Alport syndrome associated with diffuse leiomyomatosis: COL4A5-COL4A6 deletion associated with a mild form of Alport nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: The X-linked Alport syndrome (AS) is an inherited nephropathy due to mutations in the COL4A5 gene, encoding the alpha5 chain of type IV collagen, a major component of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). Here, we report a new kindred with the rare association of X-linked AS and diffuse leiomyomatosis (DL), which is a tumourous process involving smooth muscle cells of the oesophagus, the tracheobronchial tree and, in females, the genital tract. For this syndrome, an almost constant association of large COL4A5 rearrangements with a severe juvenile form of nephropathy has been described for male patients. METHODS: DNA rearrangement at the COL4A5-COL4A6 locus was studied in several members of this family using polymerase chain reaction and pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining of tumour and skin samples was performed. RESULTS: The affected patients in this family carry a 120 kb deletion by which the COL4A5 exon 1 and COL4A6 exons 1, 1', and 2 are removed. Immunohistochemical investigation of a skin biopsy of an affected male patient confirmed the absence of both the alpha5 and the alpha6 chains of type IV collagen in the basement membrane of the skin. Surprisingly, both affected male patients had a rather mild renal phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: This report shows that, contrary to what has been reported to date, patients suffering from AS associated with DL can be associated with a late onset renal failure (adult) form of nephropathy.     

De-novo expression of vascular ecto-5′-nucleotidase and down-regulation of glomerular ecto-ATPase in experimental chronic renal transplant failure

Ischemic injury plays an important role in chronic renal transplant failure (CRTF). Down-regulation of ecto-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) in combination with up-regulation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase is a hallmark of ischemic injury. We studied the expression of renal ecto-5'-nucleotidase and ecto-ATPase in experimental renal transplantation. Fisher 344-to-Lewis allografted rats were either treated with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or left untreated. Lewis-to-Lewis syngrafted rats served as controls. Untreated allografted rats developed proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, and mild intimal hyperplasia. ACEi completely prevented focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FGS) and proteinuria, but significantly enhanced intimal hyperplasia. Untreated allografted rats revealed marked vascular ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity, which increased with ACEi. Vascular ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity was absent in syngrafted animals. Ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity correlated well with intimal hyperplasia. Glomerular ecto-ATPase expression was significantly reduced in untreated allografted rats compared to syngrafted rats and correlated well with the extent of FGS. ACEi prevented reduction in glomerular ecto-ATPase. We found de-novo expression of ecto-5'-nucleotidase at sites of renal intimal hyperplasia. Glomerular ecto-ATPase expression was markedly reduced in allografted rats and was prevented by ACEi. These enzyme expression patterns suggest local ischemic damage in experimental CRTF.     

Ursodeoxycholic Acid Enhances Fractional Calcium Absorption in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Bone disease is a frequently reported complication in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), but its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Calcium malabsorption has been considered as an important contributing factor. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the treatment of choice in PBC, improving survival, but its effect on calcium absorption is unknown. In this study, we have measured fractional calcium absorption, using a single isotope method, in a group of female PBC patients (median age: 60 years, range: 46–78 years) and age-matched female controls (median age: 58 years, range: 36–74). Bone mineral density (BMD) in PBC patients was significantly lower than age-matched controls (g/cm²± SEM; lumbar spine: controls 1.139 ± 0.028, PBC patients 1.004 ± 0.026, p= 0.0028; femoral neck: controls 0.944 ± 0.034, PBC patients 0.819 ± 0.023, p = 0.0032). Twenty two PBC patients, who were not vitamin D-deficient, were off and on UDCA for ~1 month and ~8 weeks, respectively. Fractional calcium absorption in PBC patients prior to UDCA treatment (mean ± SEM, 33.8 ± 2.6%) was significantly lower than controls (52.0 ± 2.4%, p<0.001). Following UDCA therapy, fractional calcium absorption increased significantly (Off UDCA: 33.1 ± 2.6%, On UDCA: 36.6 ± 2.5%, p<0.0058). Osteocalcin levels were significantly raised in the PBC group (mean ± SEM, ng/ml, 41.4 ± 2.02) compared to controls (31.1 ± 2.64, p= 0.002). There were no differences in parathyroid hormone (PTH) or 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels between these two groups or following UDCA therapy. In conclusion, we found that PBC patients display low spinal and femoral neck BMD, reduced fractional calcium absorption, and elevated plasma osteocalcin. The calcium malabsorption is corrected partially by UDCA therapy. Long-term studies are required to determine whether this effect can be sustained, and whether a sustained increase in fractional calcium absorption can translate into a favorable change in bone strength in patients with PBC. Received: 27 November 2001 / Accepted: 11 April 2002     

Dihydrotestosterone and the role of 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors in benign prostatic hyperplasia

The genesis of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) depends on two factors: testicular androgen and the aging process. The most important androgen in the prostate is dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In the aging male the level of DHT in the prostate remains largely constant although the plasma level of testosterone decreases. DHT is formed by the reduction of testosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which has two isoenzymes. The 5-alpha-reductase type 2 is the predominant isoenzyme in genital tissue and thus also in the prostate. Finasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, which is applied in the treatment of BHP and male baldness. In the doses used finasteride acts mainly by inhibiting the 5-alpha-reductase type 2, thereby reducing the serum level of DHT by approximately 70% and by about 85-90% in the prostate. Indeed the effect of finasteride in BPH was proven in clinical studies. However, the circulating and intraprostatic DHT could be further reduced by a more effective dual 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, which would be efficacious in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia and other DHT-related disorders.     

Development of a synthetic peptide-based tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase radioimmunoassay for the measurement of bone resorption in rat serum

Selective markers of bone turnover provide a convenient and reproducible alternative to the complex and expensive histochemical techniques used commonly to study the effect of pharmacological agents and the pathogenesis of bone disease in the ovariectomized (OVX) rat model. One marker, which has been specifically linked to terminally differentiated osteoclasts and, thus, provides useful insight at cellular levels, is type-5 tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP). We describe the development of a TRACP radioimmunoassay (RIA), which requires synthetic peptide for antibody development. To develop the RIA, polyclonal antibodies were generated in goats against a synthetic peptide, DPSVRHQRKCY, corresponding to amino acid residues 267–275 of the rat type-5 TRACP sequence. In the RIA, 50 μl of rat serum, 100 μl of goat anti-TRACP antibodies, and 100 μl of tracer were incubated overnight. The antibody-bound fraction was separated, counted, and unknown values were calculated by comparison with the peptide calibrator. Rat serum shows parallelism with the synthetic peptide calibrator used in the RIA. The sensitivity of the RIA was 24.7 μg/l, and the measuring range was 19–2476 μg/l. The average intra-assay coefficients of variation for (CV) two controls were less than 7%. The average dilution and spike recoveries were 107% and 87%, respectively. We applied our peptide-based RIA to study bone resorption in an OVX rat model. TRACP concentrations in serum in 12-week-old OVX Sprague Dawley rats were 14%–22% (P < 0.05) higher than those in the sham-operated rats, and TRACP concentrations in OVX rats treated with estradiol were 24%–32% lower (P < 0.01) than those in the vehicle-treated OVX group. Similarly, as compared with those in OVX rats, TRACP concentrations decreased to those of sham levels in OVX rats receiving 10 μg/kg per day of alendronate for 10 days. In addition, the TRACP levels determined by RIA showed a significant correlation with serum C-telopeptide (type-I collagen) concentrations (r = 0.56; P < 0.001) measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) developed earlier for the rat model. In conclusion, we have developed a TRACP RIA that could be used to monitor the rate of bone resorption in the rat model. Received: June 18, 2001 / Accepted: October 26, 2001     

聚酰胺-氨纳米微粒介导5-氟尿嘧啶联合小RNA-21抑制乳腺癌细胞生长的研究

Objective To study the effect of PAMAM-mediated 5-fluorouracil combined with miR-21 inhibitor gene therapy to suppress MCF-7 human breast cancer cell growth in vitro. Methods 5-Fu/PAMAM complex was prepared by dialysis method and then incubated with miR-21 inhibitor at room temperature. Transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) was performed to observe the morphology of the nanoparticles. The drug loading efficiency and encapsulation efficiency was determined by ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV). The transfection of PAMAM dendrimer was detected by flow cytometry. MTT assay was carried out to determine MCF-7 cell growth survival rate. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow-cytometry. Transwell assay was performed to detect invasion ability after MCF-7 cells treated with 5-Fu chemotherapy combined with miR-21 inhibitor gene therapy. Results The morphology of the complex was sphere observed under TEM. Encapsulation efficiency and loading efficiency of drug were (66. 21±4. 11)% and (31.77±0. 73)% , respectively. Flow cytometry revealed that 5-Fu/PAMAM transfection efficiency was (60.54 ±6. 97)%. 5-Fu combined with miR-21 inhibitor treatment significantly suppressed cell growth, and the survival rate was only (55. 85±3. 71)% on the 6th day of the observation period. The apoptosis rate in combined treatment group was (18. 32±2.42)% , dramatically higher than in control group (F=58. 326,P<0. 01). In combined treatment group, the number of invasion cells was only 18. 96 ±3. 14, suggesting the greatly decreased invasion ability of MCF-7 cells (F=16. 409,P < 0. 01). Conclusion PAMAM could effectively deliver miR-21 inhibitor and 5-Fu simultaneously, and combined therapy can suppress growth of MCF-7 cells effectively in vitro.     

Bisphosphonates in Breast Cancer Patients with Bone Metastases

Morbidity and mortality in breast cancer patients are mainly caused by organ failure as a result of distant metastasis. The main target of metastatic disease is the skeleton (next to lungs and liver). Osseous metastases are diagnosed in 75-80% of all women who die due to breast cancer; and the skeleton is the primary metastatic target organ in more than half of these cases. In Germany, the incidence of breast cancer patients with newly diagnosed bone metastases is approximately 11-12,000 cases. Prevalence might amount to 40,000 cases of women with breast cancer and osseous metastases at a median survival time of 3-4 years. The treatment goal at this stage of the disease comprises improvement of quality of life, and reduction of bone pain and typical complications like fractures and hypercalcemia. By consistent use of bisphosphonates these goals can be accomplished. Bisphosphonates improve bone pain significantly and reduce the number of skeletal-related events in women with bone metastases. Bisphosphonates can be administered intravenously or orally, and are well tolerated. Nevertheless, there are side effects and complications including acute phase reaction, nephrotoxicity, osteonecrosis of the jaw, and gastrointestinal disturbances.     

结直肠癌γ-synuclein基因启动子CpG岛的去甲基化及其临床意义

目的 探讨结直肠癌中γ-synuclein基因的表达与启动子区CpG岛甲基化修饰之间的关系,以及γ-synuclein基因去甲基化水平与结直肠癌临床病理特征的关系.方法 采用半定量RT-PCR法检测30例结直肠癌和相应癌旁组织中γ-synuclein基因的表达及去甲基化试剂5-杂氮-2＇-脱氧胞苷（5-Aza-C）干预对结直肠癌细胞COLO205、LoVo和SW480的γ-synuclein基因表达的影响.采用亚硫酸氢盐修饰测序（BSP）法检测5-Aza-C处理前后CpG岛的甲基化情况.采用巢式甲基化PCR（NMSP）及实时荧光定量MSP法检测67例结直肠癌组织和30例相应癌旁组织中γ-synuclein基因的甲基化状态,并分析其与临床病理特征的关系.结果结直肠癌组织中γ-synuclein mRNA的表达水平0.66±0.34,高于相应癌旁组织的0.45±0.26,差异有统计学意义（P=0.011）.5-Aza-C处理后,COLO205、LoVo和SW480细胞γ-synuclein mRNA表达水平明显上升,同时γ-synuclein基因启动子区CpG岛的甲基化水平明显降低.80.0%（24/30）的结直肠癌组织和50.0%（15/30）的相应癌旁组织的γ-synuclein基因被去甲基化,结直肠癌组织中γ-synuclein基因去甲基化的趋势明显强于相应癌旁组织（P=0.030）.γ-synuclein基因的去甲基化水平与结直肠癌的淋巴结转移、临床病理分期及远处转移有关.结论 结直肠癌中γ-synuclein基因的上调表达与启动子区CpG岛的去甲基化状态有一定关联,γ-synuclein基因的去甲基化水平有望成为结直肠癌患者判断预后的潜在标志物.     

α-硫辛酸对阻塞性黄疸大鼠肝细胞线粒体内能量代谢保护作用及机制

目的 探讨α-硫辛酸对阻塞性黄疸大鼠肝细胞线粒体内能量代谢的保护作用及其机制. 方法 将72只SD雄性大鼠随机分为对照组(SO组),胆总管结扎+0.9%氯化钠溶液组(BDL+NS组),胆总管结扎α-硫辛酸组(BDL+LA组).分别于术后7 d、14 d和2l d检测肝细胞线粒体内MDA、SOD、ATP、ADP和AMP含量并计算总腺苷酸(TAN)和能荷(EC). 结果 BDL+NS组各时间点肝细胞线粒体内MDA、ADP、AMP含量明显升高,而SOD、ATP、EC含量却明显降低.胆总管结扎7 d、14 d时,肝细胞线粒体内MDA含量BDL+LA组比BDL+NS组低,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01);2l d时,AMP、MDA含量BDL+NS组和BDL+LA中都更进一步升高,但两组比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).胆总管结扎7 d、14 d时,肝细胞线粒体内SOD含量、ATP含量BDL+LA组比BDL+NS组下降程度有显著性差异(7 d,P＜0.01;14 d,P＜0.05);21 d时,两组肝细胞线粒体内SOD含量都进一步下降,但差异无统计学意义(p＞0.05). 结论 α-硫辛酸在阻塞性黄疸早、中期有保护线粒体能量代谢作用,减轻了阻塞性黄疸时肝的损伤.     

丹酚酸B和高氧液对兔肢体缺血再灌注损伤代谢酶的影响

目的探讨高氧液和丹酚酸B对肢体缺血再灌注损伤的影响。方法选用健康新西兰家兔24只,随机分为4组,在缺血前从耳缘静脉推注等量的生理盐水(A组)、高氧液(B组)、丹酚酸B(C组)或高氧液加丹酚酸B(D组),夹阻股动静脉,建立肢体缺血再灌注损伤模型,在缺血前和再灌注4h抽血检测LDH、CK,取腓肠肌作LDH酶组织化学染色。结果再灌注4h,血清肌酸激酶活性较前明显升高,高氧液和丹酚酸B可以抑制其升高(P0.01),两者有协同作用(P=0.05);血清乳酸脱氢酶活性较前明显升高,高氧液和丹酚酸B可以抑制其升高(P0.01),两者有协同作用(P0.01)。LDH酶组织化学显色见:相对于对照组其他组组织织LDH酶活性较低,以联合用药组最低。结论高氧液和丹酚酸B对缺血再灌注损伤起预防作用,而且两者有协同作用。