Mitomycin C-induced apoptosis in cultured human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts

To investigate the mitomycin C-induced apoptotic cell death of fibroblasts, the primarily cultured human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts were exposed to a clinically used dosage of 0.4 mg/ml of mitomycin C for 5 minutes. TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling) assay and electron microscopic studies were performed to determine the extent of mitomycin C-induced apoptosis. A flow cytometric study was performed to quantify the apoptotic cell population over time. The TUNEL stains were positive and electron microscopy showed features of apoptotic cell death in some fibroblasts 3 and 5 days after treatment. Flow cytometric analysis using Annexin V-propidium iodide double staining detected apoptotic cells 3 days after treatment. These apoptotic cell populations increased at 4 days and were sustained for one week. This study revealed that the clinical effects of mitomycin C on fibroblasts may be mediated not only by antiproliferative but also apoptotic cell death to some degree. Therefore, the apoptotic cell death of fibroblasts induced by mitomycin C should be considered to properly understand the mechanism of wound healing after trabeculectomy with adjunctive mitomycin C.     

Early and delayed cardioprotection by heat stress is mediated by calcitonin gene-related peptide

Brief ischaemia or heat stress protects the myocardium against ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Heat stimulus evokes release of sensory nerve transmitters, including calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Since CGRP has been shown to play an important role in the mediation of ischaemic preconditioning, the present study examined whether early or delayed preconditioning induced by retrograde hyperthermic perfusion in vitro or by whole-body hyperthemia in vivo also involves endogenous CGRP. Isolated rat hearts were perfused in the Langendorff mode and subjected to 30 min global ischaemia and 30 min reperfusion. Heart rate, coronary flow, left ventricular pressure and its first derivatives (±dp/dt) were recorded and the CGRP-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-LI) content and the release of creatine kinase (CK) during reperfusion were measured. Retrograde hyperthermic perfusion (42 °C) for 5 min improved the recovery of cardiac function, decreased the release of CK and elevated the content of CGRP-LI in the coronary effluent. CGRP_8–37 (10^–7 mol/l), a selective CGRP receptor antagonist, abolished the cardioprotection by heat stress. Pretreatment with capsaicin (50 mg/kg s.c.), which specifically depletes sensory nerve transmitter content, abolished both the cardioprotection and the increased release of CGRP-LI. Whole-body hyperthermia (42 °C for 15 min) caused an increase in the plasma concentration of CGRP-LI. Early or delayed protection was shown in the hearts obtained from the animals subjected to whole-body hyperthermia 10 min or 48 h before the experiments. The early or delayed protection by heat stress was also abolished by pretreatment with capsaicin. The present study suggests that, in the rat, the early and delayed cardioprotection induced by heat stress involves endogenous CGRP. Received: 31 December 1998 / Accepted: 6 April 1999     

A brief history of studies on anti-tumor remedies in China

This paper gives a general introduction to the studies on the formulation and invention of anti-tumor remedies from 1950s-1980s. Beginning from 50s, antitumor antibiotics were investigated. New alkylicompoun and antibiotics were found in the 60s, while more new natural compounds were found in the 70s. Researches were proceeded in the 80s based on the former achievements. Through the process of about 30 years, nearly 80 new species were produced, many anti-tumor pharmaceutical corporations established, and a contigent of high level research workers was formed. However, there still exist a rather large gap between the urgent clinical needs for clinical chemotherapeutics and the actual status. Based on some 30 years of experience in China, the following points were summarized, i.e., shifting from merely imitation to invention, developing the spirit of massive cooperation, investigating the thesaurus of TCM, developing China's plant resources, and traditional Chinese preventive idea, so that the stress point for research be laid on the invention of preventive anti-tumor remedies.     

兴山五味子的质量研究

兴山五味子;;襄五脂素;;主要药理作用     

Microcirculation in unphysiological flaps at early stage after operation: an experimental study]

Microcirculation and blood perfusion in unphysiological flaps were observed with rabbit ear microcirculation chamber. The microcirculation of the venous flap in two days after operation was reestablished mainly by diversion of blood flow through the "to and fro" movement of venous blood. Arteriovenous anastomoses were gradually opened, resulting in the microcirculation to restore normal perfusion, venous blood through the anastomoses into arteriole then to capillaries. The microcirculation of arterialized venous flaps was almost the same as that of the venous flaps. In two days after operation, the diversion of blood flow perfused the capillaries under high pressure, so that the flow velocity and rate were much faster and larger than those of the venous flaps. The microcirculation of venouslized arterial flap, nourished by venous blood through the arterial system, was the same as that of the physiological flap. But the capillaries were perfused venous blood flow, and the blood flow velocity and rate were much slower and smaller than those of the physiological flap.     

Effect of melatonin on the regulation of proenkephalin and prodynorphin mRNA levels induced by kainic acid in the rat hippocampus

The in vivo short-term effect of melatonin on kainic acid (KA)-induced proenkephalin (proENK) or prodynorphin (proDYN) mRNA, and on AP-1 protein levels in the rat hippocampus, were studied. Melatonin (5 mg/kg) or saline was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to rats 30 min prior to and immediately after i.p. injection of KA (10 mg/kg). Rats were sacrificed 1 and 3 h after KA injection. The proENK and proDYN mRNA levels were significantly increased 3 h after KA administration. The elevations of both proENK and proDYN mRNA levels induced by KA were significantly inhibited by the preadministration with melatonin. The increases of proENK and proDYN mRNA levels induced by KA were well-correlated with the increases of c-Fos, Fra-2, FosB, c-Jun, and JunB protein levels, which were significantly increased 3 h after KA administration and effectively inhibited by administration with melatonin. In an electrophoretic mobility shift assay, both AP-1 and ENKCRE-2 DNA binding activities were increased by KA, which were also attenuated by the administration of melatonin. In addition, cross-competition studies revealed that AP-1 or ENKCRE-2 DNA binding activity was effectively reduced by the 50x unlabeled cross-competitor. Therefore, these data suggest that melatonin has an inhibitory role in KA-induced gene expression, such as proENK and proDYN mRNA expression, and this may be due to a reduction of KA-induced AP-1 or ENKCRE-2 DNA binding activity.     

儿童四肢不完全皮肤撕脱伤并开放性骨折的处理

目的 探讨儿童四肢不完全皮肤撕脱伤合并同部位开放性骨折的处理方法。方法总结1991年7月～2002年9月收治的四肢不完全皮肤撕脱伤合并同部位开放性骨折22例临床资料。结果21例骨折按期愈合，1例胫骨下段骨折延期愈合；皮肤撕脱伤15例愈合良好，5例散在皮肤小面积坏死。2例大面积坏死，经二期植皮治愈。结论骨折经清创、复位及内固定处理后，有血运的皮肤原位缝合，无血运的制成全厚或中厚网状皮片回植修复创而是治疗儿童四肢不完全皮肤撕脱伤并开放性骨折较为理想的方式。