血管紧张素（1～7）舒血管机制的研究

目的　探讨血管紧张素(1～7)［Ang(1～7)］对血管功能的作用及机制。方法　应用生理多导仪测定存在和去除内皮后,血管对血管紧张素的反应;用钙敏感指示剂Fura-2/AM检测血管平滑肌细胞（VSMC）内游离钙离子浓度（［Ca2+］i）;RT-PCR检测VSMC血管紧张素受体（ATR）mRNA表达。结果　Ang(1～7)明显抑制AngⅡ对动脉环的收缩作用,在内皮完整的动脉环比去除内皮的动脉环作用更明显;Ang(1～7)同样明显抑制AngⅡ诱导的VSMC［Ca2+］i上升幅度;AngⅡ能下调AT1RmRNA,而Ang(1～7)上调AT1RmRNA,AngⅡ和Ang(1～7)对AT2RmRNA影响不明显。结论　Ang(1～7)通过作用于血管内皮及VSMC内钙信号发挥抑制血管平滑肌收缩的作用。     

血管紧张素（1—7）舒血管机制的研究

目的 探讨血管紧张素（1－7）[Ang(1-7)]对血管功能的作用及机制。方法 应用生理多导仪测定存在和去除内皮后,血管对血管紧张素的反应;用钙敏感指示剂Fura-2/AM检测血管平滑肌细胞（VSMC）内游离钙离子浓度（[Ca^2 ]i);RT－PCR检测VSMC血管紧张素受体（ATR）mRNA表达。结果 Ang(1-7)明显抑制AngⅡ对动脉环的收缩作用,在内皮完整的动脉环比去除内皮的动脉环作用更明显;Ang(1-7)同样明显抑制AngⅡ诱导的VSMC[Ca^2 ]i上升幅度;AngⅡ能下调AT1RmRNA,而Ang(1-7)上调AT1RmRNA,AngⅡ和Ang(1-7)对AT2RmRNA影响不明显。结论 Ang(1-7)通过作用于血管内皮及VSMC内钙信号发挥抑制血管平滑肌收缩的作用。     

肾上腺髓质素抑制血管紧张素Ⅱ刺激血管平滑肌细胞增生作用

目的　观察肾上腺髓质素 (adrenomedullinADM)对血管紧张素Ⅱ (AngⅡ )刺激血管平滑肌细胞增生作用的影响。方法　测定ADM、AngⅡ对细胞3H leu掺入及 (MAPK)和 (PKC)活性的作用。结果　AngⅡ促进细胞3H leu掺入及MAPK和PKC活性增加 ;ADM对细胞3H leu掺入及MAPK、PKC活性均无明显影响 ,但呈浓度依赖方式抑制AngⅡ促细胞3H leu掺入及MAPK活性增加。结论　ADM通过抑制AngⅡ对MAPK的激活 ,拮抗其促血管平滑肌细胞增生作用。     

大鼠血管平滑肌细胞迁移能力变化与血管紧张素Ⅱ的关系

目的 研究血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ）及其受体拮抗剂对培养的大鼠血管平滑肌细胞（VSMC）迁移能力影响,以探讨AngⅡ介导高血压、动脉粥样硬化和血管成形术后再狭窄斑块形成的生物学机制。方法 采用改良Boyden小室,对不同浓度AngⅡ及其AT1R、AT2R拮抗剂作用下VSMC跨膜 迁移细胞数进行评价。结果 AngⅡ在一定的浓度范围内（10^-11～10^-7mol/L）可以剂量依赖性地刺激体外培养的大鼠VSMC发生迁移。迁移的VSMC数在AngⅡ浓度为10^-7mol/L时达到峰值,更高浓度的AngⅡ(10^-6mol/L）干预VSMC后,VSMC迁移数量的增加幅度反而比较低浓度的AngⅡ作用时减小（与10^-7mol/L AngⅡ组比较,P＜0．01）。AT1R拮抗剂CV－11974剂量依赖性抑制AngⅡ诱导VSMC跨膜迁移,AT2R拮抗剂PD123319对此无影响。结论 AngⅡ在AT1R介导下发挥其影响VSMC迁移行为的生物学效应,较低浓度AngⅡ促进VSMC迁移,高浓度AngⅡ上述作用明显减弱。     

血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体拮抗剂抗动脉粥样硬化机制研究进展

血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体拮抗荆从多方面阻滞血管紧张素Ⅱ的功能，来抑制动脉粥样硬化的形成和发展：降低核因子κB活性而抑制趋化因子及粘附分子的释放，对抗炎症反应；降低细胞内总氧化能力，减少自由基生成，减弱低密度脂蛋白氧化，抑制巨噬细胞吞噬氧化型低密度脂蛋白的能力，从而减少泡沫细胞形成；增加内皮源性血管舒张因子水平，保护血管内皮；抑制血管平滑肌细胞迁移和增殖；降低血小板黏附、聚集活性，抑制血栓形成；减少动脉斑块内胆固醇酯含量，减少巨噬细胞浸润、抑制基质金属蛋白酶1的表达，增加斑块稳定性。     

大鼠血管平滑肌细胞迁移能力变化与血管紧张素Ⅱ的关系

目的　研究血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）及其受体拮抗剂对培养的大鼠血管平滑肌细胞（VSMC）迁移能力影响,以探讨AngⅡ介导高血压、动脉粥样硬化和血管成形术后再狭窄斑块形成的生物学机制。方法　采用改良Boyden小室,对不同浓度AngⅡ及其AT1R、AT2R拮抗剂作用下VSMC跨膜迁移细胞数进行评价。结果　AngⅡ在一定的浓度范围内（10-11～10-7mol/L）可以剂量依赖性地刺激体外培养的大鼠VSMC发生迁移。迁移的VSMC数在AngⅡ浓度为10-7mol/L时达到峰值,更高浓度的AngⅡ（10-6mol/L）干预VSMC后,VSMC迁移数量的增加幅度反而比较低浓度的AngⅡ作用时减小（与10-7mol/LAngⅡ组比较,P<0.01）。AT1R拮抗剂CV-11974剂量依赖性抑制AngⅡ诱导VSMC跨膜迁移,AT2R拮抗剂PD123319对此无影响。结论　AngⅡ在AT1R介导下发挥其影响VSMC迁移行为的生物学效应,较低浓度AngⅡ促进VSMC迁移,高浓度AngⅡ上述作用明显减弱。     

血管紧张素Ⅱ和血小板衍生生长因子BB:引起系膜细胞内游离钙浓度变化的异同

目的：研究血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)和血小板衍生生长因子BB(platelet-derived growth factor-BB，PDGF-BB)引起的肾小球系膜细胞(MC)内游离钙浓度变化的异同。方法：以体外培养的MC为研究对象，激光共聚焦显微术结合Fura-3染色法动态测定细胞内游离钙浓度。结果：AngⅡ和PDGF-BB均可浓度依赖性地引起MC内游离钙浓度的升高，但二者的动态变化曲线存在显著不同。无钙缓冲液和钙通道阻滞剂均可抑制AngⅡ和PDGF-BB引起的细胞内钙浓度变化，但其抑制的方式和程度均有所不同。结论：AngⅡ和PDGF-BB通过不同的激发途径引起MC内游离钙浓度的升高。     

卡托普利和氯沙坦对AngⅡ所致血管平滑肌细胞凋亡的影响

目的 探讨血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)在不同浓度和不同作用时间下对血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)凋亡的作用及卡托普利(CP)和氯沙坦(LT)对其的影响。方法采用流式细胞技术测定在AngⅡ不同浓度和不同作用时间下VSMC凋亡率的变化和CP、LT对其的影响。结果中低剂量AngⅡ对VSMC凋亡无明显作用,大剂量有诱导凋亡的作用;单用LT对VSMC凋亡无明显作用,单用CP有促进凋亡作用,二者合用时明显增加凋亡率。结论 大剂量AngⅡ可明显促进VSMC凋亡,合用CP和LT可明显增加AngⅡ所致VSMC的凋亡率。     

雌激素对血管平滑肌细胞内游离钙的调节作用

目的：动态观察雌二醇（Ｅ２）对单个血管平滑肌细胞内游离钙离子浓度及血管紧张素Ⅱ引致的细胞内钙离子浓度变化的影响，以探讨雌激素对平滑肌细胞内储存钙释放的调节作用。方法：体外培养健康雌性兔胸主动脉中层平滑肌，细胞接种在５７０型粘附式细胞仪专用的培养皿中，加入１０－５、１０－７、１０－９ｍｏｌ／Ｌ３种不同浓度的Ｅ２处理。另用３种不同浓度的Ｅ２预处理细胞１小时后，加入血管紧张素Ⅱ。实验分单纯血管紧张素Ⅱ处理组和血管紧张素Ⅱ＋不同浓度Ｅ２预处理组，用ｆｕｒａ－３法测定细胞内钙离子浓度。结果：３种浓度Ｅ２对平滑肌细胞内游离钙离子浓度的基础水平无影响，但１０－５、１０－７ｍｏｌ／Ｌ的Ｅ２预处理细胞后血管紧张素Ⅱ未能激发细胞内游离钙离子浓度升高。结论：雌激素可能参与血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的血管平滑肌细胞内钙离子浓度变化的调节     

降钙素基因相关肽介导内皮祖细胞抑制血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的血管平滑肌细胞表型转化

目的初步探讨内皮祖细胞抑制血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的血管平滑肌细胞表型转化的分子机制。方法从人脐带血分离、培养、诱导内皮祖细胞分化并鉴定,制备早期内皮祖细胞条件培养基,酶联免疫吸附试验检测降钙素基因相关肽分泌情况。经降钙素基因相关肽抗体预处理内皮祖细胞条件培养基或阻断内皮祖细胞降钙素基因相关肽受体后,采用逆转录聚合酶链反应和免疫印迹观察内皮祖细胞条件培养基对血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的血管平滑肌细胞收缩表型标志基因平滑肌α-肌动蛋白以及合成表型标志基因骨桥蛋白表达变化的作用;进一步观察内皮祖细胞条件培养基对血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的血管平滑肌细胞增殖信号通路(ERK、核因子κB通路)的作用。结果早期内皮祖细胞能够分泌较高浓度的降钙素基因相关肽,并且较晚期内皮祖细胞及脐静脉内皮祖细胞高;内皮祖细胞条件培养基处理能明显抑制血管平滑肌细胞表型转化;阻断降钙素基因相关肽作用后,内皮祖细胞条件培养基对血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的血管平滑肌细胞表型转化的抑制能力明显降低;同时内皮祖细胞条件培养基能够明显抑制血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的ERK以及核因子κB通路的活化;阻断降钙素基因相关肽作用后,内皮祖细胞条件培养基对血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的ERK、核因子κB信号通路活化的抑制能力明显降低。结论降钙素基因相关肽参与介导内皮祖细胞抑制血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的血管平滑肌细胞的表型转化,其机制可能与其抑制血管平滑肌细胞ERK、核因子κB信号通路活化有关。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.