Effects of a hexane extract from Laurus novocanariensis leaves on the ethanol metabolism of Wistar rats

A hexane extract from the leaves of Laurus novocanariensis was investigated for its activity on ethanol metabolism in Wistar rats. The extract could interfere with blood ethanol elevation, the induction of gastric alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and the reduction of erythrocyte catalase (CAT). The sesquiterpene lactones dehydrocostus lactone and costunolide were identified in the active extract, and might represent its active constituents. These results support the use of L. novocanariensis in the traditional Madeira Island medicine to protect against ethanol injury.     

Wnt/β-catenin信号途径与早期内胚层及相关器官的发育

介绍早期胚胎发育中Wnt/β-catenin信号途径对早期内胚层以及肝脏、胰腺、肠等内胚层器官发育的影响和相关的分子机制。     

银杏茶对酒精性肝损伤血清MDA和SOD的影响

[目的]探讨银杏茶、加硒银杏茶及加锌银杏茶对酒精性肝损伤小鼠丙二醛（MDA）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）的影响。[方法]将50只雄性昆明种小鼠随机分为5组（空白对照组、模型对照组、银杏茶组、银杏茶加硒组和银杏茶加锌组）,分别给药30 d后,按试剂盒说明测定血清中MDA含量和SOD活力。[结果]与模型对照组相比银杏茶、加硒银杏茶及加锌银杏茶能明显降低小鼠血清MDA含量（P〈0.05）和提高SOD活力（P〈0.05）。[结论]银杏茶、加硒银杏茶及加锌银杏茶具有降低小鼠MDA含量和提高SOD活力的能力,并且具有保护小鼠肝脏的作用。     

不同猪种肝脏中 CstB 基因的表达研究

为了研究Cst B基因在大白猪、野猪及野家杂交猪肝脏组织中表达情况,采用RT-PCR技术对不同品种猪只进行检测,结果表明,肝脏中Cst B基因的表达在90,180,360日龄的大白猪表达量较低,其他个体表达量相对较高。     

高氟低碘对老年大鼠肝脏细胞DNA损伤的影响

[目的]研究高氟低碘对大鼠肝脏细胞DNA损伤的影响。[方法]离乳Wistar大鼠21只,随机分为4组：①CK（5只）,饲喂大鼠标准饲料,饮自来水;②高氟组（5只）,饲喂大鼠正常饲料,饮100mg/L氟化钠（NaF）去离子水;③低碘组（5只）,饲喂低碘饲料（定做）,饮去离子水;④高氟低碘组（6只）,饲喂低碘饲料,饮100mg/L氟化钠（NaF）去离子水。在大鼠20月龄时,处死取肝脏组织,检查其DNA的损伤情况。[结果]与①CK相比,②、③和④的老年大鼠肝细胞拖尾率显著增高（P〈0.01）;②、③和④的老年大鼠肝细胞的拖尾长度亦显著增长（P〈0.01）;肝细胞DNA损伤分级结果显示,②（高氟组）老年大鼠肝细胞DNA损伤主要是Ⅱ级、Ⅲ级。③（低碘组）肝细胞DNA几乎全部损伤,主要是Ⅲ级损伤。④（高氟低碘组）的细胞损伤以Ⅲ级损伤为主。[结论]高氟、低碘、高氟低碘都影响了大鼠肝脏细胞DNA的损伤。     

Descriptive Study of 32 Cases of Doxycycline‐Overdosed Calves

Background: Reports of doxycycline‐induced toxicity are limited despite common use of this antibiotic to treat infectious respiratory disorders in calves. Objective: To describe previously unreported kidney lesions and diagnostic test results in doxycycline‐overdosed calves and to compare these results with other findings reported previously. Animals: Thirty‐two calves that presented with adverse effects after receiving high doses of doxycycline as a treatment for mild respiratory disorders. Method: Retrospective review of medical records. Results: Clinical examination identified mainly lethargy, dyspnea, cough, tongue paresia or paralysis associated with dysphagia and sialorrhea, tachycardia, tachypnea, and signs of myopathy. Blood analysis indicated increases in creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities and increased serum creatinine and urea concentrations. ECG recordings and Doppler echocardiography examination identified ventricular premature beats and a decrease in left ventricular global and systolic function, respectively. Necropsy and histopathology disclosed necrosis of the myocardium, tongue, and some striated muscles, acute renal tubular necrosis, and fatty degeneration or congestion of the liver. Conclusions: Most of these findings corroborate previous observations made in doxycycline‐overdosed calves, and further suggest myocardial and striated muscular toxicity as well as renal toxicity in doxycycline‐overdosed calves.     

Roles of four liver cells in regulation of PA-plasmin system during liver fibrogenesis in rats

AIM: To investigate the roles of hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), Kupffer cells (KCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) in the regulation of PA-plasmin system during liver fibrogenesis in rats. METHODS: Experimental liver fibrosis was induced in rats by injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) twice a week for 12 weeks. Four kinds of liver cells were separated from the normal and fibrotic livers of the rats. The expression levels of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), uPA receptor (uPAR) and PA inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in liver cells were determined by Northern and Western blotting. RESULTS: The expression of PAI-1 and uPAR was markedly increased in HSCs during liver fibrosis in rats as compared to those in the ECs. CONCLUSION: HSCs and ECs may play very important roles in the regulation of PA-plasmin system during liver fibrogenesis in rats. The activated HSCs are main cells to secrete PAI-1 and uPAR.     

Mutations of K-ras oncogene in primary colorectal tumors,related liver metastases and portal vein blood of patients with colorectal cancer

AIM: To evaluate the concordance of K-ras oncogene mutations in primary colorectal tumors, liver metastases and portal vein blood of the patients with colorectal cancer, and to find out the relationship between mutated K-ras oncogene and liver metastases in colorectal cancer.METHODS: Fifty-nine patients with colorectal cancer were screened for the mutations of K-ras oncogene in the tissue samples of primary tumors, portal vein blood and liver metastases (only 15 cases of the 59 patients) by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and DNA sequencing. The results were also analyzed with the clinical data of the patients.RESULTS: Point mutations of K-ras were found in the primary tumors in 20 (33.9%) of the 59 patients with colorectal cancer, and 18 (30.5%) of the 59 patients in their portal vein blood. K-ras mutations in 8 (53.3%) of 15 liver metastases were also detected. No significant difference among the rates of K-ras mutation in primary tumor tissues, portal vein blood and related liver metastases was observed (P>0.05). Eighteen cases with mutated K-ras gene in portal vein blood showed the mutations in primary tumor tissues. The patients without mutated K-ras gene in primary tumor tissue also showed negative mutation of K-ras in the portal vein blood. The mutated K-ras gene in both liver metastase and portal vein blood were detected in 8 of the 15 cases with liver metastases, and no mutated K-ras gene was detected in the others with liver metastases. The main types of K-ras mutations found in primary tumors, liver metastases (5 simultaneous, 2 metachronous) and portal vein blood were GGT to GAT and GGT to GTT at codon 12. A K-ras mutation at codon 13 (GGC to GAC) was found in one case with metachronous liver metastases. The rate of concordance of K-ras status between primary tumors and portal vein blood was 96.6%. Detection of K-ras mutations in liver metastases was accordant with that in portal vein blood, but the type of K-ras mutation was partially discordant.CONCLUSION: The K-ras mutations in primary tumors, liver metastases and portal vein blood of patients with colorectal cancer are concordant, and mutated K-ras detected in both cancer tissue and portal vein blood may indicate liver micrometastases from colorectal cancer.