甘氨酸对大鼠肝移植缺血再灌注损伤库普弗细胞CD14和核因子-κB的影响

目的 探讨甘氨酸对大鼠肝移植缺血再灌注损伤库普弗细胞CD14和核因子-κB(NF-κB)的影响。 方法 将大鼠分为肝移植缺血再灌注组、等渗盐水预处理组、甘氨酸预处理组,检测再灌注后受体存活率、肝脏功能和病理组织学改变。分离培养再灌注后库普弗细胞,检测细胞CD14 mRNA的表达、NF-κB活性、培养上清液肿瘤坏死因子α和白细胞介素-1分泌情况。 结果 甘氨酸预处理能明显提高大鼠术后1周存活率(x2值分别为6.67和8.57,P值均<0.0 1)、改善肝功能、减轻肝脏病理组织学改变;甘氨酸预处理能明显下调库普弗细胞CD14 mRNA的表达(F=7.64,P<0.01)、降低NF-κB活性(F=11.47,P<0.01)、减少上清液肿瘤坏死因子α和白细胞介素-1分泌(F值分别为14.08和9.56,P值均<0.01)。 结论 甘氨酸能够有效地减轻肝移植后缺血再灌注损伤,其机制可能与抑制库普弗细胞CD14表达和NF-κB活性、减少肿瘤坏死因子α和白细胞介素-1的分泌有关。     

CXC趋化因子受体3和其配体在大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤中的表达

目的:探讨CXC趋化因子受体3(CXCR3)及其配体IP-10和Mig在大鼠肝脏缺血/再灌注(I/R)损伤中的表达及作用.方法:32只Wistar大鼠随机分成4组,每组8只.即假手术组,部分肝脏缺血再灌注6,12和24 h组.应用酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)法检测肝组织肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α水平.应用半定量聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)法测定肝组织CXCR3及其配体IP-10,Mig mRNA的表达.同时检测血清丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)及天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)的含量.结果:假手术组肝组织中CXCR3,IP-10,Mig mRNA低表达.缺血再灌注各组肝组织中CXCR3和IP-10 mRNA表达水平均明显高于假手术组(CXCR3:0.925±0.109,0.786±0.074,0.606±0.082 vs 0.125±0.028,均P<0.01;IP-10:0.863±0.091,0.680±0.075,0.543±0.284 vs 0.128±0.027,均P<0.01),6 h组高于12 h组(P<0.01),12h组与24h组无明显差别(P>0.05).Mig mRNA水平较假手术组相比,无显著差异(P>0.05).缺血再灌注各组TNF-α水平较假手术组明显升高(154.88±14-35 ng/L,258.88±13.73 ng/L,182.87±10.95 ng/L vs 23.63±4.00 ng/L,均P<0.01),再灌注12 h达高峰.结论:CXCR3及其配体IP-10在肝脏缺血再灌注早期表达上调,在缺血再灌注损伤中起重要的作用.     

幼鼠肠缺血/再灌注损伤肠组织TNF-α和c-fos mRNA的表达

目的:观察幼鼠肠缺血／再灌注损伤(I／R)不同时点肠组织内肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、c-fos mRNA表达模式,探讨肠I／R的机制．方法:分离幼鼠肠系膜上动脉,制作动物模型,应用RT-PCR半定量法分析肠组织 TNF-α、c-fos mRNA表达．结果:与假手术组相比,肠组织内TNF-α mRNA缺血30 min显著升高(1．55±0．33 vs 1．07±0．08,P<0．05),再灌注30 min达峰值(3．05 ±0．11),再灌注后60,90 min逐渐下降;c-fos mRNA表达于缺血30 min后升高(0．95±0．13 vs 0．12±0．02,P<0．05),再灌注30 min达峰值 (1．53±0．11),再灌注后60 min迅速下降,再灌注后90 min达基线水平．结论:幼鼠肠I／R损伤介导肠组织内TNF-α和 c-fos mRNA的表达模式．c-fos mRNA表达伴随TNF-α mRNA表达,提示二者间可能存在关系．     

低氧诱导因子-1α减轻七氟烷处理小鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤中的研究

目的:探究HIF-1α对于使用七氟烷后处理的小鼠减轻其心肌缺血/再灌注损伤的相关机制。方法:将8周龄小鼠随机分为四组分别进行假手术,心肌缺血/再灌注, HIF-1α稳定剂+心肌缺血/再灌注,HIF-1α抑制剂+心肌缺血/再灌注。对心肌缺血/再灌注模型采取经典的结扎冠状动脉左前降支,之后对小鼠进行七氟烷后处理。分别检测四组大鼠的心肌组织中HIF-1α,NF-κB,TLR4,SOD的蛋白表达水平以及相关mRNA水平,凋亡相关蛋白Bax,BCL2的表达水平,心肌组织MPO活性等。结果:在进行处理之前,四组小鼠的AAR/LV以及An/AAR差异无统计学意义(P0.05);经过处理后,I/R组小鼠的AAR/LV以及An/AAR均显著高于对照组(P0.001),DMOG+I/R组相比I/R组,AAR/LV以及An/AAR均发生了显著降低(P0.001),YC-1+I/R组相比I/R组,AAR/LV以及An/AAR又均发生了显著升高(P0.01);当小鼠发生心肌缺血/再灌注时,小鼠体内的HIF-1α蛋白水平显著下调,炎症因子NF-κB和TLR4显著上升,抗氧化蛋白SOD显著下降,促凋亡蛋白Bax显著升高,抗凋亡蛋白BCL2水平显著下降;而当在此基础上加入HIF-1α增强剂DMOG时,可以使炎症因子NF-κB和TLR4显著下调,抗氧化蛋白SOD显著上升,促凋亡蛋白Bax显著下降,抗凋亡蛋白BCL2水平显著升高,加入HIF-1α抑制剂YC-1现象相反;I/R组小鼠的NF-κB和TLR4水平显著升高(t=4.687,5.124,P0.05),DMOG+I/R组相比I/R组,其NF-κB和TLR4水平发生显著下降(t=4.112,4.197,P0.05),YC-1+I/R组相比I/R组,其NF-κB和TLR4水平发生显著回升(t=2.335,2.138,P0.05);经过处理之后,对照组小鼠的MPO活性为(0.28±0.54),I/R组小鼠的为(1.45±0.31),显著升高(t=3.875,P0.05),DMOG+I/R组的为(0.88±0.23),相比I/R组发生了显著降低(t=3.224,P0.05);而YC-1+I/R组的为(1.98±0.39),相比I/R组发生了显著回升(t=3.015,P0.05)。结论:HIF-1α可有效减轻大鼠在心肌损伤/再灌注所致的炎性损伤并避免心肌细胞凋亡,对心肌细胞起到良好的保护作用。     

蛋白酶激活受体-2对缺血再灌注大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的影响

目的 探讨蛋白酶激活受体2(PAR-2)对缺血再灌注大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的影响.方法 40只雄性SD大鼠随机分为5组:假手术组(sham组),缺血再灌注组(I/R组)和丝-亮-异亮-甘-精-亮-酰胺(SLIGRL-NH2)低剂量组(0.5 mg/kg)、中剂量组(1 mg/kg)、高剂茸组(3 mg/kg),每组8只,建立大鼠在体心肌缺血再灌注模型.采用末端标记法(TUNEL)和DNA琼脂糖凝胶电泳的方法检测心肌细胞凋亡,免疫组织化学法检测凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2、Bax的表达,实时荧光定量PCR检测心肌细胞PAR-2mRNA的表达情况.结果 (1)SLIGRL-NH2中、高剂量组凋亡指数明显低于I/R组(SLIGRL-NH2中、高剂量组分别为23.36%±3.77%、15.56%±1.24%比I/R组35.19%±4.50%,P<0.05～0.01);凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2高于I/R组(SLIGRL-NH2中、高剂量组分别为0.983±0.103、1.197±0.119比I/R组0.761±0.043,P<0.05～0.01);凋亡相关蛋白Bax的表达显著低于I/R组(SLIGRL-NH2中、高剂量组分别为0.646±0.041,0.578±0.029比I/R组0.759±0.035,P均<0.01);PAR-2mRNA的表达明显高于I/R组(SLIGRL-NH2中、高剂量组分别为3.73±0.45,7.62±0.81比I/R组1.42±0.41,P均<0.01).(2)DNA凝胶电泳结果显示,I/R组、SLIGRL-NH2低剂量组可见到DNA梯带,假手术组和SLIGRL-NH2中、高剂量组则无明显DNA梯带.结论 PAR-2激动剂SLIGRL-NH2可上调并激活PAR-2,并通过增加Bcl-2/Bax的比值抑制大鼠缺血再灌注心肌细胞的凋亡而发挥心肌保护效应,且该作用具有一定的剂量依赖效应.     

丙泊酚对大鼠离体缺血/再灌注心肌细胞凋亡和Bcl-2/Bax蛋白表达的影响

目的研究丙泊酚对大鼠离体缺血/再灌注心肌细胞凋亡的影响及其机制。方法 SD大鼠30只,随机分为丙泊酚组与对照组,制备大鼠离体心肌缺血/再灌注(MI/R)模型,在再灌注开始时分别给以丙泊酚(25μmol/L,以950 mL/L乙醇为溶剂)或950 ml/L乙醇(3μL/h)。再灌注结束后,将缺血区剪下,制备石蜡切片,采用TUNEL技术检测心肌凋亡,免疫组化技术检测心肌组织的Bcl-2和Bax水平。结果丙泊酚组与对照组相比,心肌细胞凋亡明显增多,分别为(3 5.2±6.7)%(、5.2±0.8)%(t=28.1,P<0.01);Bcl-2表达降低,分别为5.7±1.3、1.8±0.8(t=11.9,P<0.01);Bax增高,分别为9.1±1.3、5.9±1.3,(t=11.9,P<0.01)。结论大剂量丙泊酚促进大鼠离体缺血/再灌注心肌细胞凋亡,提高Bax蛋白表达,降低Bcl-2蛋白表达。丙泊酚对Bcl-2/bax的调节可能是其促凋亡的主要机制之一。     

Toll样受体4在大鼠心肌缺血再灌注损伤中表达的实验研究

目的 观察心肌缺血再灌注早期Toll样受体4 mRNA(TLR4 mRNA)及蛋白表达,探讨TLR4在心肌缺血再灌注损伤中的作用.方法 雄性SD大鼠随机分为2组:假手术组(Sham组)、缺血再灌注组(IR组),每组36只,建立大鼠心肌缺血再灌注模型,按照不同的再灌注时间(0、0.5、1、24和8 h)处死动物.光镜和电镜观察心肌组织形态及超微结构改变.免疫组化检测心肌TLR4蛋白表达情况.实时定量逆转录聚合酶链反应定量心肌TLR4 mRNA表达水平.酶联免疫吸附试验测定心肌中肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)含量.结果 (1)Sham组心肌组织形态及超微结构改变不明显;IR组心肌损伤较重,缺血心肌恢复血液灌注8 h内,其病理学变化未见显著改善.(2)Sham组与IR组TLR4蛋白都有阳性表达,IR组TLR4表达增加,且以再灌注1 h最为明显(19.62±3.84,P＜0.01).(3)与Sham组比较,IR组心肌,TLR4 mRNA表达水平均出现不同程度上调,以再灌注1 h达到峰值[(4.03±0.85)×10-2,P＜0.01],而Sham组各时间点未见明显改变.(4)IR组心肌TNF-α水平高于各对应时间点Sham组(P均＜0.05),且心肌TLR4 mRNA表达与TNF-α呈正相关(r=0.728,P＜0.01).结论 心肌缺血再灌注早期,心肌TLR4表达迅速上调,TLR4的激活可能通过促进TNF-α等炎性因子的产生分泌增多来介导心肌缺血再灌注损伤.     

低灌注处理对家兔心肌缺血再灌注损伤的影响

目的观察低灌注处理对心肌缺血/再灌注(I/R)损伤家兔凋亡基因bcl-2、caspase 3表达及心功能的影响。方法家兔16只随机分为2组:心肌I/R组、低灌注处理组。记录两组家兔缺血前、缺血30 min及再灌180 min时的左室收缩峰压(LVSP)、左室舒张末压(LVEDP)和左室内压最大收缩/舒张变化速率(±dp/dtmax);运用免疫组化法检测心肌组织bcl-2蛋白表达;运用RT-PCR法检测心肌bcl-2、caspase-3 mRNA的表达。结果与对照组比较,低灌注处理组的±dp/dtmax、bcl-2 mRNA表达、bcl-2蛋白表达增高,而caspase-3 mRNA表达降低(P<0.05)。结论低灌注处理上调抑凋亡基因bcl-2、下调促凋亡基因caspase3的表达并能改善心肌I/R家兔的心功能。     

局灶性脑缺血-再灌注大鼠脑中Kuppel样转录因子2表达及核因子κB抑制剂的作用

目的：探讨Kuppel样转录因子2（KLF2）在大鼠局灶性脑缺血-再灌注（I／R）损伤后的表达及核因子κB（ NF-κB）抑制剂的干预作用。方法取健康雄性SD大鼠60只,按照随机数字表法分为假手术组、I／R组、NF-κB抑制剂组,每组20只,采用大脑中动脉线栓法制作大鼠局灶性脑I／R模型,并给予NF-κB抑制剂———吡咯烷二硫代氨基甲酸盐（ PDTC）进行干预,观察时间点为I／R后6、12、24、48 h。采用逆转录PCR及Western Blot测定缺血脑组织KLF2 mRNA及其蛋白的表达,采用ELISA法测定血清中肿瘤坏死因子α（ TNF-α）水平并进行各组间的比较。结果与假手术组比较,I／R组6、12、24、48 h缺血脑组织中KLF2 mRNA及蛋白表达水平均降低（ KLF2 mRNA相对表达量分别为：0.46±0.03比0.82±0.04,0.30±0.04比0.78±0.05,0.18±0.04比0.76±0.02,0.26±0.02比0.81±0.04;KLF2蛋白相对表达量分别为：0.46±0.04比0.80±0.02,0.30±0.02比0.79±0.02,0.15±0.02比0.77±0.01,0.24±0.01比0.79±0.02）,I／R后24 h达最低值,而血清TNF-α水平升高,差异均有统计学意义（均P<0.05）;给予NF-κB抑制剂PDTC后,I／R后6、12、24、48 h KLF2 mRNA及蛋白表达水平较I／R组出现不同程度的上调,KLF2 mRNA相对表达量分别为0.61±0.04、0.44±0.03、0.34±0.02、0.43±0.04,KLF2蛋白水平的相对表达量分别为0.60±0.02、0.43±0.02、0.33±0.01、0.44±0.03,而TNF-α含量降低,差异均有统计学意义（均 P<0.05）。I／R组及PDTC组各时间点脑组织中KLF2 mRNA水平与血清中TNF-α水平呈负相关（ r=—0.728,P<0.05）。结论脑I／R后脑组织中KLF2 mRNA表达水平降低,且与血清TNF-α水平存在负相关,其可能通过NF-κB通路介导炎性反应参与脑I／R病理过程。     

不同时间脑缺血/再灌注损伤小鼠大脑Bcl-2和Caspase-3表达的变化

目的观察不同缺血时间所引起的再灌注损伤小鼠脑神经细胞Bcl-2、Caspase-3蛋白表达的变化。方法健康昆明种小鼠50只,随机均分为五组,假手术组:仅行手术,不实施脑缺血;I/RⅠ组:缺血30 min,再灌注1 h;I/RⅡ组:缺血60 min,再灌注1 h;I/RⅢ组:缺血90 min,再灌注1 h;I/RⅣ组:缺血120 min,再灌注1 h;取小鼠脑组织,进行免疫组织化学染色(SP法)和计算机图像分析。结果在一定缺血时间范围内,Bcl-2随缺血时间的延长而表达增加,其中I/RⅡ组Bcl-2的平均光密度(MOD)值分别与假手术组和I/RⅠ组比较,均有显著性差异(P<0.05);但缺血时间进一步延长,I/RⅢ组和I/RⅣ组Bcl-2表达逐渐减少,分别与I/RⅡ组Bcl-2的MOD值比较,均有显著性差异(P<0.05)。Caspase-3随着缺血时间的延长而表达不断增加,I/RⅠ组、I/RⅡ组和I/RⅢ组Caspase-3的MOD值分别与假手术组比较,其差异均有显著性(P<0.05);但缺血时间过久,I/RⅣ组Caspase-3表达减弱,与I/RⅢ组Caspase-3的MOD值比较,有显著性差异(P<0.05)。结论在缺血早期受损神经元内,Bcl-2和Caspase-3表达均上调且Caspase-3占优势,但随着缺血时间的进一步延长,Bcl-2表达显著减少,为临床上早期使用Caspase抑制剂和Bcl-2激动剂治疗急性脑缺血性疾病提供实验室依据。     

Neutrophil-mediated liver injury during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion in rats

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil plays an important role in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. We investigated neutrophil infiltration in liver tissue, Kupffer cells' role in neutrophil accumulation, and apoptosis and regeneration of hepatocytes in liver ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS: Vascular microclamps were placed across the pedicles of the median and left lateral lobes for 90 minutes after 30% hepatectomy with the resection of caudate, right lateral and quadrate lobes and papillary process. Gadolinium chloride (GdCl3) was used to destroy Kupffer cells. Neutrophil activity was inhibited with Urge-8, a monoclonal antibody against neutrophil produced in our laboratory. GdCl3 (10 mg/kg) and Urge-8 (50 mg/kg) were given intravenously in respective groups. Ischemia control, GdCl3 and Urge-8 groups were compared. RESULTS: Following hepatic reperfusion, serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels and hepatic neutrophil counts peaked at 3 hours, and peak concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) occurred at 6 hours. Animals of the control group showed increases in neutrophil infiltration in liver tissue, liver enzyme levels, and apoptosis index of hepatocytes and decreases in overall survival rate and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression of hepatocytes. The survival rates and PCNA proportion of hepatocytes were higher and the levels of hepatic neutrophil infiltration, liver enzymes, and hepatocyte apoptosis after reperfusion were lower in the GdCl3 and Urge-8 groups than those in the ischemia control group. CONCLUSIONS: Blockades of Kupffer cells' activity and neutrophil infiltration by GdCl3 and Urge-8 eliminate neutrophil-mediated hepatic injury and enhance subsequent hepatic regeneration during liver ischemiareperfusion.     

Toll样受体参与小鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤

目的探讨Toll样受体是否参与小鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤及其机制. 方法用Toll样受体缺损小鼠(C3H/Hej,Hej组)和野生型(C3H/Heouj,Heouj组)小鼠复制部分肝脏缺血再灌注损伤模型,于缺血45min,再灌注1h和3h处死动物,检测血清天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)和血清肿瘤坏死因子α(TNFα)的含量;并以northern blot及髓过氧化物酶(MPO)试验分别检测缺血肝组织TNFα mRNA的表达和MPO的含量. 结果 (1)再灌注1、3h,与假手术组相比,小鼠血浆AST明显升高,但Hej组明显低于Heouj组(661.83U/L±106.09U/L和1215.5U/L±174.03U/L,t＝-6.65,P<0.01;1145.17U/L±132.43U/L和2958.17U/L±186.81U/L,t＝-5.57,P<0.01);(2)再灌注3h时,与假手术组相比,Hej组和Heouj组小鼠血清TNFα浓度明显升高,且前者明显低于后者(152.39pg/ml±43.3pg/ml和249.12pg/ml±51.89pg/ml,t＝-3.13,P<0.05);(3)再灌注1h,除假手术组外,Hej组和Heouj组小鼠缺血肝组织内可见TNFα mRNA的表达,但前者的表达水平明显低于后者,杂交带密度分析显示两者之间差异有显著性 (80.3±28.8与189.4±24.6,t＝-3.25,P<0.05);(4)再灌注3h,与假手术组相比,Hej组和Heouj组小鼠缺血肝组织内MPO含量明显升高,且前者含量明显低于后者(0.059±0.004和0.173±0.025,F＝33.49,P<0.01). 结论 Toll样受体可能通过其介导的炎性通路参与了小鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤.     

Blockade of Kupffer cells by gadolinium chloride reduces lipid peroxidation and protects liver from ischemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The implication of lipid peroxidation in the inhibitory effect of GdCl3 (gadolinium chloride) on Kupffer cells activation has not been extensively investigated. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of GdCl3 inhibition of Kupffer cells activation on lipid peroxidation after severe total hepatic ischemia/reperfusion. METHODOLOGY: Male Wistar rats (n = 40) were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a control ischemia/reperfusion group, and two ischemia/reperfusion groups pretreated with GdCl3 (10 mg and 20 mg/kg bw intravenously, 48 and 24 h prior to operation). Following 60 min of total hepatic ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion, the rats were sacrificed, and liver samples were taken for determination of malondialdehyde and light microscopy examination. Blood samples were also taken for assay of aspartate and alanine transaminase. Additional animals (n = 60) were followed up for a 7-day survival rate determination. RESULTS: Ischemia/reperfusion decreased the survival rate to 13.3%, increased (p < 0.001) the levels of aspartate and alanine transaminase in serum to 2387 +/- 75 and 2157 +/- 87 IU/L, respectively, and increased (p < 0.001) malondialdehyde levels in liver to 1.609 +/- 0.096 nmoles/g compared with 1.164 +/- 0.060 in the sham operation group. Pretreatment with GdCl3 increased the survival rate to 60%, and decreased (p < 0.001) the levels of aspartate transaminase in serum to 1549 +/- 66 and 1496 +/- 55 IU/L, the levels of alanine transaminase in serum to 1302 +/- 48 and 1305 +/- 63 IU/L, and the levels of malondialdehyde in liver to 1.132 +/- 0.034 and 1.149 +/- 0.57 nmoles/g for the lower and the higher doses of GdCl3, respectively. Histological examination showed protection of liver parenchyma in the animals treated with GdCl3. CONCLUSIONS: Experimental data suggest that GdCl3 inhibition of Kupffer cells activation protects liver from ischemia/reperfusion injury by a mechanism that reduces lipid peroxidation.     

Ascorbate inhibits apoptosis of Kupffer cells during warm ischemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study sought to determine whether ascorbate (Asc), a scavenger of reactive oxygen species, inhibits apoptosis of hepatic cells consisting of hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, and sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) in the rat liver after warm ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. METHODOLOGY: Hepatic warm ischemia (69% of the total liver) was induced for 30 min, followed by reperfusion for 60 min. In some animals, ascorbate (at 1 or 10 mg/kg) was infused intravenously immediately before the onset of reperfusion. Hepatic cell apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). Mitochondrial release of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm was assessed by Western blot analysis, and the activation of caspase-3 in liver tissue was determined by colorimetric assays. RESULTS: Assays of cytochrome c release and caspase-3 showed increased levels of these apoptotic related proteins and enzyme activity. While few apoptotic hepatocytes or SECs were detected in the ischemic group by TUNEL staining, the number of TUNEL-positive Kupffer cells was approximately 4.5-fold greater than that seen in the sham-treatment group. Ascorbate treatment reduced this increase in apoptotic Kupffer cells. CONCLUSION: The hepatic cells most vulnerable to oxidative stress in the first hour of reperfusion were Kupffer cells. These may play a key role in hepatic warm I/R injury.     

Protection against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury via downregulation of toll-like receptor 2 expression by inhibition of Kupffer cell function

AIM: To elucidate the mechanism of liver protection by inhibition of Kupffer cells (KCs) function. METHODS: All the animals were randomly divided into three groups. Blockade group (gadolinium chloride solution (GdCl3) injection plus ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury): GdCl3 solution was injected once every 24 h for 2 d via the tail vein before I/R injury. Non-blockade group (saline solution injection plus I/R injury): saline instead of GdCl3 as a control was injected as in the blockade group. Sham group: saline was injected without I/R injury. Liver samples were collected 4 h after blood inflow restoration. The blockade of the function of KCs was verified by immunostaining with an anti-CD68 mAb. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) was immunostained with a goat antimouse polyclonal anti-TLR2 antibody. Membrane proteins were extracted from the liver samples and TLR2 protein was analyzed by Western blot. Portal vein serum and plasma were taken respectively at the same time point for further detection of the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), an indicator of liver function. RESULTS: Compared to non-blockade group, CD68+ cells significantly reduced in blockade group (OPTDI, optical density integral): 32.97±10.55 vs 185.65±21.88, P<0.01) and the liver function impairment was relieved partially (level of ALT: 435.89±178.37 U/L vs 890.21±272.91 U/L, P<0.01).The expression of TLR2 protein in blockade group significantly decreased compared to that in non-blockade group (method of immunohistochemistry, OPDTI: 75.74±17.44 vs 170.58±25.14, P<0.01; method of Western blot, A value: 125.89±15.49 vs 433.91±35.53, P<0.01). The latter correlated with the variation of CD68 staining (r= 0.745, P<0.05). Also the level of portal vein TNF-a decreased in blockade group compared to that in non-blockade group (84.45±14.73 ng/L vs 112.32±17.56 ng/L, P<0.05), but was still higher than that in sham group (84.45±14.73 ng/L vs 6.07±5.33 ng/L, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Inhibition of the function of KCs may protect liver against I/R injury via downregulation of the expression of TLR2.     

库普弗细胞功能状态对肠缺血再灌注小鼠肝细胞凋亡和血清肿瘤坏死因子的影响

目的 研究库普弗细胞功能状态对肠缺血再灌注小鼠肝细胞凋亡和血清肿瘤坏死因子的影响。方法 封闭和不封闭BALB／c小鼠库普弗细胞(从尾静脉注射GdCl3或生理盐水27ml／kg体重)48h后，夹闭肠系膜上动脉1h后松夹，复制肠缺血再灌注模型。运用流式细胞术和酶联免疫法，分别检测缺血前、缺血60min、再灌注30min、60min肝细胞凋亡情况和血清肿瘤坏死因子的变化。结果 结果表明，肠缺血60min、再灌注30min、60min时，肝细胞凋亡数增多，血清肿瘤坏死因子水平逐渐升高；封闭库普弗细胞后，肝细胞凋亡数增多更显著，血清肿瘤坏死因子水平在同时间点上无显著差异。结论 库普弗细胞功能状态的变化对肠缺血再灌注时肝损伤有重要影响。     

Protection against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury via downregulation of toil-like receptor 2 expression by inhibition of Kupffer cell function

AIM: To elucidate the mechanism of liver protection by inhibition of Kupffer cells (KCs) function.METHODS: All the animals were randomly divided into three groups. Blockade group (gadolinium chloride solution (GdCl3) injection plus ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury):GdCl3 solution was injected once every 24 h for 2 d via the tail vein before I/R injury. Non-blockade group (saline solution injection plus I/R injury): saline instead of GdCl3 as a control was injected as in the blockade group. Sham group: saline was injected without I/R injury. Liver samples were collected 4 h after blood inflow restoration. The blockade of the function of KCs was verified by immunostaining with an anti-CD68 mAb. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) was immunostained with a goat antimouse polyclonal anti-TLR2 antibody. Membrane proteins were extracted from the liver samples and TLR2 protein was analyzed by Western blot. Portal vein serum and plasma were taken respectively at the same time point for further detection of the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), an indicator of liver function.RESULTS: Compared to non-blockade group, CD68+ cells significantly reduced in blockade group (OPTDI, optical density integral): 32.97±10.55 vs 185.65±21.88,P＜0.01)and the liver function impairment was relieved partially (level of ALT: 435.89±178.37 U/L vs890.21±272.91 U/L,P＜0.01). The expression of TLR2 protein in blockade group significantly decreased compared to that in non-blockade group (method of immunohistochemistry, OPDTI: 75.74±17.44vs 170.58±-25.14, P＜0.01; method of Western blot,A value: 125.89±15.49 vs433.91±35.53, P＜0.01). The latter correlated with the variation of CD68 staining (r = 0.745,P＜0.05). Also the level of portal vein TNF-α decreased in blockade group compared to that in non-blockade group (84.45±14.73 ng/L vs112.32±17.56 ng/L, P＜0.05), but was still higher than that in sham group (84.45±14.73 ng/Lvs 6.07±5.33 ng/L, P＜0.01).CONCLUSION: Inhibition of the function of KCs may protect liver against I/R injury via downregulation of the expression of TLR2.     

Toll-like receptor-4 signaling and Kupffer cells play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Studies in animal models and humans suggest a link between endotoxemia and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Since Kupffer cells are responsible for clearing endotoxin and are activated via endotoxin interaction with Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), we examined the relationship between hepatic TLR-4 expression and Kupffer cell content during the genesis of steatohepatitis. METHODS: Male C57BL/6, C3H/HouJ and TLR-4 mutant C3H/HeJ mice were fed control or methionine/choline-deficient diet (MCDD). In one group of C57BL/6 mice, Kupffer cells were depleted by weekly intraperitoneal injections of clodronate liposomes. After 3 weeks, serum ALT activity and portal endotoxin levels were measured. Real-time PCR was used to examine mRNA expression of TLR-4, TLR-2, CD14, MD-2, TGFbeta, TNFalpha, CD36, PPAR-alpha, liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) and collagen alpha1. RESULTS: We observed histological evidence typical of steatohepatitis, portal endotoxemia and enhanced TLR-4 expression in wild type mice fed MCDD. In contrast, injury and lipid accumulation markers were significantly lower in TLR-4 mutant mice. Destruction of Kupffer cells with clodronate liposomes blunted histological evidence of steatohepatitis and prevented increases in TLR-4 expression. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate the importance of TLR-4 signaling and underscore a direct link between TLR-4 and Kupffer cells in the pathogenesis of steatohepatitis.     

钙敏感受体与缺血/再灌注损伤诱发心肌细胞凋亡的线粒体途径的关系

目的探讨钙敏感受体（CaR）参与心肌缺血／再灌注损伤诱发细胞凋亡的机制。方法Langendorff离体灌流的方法复制心脏缺血／再灌注模型。观察缺血／再灌注和加入CaR激动剂时CaR的表达情况。TUNEL染色观察不同组别细胞凋亡,应用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜观察大鼠心肌细胞的线粒体膜电位的变化。Western blot检测心肌组织线粒体中细胞色素C及Bcl-2的表达。结果心肌缺血／再灌注和加入CaR激动剂时CaR的表达明显高于对照组（P均〈0．01）。TUNEL染色发现缺血／再灌注组和激动剂组细胞凋亡率明显增加（P均〈0．05）,同时此两组的线粒体膜电位下降明显（P均〈0．05）,线粒体细胞色素C与Bcl-2的表达也明显下降（P均〈0．05）。结论CaR激活在缺血／再灌注时通过诱发线粒体损伤,促进细胞凋亡。