可能下调MMP-9的表达,调节MMP-9／TIMP-1的平衡,干预细胞外基质重塑。     

MMP-1、TIMP-1与实验性肝纤维化形成过程中基质转换的关系及抗纤软肝颗粒的干预作用

目的：动态观察肝纤维化形成过程中肝组织MMP-1、TIMP-1 mRNA及Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原的表达，以探讨MMP-1、TIMP-1与基质转换的关系，以及抗纤软肝颗粒对它们的影响。方法：将大鼠随机分为正常对照组、CCl4模型组与治疗组。采用250ml／L CCl4在大鼠皮下注射制备肝纤维化模型，并同时给与抗纤软肝颗粒治疗，各组分别于第3、5、7、9、11周分批处死大鼠，取肝脏标本。采用免疫组织化学法检测肝组织Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原，原位杂交的方法检测MMP-1 mRNA、TIMP-1 mRNA。结果：在肝纤维化形成过程中：①胶原持续增高，治疗组较同期模型组比较有不同程度的降低。②MMP-1 mRNA的表达先逐渐增强，后期有所下降；治疗组较同期模型组比较有不同程度的增强。③TIMP-1 mRNA的表达持续增强，治疗组较同期模型组比较有不同程度的减弱。TIMP-1 mRNA与Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原的表达呈显著正相关（P〈0．01）。结论：在肝纤维化过程中TIMP-1通过对MMP-1活性的抑制，导致ECM在肝脏内的过度沉积；抗纤软肝颗粒能促进MMP-1的表达，抑制TIMP-1的表达。促进肢原降解而产生抗肝纤维化作用。     

替米沙坦对非酒精性脂肪性肝炎大鼠肝纤维化基质金属蛋白酶-13及其抑制因子-1的表达和胰岛素抵抗的影响

目的观察替米沙坦对非酒精性脂肪性肝炎（NASH）大鼠肝纤维化的疗效和对基质金属蛋白酶-13（MMP-13）及其抑制因子-1（TIMP-1）的表达和胰岛素抵抗的影响。方法30只雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组和替米沙坦干预组。模型组和干预组给予高脂饲料喂养16周诱发脂肪性肝炎,其中干预组于高脂喂养12周后,给予替米沙坦[5mg／（kg·d）】灌胃治疗4周。16周末处死所有动物。检测血清丙氨酸转氨酶（ALT）、天冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）及空腹胰岛素（FINS）、空腹血糖（FPG）,并计算胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA—IR）,RT—PCR和Westernblot法检测肝组织TIMP-1、MMP-13mRNA和蛋白的表达水平。病理切片观察组织学改变,免疫组织化学法检测a-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-SMA）的表达情况。结果模型组血清ALT,AST,FPG,FINS及HOMA—IR较正常组均显著升高（均P〈0．01）。与模型组相比,干预组血清ALT,FPG,FINS及HOMA—IR均明显下降,差异具有统计学意义（均P〈0．01）。AST与干预组相比存在下降趋势,但差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。与模型组相比,替米沙坦可显著改善肝脏炎症活动度及肝纤维化程度（均P〈0．01）。干预组HOMA-IR较模型组明显降低【（3．59±0．29）VS（6．23±0．19）,P〈0．01]。干预组肝组织α—SMA的表达明显减少,肝组织MMP．13mRNA和蛋白的表达均增加,TIMP-1mRNA和蛋白的表达均降低（均P〈0．01）。结论替米沙坦对NASH大鼠具有改善胰岛素抵抗和抗肝纤维化的作用。     

慢性间断性缺氧对小鼠肾组织结构、基质金属蛋白酶及其组织抑制因子表达的影响

目的 观察慢性间断性缺氧（chronic intermittent hypoxia，CIH）对小鼠肾脏结构，基质金属蛋白酶-1、9（matrixmetallo-proteinase-1、9，MMP-1、9）及其组织抑制因子-1（tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1，TIMP-1）表达变化的影响，探讨其在睡眠呼吸暂停综合征（sAs）肾损害中的作用。方法 将30只ICR小鼠随机分为4组，空气模拟对照组（10只）、CIH2周组（5只）、CIH4周组（5只）、CIH8周组（10只）。采用光镜下病理检查和免疫组织化学方法观察实验小鼠肾组织结构变化和MMP-1、MMP-9及TIMP-1在肾脏的表达。结果 ①CIH各组见肾小管上皮细胞肿胀、空泡、颗粒变性，随缺氧时间延长，变性范围扩大，主要表现为近曲小管的病理改变，其中8周组可见部分肾小管坏死。②MMP-1、MMP-9及TIMP-1主要表达于肾小管上皮细胞。③与对照组比较，CIH各组MMP-1表达均明显减少（P均d0．01），2周时降至最低，随后MMP-1表达略有回升；CIH组间两两比较差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。MMP-9在2周组的表达水平与对照组相比均显著升高（P〈0．01），而在4、8周两组则显著降低（P均d0．01）。CIH各组TIMP-1均呈高表达（P均〈0．01），其中高峰表达在2周缺氧组。CIH各组MMP-1／TIMP-1均显著降低（P均〈0．05），其中2周组达最低（P〈0．01），CIH各组间两两比较差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。MMP-9／TIMP-1随间断缺氧时间的延长呈下降趋势，CIH4周、8周两组均低于对照组（P〈0．05），最低表达在8周组（P〈0．01）。④随间断缺氧时间延长，TIMP-1与MMP-1之间存在负相关关系（r=-0．769，Pd0．01）；TIMP-1与MMP-9之间存在正相关关系（r=0．392，PdO．05）。结论 CIH可引起实验小鼠肾小管变性、坏死等病理变化；同时肾小管上皮细胞MMP-1、MMP-9、TIMP-1表达异常；MMP-1／TIMP-1与MMP-9／TIMP-1下降，这可能参与了SAS肾损害的发生发展过程。     

The immunoneuroendocrine role of melatonin

Abstract: A tight, physiological link between the pineal gland and the immune system is emerging from a series of experimental studies. This link might reflect the evolutionary connection between self-recognition and reproduction. Pinealectomy or other experimental methods which inhibit melatonin synthesis and secretion induce a state of immunodepression which is counteracted by melatonin. In general, melatonin seems to have an immunoenhancing effect that is particularly apparent in immunodepressive states. The negative effect of acute stress or immunosuppressive pharmacological treatments on various immune parameters are counteracted by melatonin. It seems important to note that one of the main targets of melatonin is the thymus, i.e., the central organ of the immune system. The clinical use of melatonin as an immunotherapeutic agent seems promising in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies as well as in cancer immunotherapy. The immunoenhancing action of melatonin seems to be mediated by T-helper cell-derived opioid peptides as well as by lymphokines and, perhaps, by pituitary hormones. Melatonin-induced-immuno-opioids (MHO) and lymphokines imply the presence of specific binding sites or melatonin receptors on cells of the immune system. On the other hand, lymphokines such as -γ-interferon and interleukin-2 as well as thymic hormones can modulate the synthesis of melatonin in the pineal gland. The pineal gland might thus be viewed as the crux of a sophisticated immunoneuroendocrine network which functions as an unconscious, diffuse sensory organ.     

Changes in connexin43, the gap junction protein of astrocytes, during development of the rat pineal gland

Abstract: The abundance of gap junctions between rat pineal astrocytes formed by connexin43 (Cx43) was studied during development. Levels and distribution of Cx43 were measured by immunoblotting and indirect immunofluorescence, respectively. The amount of Cx43 in cells located within the gland was low until about the 7th postnatal day and increased to adult values between the 14th and 21st days postpartum. Although astrocytes, recognized by their vimentin immunoreactivity, were scarce before birth, they were abundant by the 7th postnatal day suggesting that the low levels of Cx43 found at this age corresponded to a low expression of this protein. Localization of the immunoreactivity to Cx43 and vimentin showed a close correlation, indicating that mature or immature pineal astrocytes form gap junctions made of Cx43. Since Cx43 levels attained their adult values at about the time the innervation and the functional state of the gland reached maturity (2–3 weeks after birth), it is proposed that astrocyte gap junctions are involved in the function of the adult rat pineal gland.     

Conservative management of perforated duodenal diverticulum： A case report and review of the literature

Duodenal diverticula are a relatively common condition. They are asymptomatic, unless they become complicated, with perforation being the rarest but most severe complication. Surgical treatment is the most frequently performed approach. We report the case of a patient with a perforated duodenal diverticulum, which was diagnosed early and treated conservatively with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of secondary retroperitoneal abscesses. We suggest this method could be an acceptable option for the management of similar cases, provided that the patient is in good general condition and without septic signs.     

Response of rat pineal melatonin to calcium, magnesium, and lithium is circadian stage dependent

Abstract: Herein we documented the response of pineal melatonin production to electrolytes known to be effective on pineal function in view of a possible circadian stage dependence. We studied the release of melatonin by perifused rat pineal glands at 2 different circadian stages corresponding to the middle of the light and dark periods, i.e., respectively, 7 and 19 HALO (Hours After Light Onset, L:D = 12:12). The initial efflux rates were, as expected, much higher in the perifusates of glands removed from rats sacrificed during the dark phase than of those removed during the light phase. After 3 hr of perifusion, melatonin release reached similar levels which were found constant up to the 8th hr of perifusion, whatever the circadian stage. Perifusion of the glands with physiological concentrations for the rat of calcium (5.2 mmol/1) and magnesium (1.34 mmol/1) resulted in a stimulatory effect on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed in the middle of the dark period (19 HALO), whereas no effects were observed on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed during the light (7 HALO). Lithium (0.28 and 0.55 mmol/1) was ineffective on melatonin release in pineal glands removed 7 and 19 HALO. Our results show differences in the initial efflux rates of melatonin and in the response of perifused pineal glands to calcium and magnesium according to the circadian stage.     

Presence of immunoreactive growth hormone and prolactin in the ovine pineal gland

Abstract: The use of antisera raised against bovine growth hormone (GH) and ovine prolactin (PRL) enabled the detection of related immunoreactive (ir) sequences of proteins in ovine pineal tissue. The isolation of PRL-like ir-material was accomplished using a 0.25 M ammonium sulphate (pH 5.5) extraction followed by ethanol precipitation, whereas the resulting 2.0 M ammonium sulphate (pH 7.0) precipitate contained a GH-like immunoreactivity. Gel chromatography of the GH-like immunoreactivity (Sephadex G-100) indicated the presence of several GH-like fragments ranging in the M_r range of 7,000 to 55,000. Analyses of the PRL-like ir-material found in pineal tissue on HPLC using a TSK 545-DEAE column led to the resolution into a single peak of immunoreactivity. A single peak of activity was also observed following chromatofocusing and hydrophobic interaction chromatography of the ir-peak from the TSK 545-DEAE column. The PRL-like ir-material inhibited the binding of [¹²⁵I]ovine PRL-S14 to anti-ovine PRL antibodies without showing an affinity for binding to anti-rat PRL or anti-bovine GH antibodies. Scatchard analysis of the binding of pineal PRL-like ir-material and pituitary ovine PRL-S14 to liver membranes from day-20 pregnant rats revealed similar affinity constants (K_a of 4.7 ± 0.2 × 10⁹ M^-1). In addition, the replication of Nb 2 Node rat lymphoma cells was stimulated by pineal PRL-like ir-material, an effect known to be specific for lactogenic hormones. The pineal PRL-like immunoreactivity appeared on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels as a single major band of M_r 24,000. The functional status of PRL-and GH-like ir-material in the ovine pineal remains to be determined, but evidence is presented that the overall protein synthesis rate of the rat pineal responded to circulating concentrations of PRL.     

Microbiology of human immunodeficiency virus anorectal disease

PURPOSE: Individuals who are seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus are at high risk for opportunistic infection and anorectal disorders. Little prospective information is available regarding anorectal pathogens in these patients. METHODS: One hundred sixty-three HIV-seropositive patients presented to the colorectal clinic between 1989 and 1992. Forty-seven (29 percent) patients were thought to have an infectious process and were prospectively studied using a standardized multiculture protocol. RESULTS: Mean age was 33 (range, 19–59) years. All were male; high-risk behavior accounted for 87 percent of HIV transmissions. Presenting complaints included anorectal pain (79 percent), pus per anum (28 percent), and blood per anum (26 percent). Examination revealed perianal tenderness (60 percent), condyloma (38 percent), perianal ulcers (38 percent), and anal fissures (34 percent). Sixty-six sets of cultures were performed; 28 patients had one set, 15 had two sets, and 4 had three sets. Thirty-two of these 47 patients (68 percent) had positive cultures including herpes (50 percent), cytomegalovirus (25 percent),Neisseria gonorrhoeae (16 percent), chlamydia (16 percent), acidfast bacilli (2 percent), and others (9 percent). Six of 32 patients with positive cultures had more than one organism cultured. Sixteen (50 percent) patients with positive cultures were treated medically, 8 (25 percent) were treated surgically and 8 (25 percent) were treated with both modalities. Sixty-one procedures were performed on 17 patients for condylomata. Eighteen patients had 20 procedures for abscesses, 50 percent of whom had positive cultures for other than common bowel flora; all improved. Fourteen patients underwent 33 procedures for perianal fistulas.Mycobacterium fortuitum was cultured from one patient who required 13 procedures for abscesses and fistulas. Forty-five (96 percent) patients were followed for an average of 12.5 months ±2.9 SEM (range, 1–94 months). Symptoms were improved or resolved in 22 of 32 (69 percent) patients with positive cultures and in 11 of 13 (84 percent) with negative cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Specific pathogens may often be identified in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive patients with anorectal disorders if aggressively sought. Although patients without specific pathogens identified may be expected to improve with planned empiric treatment, positive identification allows more directed therapy.