草酸钙结石形成对肾组织bikunin和IαI表达的影响

目的研究肾草酸钙结石形成对肾组织bikunin基因和间α胰蛋白酶抑制物(IαI)蛋白表达的影响,探讨bikunin在尿结石形成中的意义。方法诱导实验性大鼠肾草酸钙结石模型,收集结石大鼠、正常大鼠、临床肾结石和非结石患者每组各8例的肾组织标本。采用免疫组化、逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和计算机图像分析技术分别检测所有大鼠和人肾组织中bikuninmRNA和IαI蛋白的表达水平。结果正常大鼠和非结石患者肾组织均存在bikuninmRNA和IαI蛋白的表达。肾草酸钙结石形成后,结石大鼠肾组织IαI蛋白的灰度值和bikuninmRNA的相对表达水平分别为198.43±15.17、0.70±0.14;肾结石患者肾组织IαI蛋白的灰度值和bikuninmRNA的相对表达水平分别为263.25±17.41、1.27±0.13,分别和对照组相比,均显著增加(P<0.05)。结论Bikunin作为构成IαI的轻链结构,在肾草酸钙结石形成后,bikuninmRNA的表达迅速增强,提示机体通过肾脏合成更多的bikunin来抑制肾草酸钙结石的形成。     

Thyrotrophin-Releasing Hormone Raises Cytosolic Free Calcium Concentration in Human Adenomatous Somatotrophs and Corticotrophs; Comparison with in vivo Responsiveness to Thyrotrophin-Releasing Hormone in Patients with Acromegaly or Cushing's Disease

The effect of thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) on intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration, [Ca²⁺)i, was investigated with the fluorescent dye fura-2 in cell suspensions obtained from 13 human growth hormone-secreting adenomas and 6 adrenocorticotrophin-secreting adenomas. Preoperatively, 9 out of 13 acromegalic patients showed a positive growth hormone response to TRH administration while none of the 6 patients with Cushing's disease had a plasma adrenocorticotrophin increase after TRH injection. In all the growth hormone-secreting adenomas the addition of TRH (100 nM) caused a significant rise in [Ca²⁺]i (from a resting level of 133±40 (±SD) to a value of 284±119 nM at 100 nM TRH, n = 42; P<0.001). The transient induced by TRH was found to have a dual origin, one due to Ca²⁺ mobilization from intracellular stores which was maintained in presence of EGTA (3mM) and verapamil (10 μM) and a plateau phase due to Ca²⁺ influx from the extracellular media. Somatostatin (0.1 μM) lowered both resting [Ca²⁺]i and TRH-induced transients. The effect of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone on [Ca²⁺]i was evaluated on cell suspensions obtained from 6 growth hormone-secreting adenomas. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (100 nM) caused a marked rise in [Ca²⁺]i (from 179±25 to 283±15nM) on the cell suspension obtained from the only in vivo responsive adenoma while it was ineffective in the remaining 5. Although TRH was ineffective in modifying plasma adrenocorticotrophin levels in all patients with Cushing's disease, in 5 out of 6 tumors the addition of 100 nM TRH caused a significant rise in [Ca²⁺]i (from 102.5 ± 36 to 163±66 nM, n = 22; P < 0.005). However, the effect of TRH on [Ca²⁺]i was significantly lower than that caused by arginine vasopressin, a physiological stimulator of adrenocorticotrophin release ([Ca²⁺]i values; 145±78 nM at 100 nM TRH versus 300±140 at 10 nM arginine vasopressin, n = 15; P<0.05). Moreover, the effect of arginine vasopressin on [Ca²⁺]i was detectable at concentrations as low as 0.1 nM while TRH was effective at concentrations higher than 1 nM. By contrast, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone was ineffective in increasing [Ca²]i in all the adrenocorticotrophin-secreting adenomas studied. Collectively, these data indicate that sensitivity to TRH is present in almost all the growth hormone- and adrenocorticotrophin-secreting adenomas independently of the responsiveness of the individual patients to the peptide.     

Fibronectin inhibits endocytosis of calcium oxalate crystals by renal tubular cells

BACKGROUND: Fibronectin (FN; 230 kDa) is a multifunctional alpha2-glycoprotein distributed throughout the extracellular matrix and body fluids. We recently reported that FN has a protective effect against injury of renal tubular cells by exposure to oxalate and calcium oxalate (CaOX) crystals and inhibits the adhesion of CaOX crystals to renal tubular cells. In the study presented here, we investigated whether FN has inhibitory effect on crystal endocytosis by renal tubular cells. METHODS: The inhibitory effect of FN on endocytosis of CaOX crystals by MDCK cells was examined by using a radioactivity uptake assay. Also, crystal endocytosis by cells was morphologically assessed by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: FN had inhibitory effects on CaOX crystal endocytosis by MDCK cells. The morphological TEM study showed that few crystals were taken into cells when FN was added compared to the number of crystals when FN was not added. CONCLUSION: We found that FN had the inhibitory effects on the interaction between crystals and renal tubular cells, including the adhesion or endocytosis of crystals by cells.     

Blood pressure lowering effect of the aqueous extract of the stem of Ipomoea acanthocarpa (convolvulaceae) in spontaneously and salt-loaded hypertensive rats

Spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and salt-loaded hypertensive rats (SLHR) were submitted to a daily treatment by gavage of 2 mL/100 g body weight of the aqueous extract of the stem of Ipomoea acanthocarpa (30 mg/mL stock solution). A fall in blood pressure of nearly 13% was observed after two successive administrations of the aqueous extract. After 14 days of treatment, the blood pressure fell by more than 30±8%. The hypotensive effect might be due to a direct vascular smooth muscle effect or to its already observed high diuretic effects or might be acting by some other mechanism.     

RELAXATION OF MESENTERIC ARTERY OF STROKE PRONE SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS BY CALCIUM REMOVAL

1. The time courses of the relaxation, induced by removal of extracellular Ca2+, of K-depolarized mesenteric artery preparations from stroke prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were compared. 2. The time course of the decline in extracellular Ca2+ was estimated from the time course of the relaxation and the concentration-response curve of K(+)-depolarized preparations to Ca2+. The time course of the decline in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration was also estimated from the reported relation between Ca2+ concentration and the contraction of skinned vascular smooth muscle. 3. The time course of relaxation was exponential, the curve being made up of three components. The time course was slower in preparations from SHRSP, especially the first component of the relaxation curve. 4. The time courses of the decline in the intracellular and extracellular Ca2+ concentrations were also exponential, being made up of three components and were also slower in the preparation made from SHRSP. 5. The wall and muscle layer of the mesenteric arteries used in the present experiments were significantly thicker in the SHRSP preparations. 6. Calculation of the half relaxation time, based on the diffusion of Ca2+ across the blood vessel wall, suggested that the slower relaxation in preparations from SHRSP is due largely to the thicker muscle layer, although differences in Ca2+ sequestration by the smooth muscle cells may also be involved.     

五味子酚对大鼠嗜中性白细胞功能与形态的作用(英文)

目的:探讨五味子酚(Sal)对大鼠嗜中性白细胞(Neu)功能的调节作用.结果:Sal 1,10,100μmol·L~(-1)剂量依赖性抑制Neu功能,Sal 100μmol·L~(-1)使Neu表面伪足和皱褶消失,并可降低细胞内钙离子浓度、升高细胞内cAMP水平.结论:Sal可通过影响细胞内钙离子浓度、cAMP水平及细胞表面形态抑制Neu的功能.     

Treatment of labial fenestration of maxillary central incisor

Abstract A case of external inflammatory root resorption and labial fenestration in a maxillary central incisor is presented. The root canal was dressed with pure calcium hydroxide mixed with normal saline for 1 month before it was obturated with gutta percha and apicoectomy surgery undertaken to attempt primary closure of the fenestration. The PDL and the fenestration healed uneventfully.     

Osteoporosis and Coronary Atherosclerosis in Asymptomatic Postmenopausal Women

Estrogen deficiency is a risk factor for osteoporosis and coronary artery disease. Osteoporosis can be evaluated by measuring bone mineral density (BMD). Coronary atherosclerotic burden can be evaluated by measuring coronary calcium using electron beam computed tomography (EBT) of the heart. We compared coronary calcium scores in 45 asymptomatic postmenopausal women with normal and low BMD. BMD of the lumbar spine and proximal femur was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and coronary calcium was measured quantitatively by EBT. Women were divided into control, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups based on the T score of the lumbar spine. Women were similar in age, years since menopause, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). BMD ± SD (g/cm²) of L1–L4 was 0.96 ± 0.11, 0.83 ± 0.03, and 0.73 ± 0.05, in control, osteopenia, and osteoporosis group, respectively. The total coronary calcium score ± SD (relative units) was 41.9 ± 83.1, 115.1 ± 181.9, and 221.7 ± 355.4 for control, osteopenia, and osteoporosis group, respectively; the score was significantly higher in the osteoporosis than in the control group. This study provides initial data suggesting that women with osteoporosis may have a higher risk of developing coronary atherosclerosis.     

EFFECT OF CROSS-FOSTERING ON NEONATAL SODIUM BALANCE AND ADULT BLOOD PRESSURE IN THE SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RAT

1. The aim of the present study was to compare electrolyte handling in naturally reared neonatal spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with those reared by a Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat foster mother (denoted SHRX), as cross-fostering SHR pups to a WKY rat dam lowers adult blood pressure in the SHR. 2. The electrolyte content of WKY rat and SHR dams’ milk was determined and electrolyte intake and urinary excretion rates were calculated in both naturally reared and cross-fostered WKY rat and SHR pups. 3. The milk sodium concentration fell in both strains (WKY rat: 31.8 ± 2.0 to 15.2 ± 1.2 mmol/L; SHR 31.9 ± 2.5 to 18.2 ± 1.6 mmol/L; P < 0.001), as did potassium (P < 0.001), over lactation, but there were no differences between strains. Calcium and magnesium concentrations increased (P< 0.001), although SHR dam's milk contained less calcium (P < 0.001) than that of WKY rat dams during the third week of lactation. 4. Spontaneously hypertensive rat pups ingested less milk (P<0.05) than WKY rat pups; therefore, their cumulative sodium intake over postnatal days 4–15 was significantly lower than that of WKY rat pups (WKY rat vs SHR: 84.4 ± 3.6 vs 59.7 ± 2.6 μmol/g bodyweight, respectively; P < 0.05) and fostered SHRX pups (77.7 ± 7.0 μmol/g bodyweight; P < 0.05). Potassium and magnesium intakes were comparable between SHR, WKY rat and SHRX pups, but SHR pups ingested significantly less calcium than either WKY rat pups (136.1 ± 6.4 vs 200.1 ± 9.5p, mol/g bodyweight, respectively; P<0.05) or SHRX pups (200.0 ± 18.0 μmol/g bodyweight; P<0.05). 5. These data show that the neonatal SHR experiences a period of sodium deficiency during the developmental stage when cross-fostering is effective in lowering blood pressure. This is consistent with the reported up-regulation of the renin-angiotensin system observed in SHR at this time and may have a long-term influence on blood pressure.     

Morphological types of ganglion cells in the dog and wolf retina.

The morphological types of ganglion cells in the dog and wolf retina were studied by intracellular staining with Lucifer Yellow. These retinae contain a range of ganglion cell types that closely correspond to those found in cat retina: alpha cells with large somata and large, relatively densely branched dendritic trees; beta cells with medium-sized somata and small, densely branched dendritic trees; and a variety of other types with smaller somata and varying dendritic branching patterns and dendritic field sizes. The correspondence of canine and cat ganglion cell types strengthens the view that there is a common set of ganglion cell types in carnivores. Alpha and beta cell dendritic trees of dog and wolf are monostratified in either the inner or the outer part of the inner plexiform layer, suggesting an on/off dichotomy in the response to light. Dendritic field sizes of dog alpha and beta cells increase from the central area to peripheral retina: alpha cell fields from 160-200 microns to about 1,100 microns diameter, and beta cell fields from 25 microns to about 360 microns diameter. These sizes are quantitatively very similar to those found in cat retina. The close qualitative and quantitative morphological correspondence of cat and dog ganglion cells suggests that they are also functionally very similar. It is likely that dog alpha cells have brisk-transient (Y), and dog beta cells brisk-sustained (X) concentric receptive fields. From the smallest beta cell sizes it is concluded that the visual acuity of the dog may be as good as that of the cat.